According to the latest plastic industry news from Europe, Italian blow moulding machinery maker Sipa is all set to join hands with Athena Automation. The move was taken after viewing the fact that there is a need for a system that could improve our work efficacy and demand.
blow moulding machinery maker Sipa is teaming up with Athena Automation – founded by Robert Schad of Husky Injection Molding systems fame – to build a line of automated PET preform injection and blow moulding equipment. The partenship between the Sipa and Athena Automation is announced on 18 December.
Sipa and Athena Automation announced the partnership on 18 December.
Athena Automation has been working for three years on a platform. Schad said the injection moulding machine is a hybrid that combines hydraulic and electric power. Athena Automation, based in Ontario, Canada, is working with Sipa on the PET preform machine. But Schad said the company will do direct sales of the machine to other end markets, including custom moulding. At NPE2012, Sipa introduced the XFORM preform injection moulding machine and the companies said the Athena machines are a complement to XFORM.
In 2005, Schad retired from Husky, the maker of injection molding machines, robots and hot runners that he founded in 1953. He spent more time at Earth Rangers, his programme to teach schoolchildren about environmental responsibility. Shareholders, including Schad, a major stockholder, sold Husky in late 2007.
Schad told Plastics News that Athena Automation is looking at expansion.
“We have a very nice building and we have lots of land around it,” he said.
At 84 years old, Schad remains energetic.
“I’m very active,” he said. “I’ve got to have something to do.”
The move is going to be a milestone in the European plastic industry as it would help manage congregating all the parties under one umbrella and so that they can work more effectively for the production of high molders.
