starlim North America will grow
Doubling by 2.5 times
Even if the surface area in Canada is a little different than in Austria – Canada is 119 times the size of Austria in terms of area – this expansion is also a big thing for Canada. starlim North America, a subsidiary of starlim Austria, is in the process of expanding its location in London / Ontario on a large scale. The existing building area is around 7,500 m2, with an additional 16,000 m2 being built, which means a 2.5-fold increase in the current building area. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in September 2016, and completion is scheduled for April 2018 after just 18 months of construction.
The expansion will take place in two steps. A new office area, break rooms, a fitness center and an enlarged warehouse will be implemented in the first construction phase. In phase 2, three new production ships, a clean room and various ancillary rooms follow.
Why this giant step?
“Quite simply. Because we need it”, Thomas Bründl, Managing Director of starlim North America and starlim Austria, confirms the ambitious expansion plan. “We opened the plant in London in 2005 to serve the American market with silicone parts on site. As before we have great potential, the order books are full, our halls are equipped with injection molding machines down to the last inch, we need space! ”31 million Canadian dollars, the equivalent of around 22-24 million euros, will be invested in the expansion.
For the current 62 employees, the expansion also means many new colleagues. The number of employees will increase to at least 120 by 2020. The target sales figures also go in the same direction. A doubling from 20 to 40 million USD is planned by 2020.
Think big
Although starlim produces small parts from silicone, the group of companies thinks big. “The expansion at SNA is not the first major addition in the starlim group, but the first on this scale that will be carried out in one piece,” says CEO Bründl. There are still many plans. The location in Marchtrenk is currently being expanded in the area of toolmaking and logistics. “We are the largest processor of liquid silicone worldwide – and we want to stay that way.”
