Company Profile
US Extruders manufactures custom single screw extruders, extrusion systems and screws for plastic, rubber & silicone. Each machine or project is a user-focused design, built to unique specs. The machine manufacturer operates a 47,700 sq ft facility in Westerly, RI that runs on 100% solar power, one example of the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Situation
The company has experienced steady growth since its founding in 2017. In 2020, US Extruders President challenged his team to become the subject matter experts in extrusion plastics recycling. Specifically, the company wanted to pursue an innovative idea for recycling fishing nets made of polymers (plastics).
The company wanted to hire team members to invest time in research and training. At the time, however, US Extruders was considering a facility expansion and dealing with the global pandemic; time was precious.
Business Development lead John Riendeau, who had worked with Polaris MEP previously, reached out to Rhode Island’s MEP Center to leverage their employee development resources.
IMPACTS
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$500,000 in retained sales |
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$20,000 in Cost savings | |
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2 new jobs; 1 employee position retained | |
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More than $20,000 invested in new equipment and information systems |
The expertise, the skilled staff, and the understanding that the MEP program nationally and Polaris MEP in particular has, all contributed to growing our knowledge base about plastics and plastics recycling. I just encourage people to pick up the phone and reach out to Polaris MEP.
John Riendeau
Business Development lead, US Extruders
Solution
The Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training had tapped Polaris MEP to lead a workforce initiative called “Machine & Marine,” leveraging CARES ACT funding to support hiring and training of employees.
US Extruders had an assembler on staff named Brandon Mello with a passion for R&D. Polaris MEP guided Riendeau through the application process for reimbursed wages and internal training. The “Machine & Marine” program provided some incentives for the company to support Brandon and a second employee. We ended up hiring two people courtesy of the program. The rest is history – it worked!”
Mello noted that he had a diverse manufacturing skillset but “I had no experience with plastics. So, when I came to US Extruders, it was amazing. I was able to work with the director of process technology almost daily, learning the ins and outs of the plastic industry, and how various resins will work in extrusion.”
Results
Mello went from assembler to an integral part of the team researching and testing plastic recycling and extrusion. Today he is managing the company’s new R&D lab.
Mello said that the time in intensive learning was thanks to the workforce training funding. “We’re not worrying about a bottom line in that situation. We’re more focused on innovation and improving technology. It’s much more proactive.”
Riendeau and Mello later tapped into Polaris MEP’s local industry connections as they began to explore and test recycling of other plastics. A Polaris MEP Project Manager connected them to a local fabric company, expediting research into recycling polyester (PET).
“The expertise, the skilled staff, and the understanding that the MEP program nationally and Polaris MEP in particular has, all contributed to growing our knowledge base about plastics and plastics recycling,” said Riendeau. “I just encourage people to pick up the phone and reach out to Polaris MEP.”