Specialist injection moulder for the automotive industry Sanko Gosei UK (Skelmersdale / UK; www.sankogosei.com) is increasing its manufacturing capacity with the addition of four new machines. The machines form the bulk of a GBP 2.5m (EUR 3m) investment that also includes improvements to the plant’s existing painting capability. They will be used to mould both interior cockpit components and exterior parts for subsequent export to car companies outside the UK.

Two of the new machines have clamp capacities of 2,700 t and 2,000 t, respectively. The other two are electric machines in the 250-400 t range. The 2,000 t model is scheduled to be installed in April, with the remainder following progressively over the next one to two months. When completed, the plant will have 19 injection moulding machines. Included are facilities for gas-assisted moulding, overmoulding and in-mould decoration. Operations director Wayne Ash said operations at the site are automated as much as possible but the machine investment will require the addition of more staff.

The timing of the investment, which has been fully supported by the parent company in Japan, is regarded as a positive signal both for the future of the Skelmersdale plant and the group’s activities across Europe, since Sanko Gosei UK is in charge of the group’s European production operations in Belgium, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Expansion is also planned at the factory in Hungary during 2012.