Large Floorspace for Small Parts

„The floorspace of the Marchtrenk facility will be increased by 17.500 sqm, which equals about 70% of the existing floorspace. This will allow us to add another 120 injection moulding machines to our machinery and 150 employees to our workforce”, announces Thomas Bründl, CEO of the starlim//sterner group.

The expansion was already decided before the crisis but was stalled temporarily. With the turn of the year, the groundbreaking in November 2010 brought starlim//sterner into the next round of expansion and heralded the construction of a new building which represents an investment of EUR 10 Mio.

Completion already in first Quarter 2012
Already now, before the expansion, 25.000 sqm production-only floorspace give place for 200 injection molding machines. 17.500 additional sqm, which is 70% of the existing floorspace, shall be commissioned in the first quarter of next year giving place for an additional 120 moulding machines. These machines will produce technical parts made of Liquid Silicone Rubber and supply the automotive, medical and baby goods markets. Thomas Bründl claims the need for flexibility to be the main drive behind the narrow timeline: “Our customers want to be served immediately and an increased number of production systems on hand decreases lead time and accelerates service to our customers. - And our injection moulding machines need a lot of floorspace.”

Headcount grows with the investment
Right now, the company employs 440 men and women. “We plan
on a medium term increase in headcount of 150 to 200 employees”, says Mr. Bründl looking forward. Last year, more than 60 additional men and women have been hired. This was, not least, caused by an expansion of the captive toolshop and the purchase of a second production site end of 2009. This site in the neighbouring Weisskirchen gives work to approx. 20 employees.

Upgrading of the site and increased flexibility
For starlim//sterner the extension is mainly an upgrade of the Marchtrenk facility which is the main plant of the group. The company operates internationally and runs other subsidiaries in Canada, Germany, Italy and Austria. The performance of the “flagship” Marchtrenk will improve even more.