Due to its 80% wood content, Re-Wood has different physical properties than pure plastics. Nevertheless, it can be processed in a standard plasticising process without any adjustments to the screw geometry or non-return valve. One thing in particular should be noted for the injection parameters: Re-Wood does not shrink - so care should be taken when reprinting.

German SMEs are family-run, think in terms of generations and are committed to sustainability. This coincides with the interests of parents. They want their children's products to be natural, durable and, above all, safe to use. Wissner GmbH (Bensheim, Germany) combines everything: its teaching materials and games are mainly made from Re-Wood, a recycled material developed in-house. No additional trees have to be felled for it, as it is based on regional wood flour. Combined with a binder, either recycled plastic or biopolymer, Wissner brings it to granulate size and to the injection moulding machines - all CX from KraussMaffei with clamping forces of 500 to 1,300 kN.

Winther Mould brings 56 years of experience in design for manufacturing (DFM), mold design and manufacturing, and testing and validation to the MGS portfolio. In partnering with Winther Mould, MGS said it will add complex, premium-quality tooling and moldmaking capacity and expertise to its international network of tooling, automation, and manufacturing capabilities. MGS currently operates from 12 locations in the United States, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

When the company began developing Re-Wood around ten years ago, the focus was on regional raw materials, environmentally friendly production, freedom from harmful substances and durability. It also had to be stable and saliva-proof - after all, the products are also intended for small children. Given the company's history, combining wood and plastic was an almost logical step, as Wissner started out as a joinery in 1976, followed later by plastics processing, and in 2007 the first CX machines from KraussMaffei moved in. Around 25 employees produce items such as geometric solids, slide rules and peg cubes. The traditional focus is on teaching materials for schools and kindergartens, with the games sector becoming increasingly important.

In addition to its own products, such as the number game “Hexagon”, Wissner also offers its expertise to major players in the games industry. The industry as a whole is currently endeavouring to relocate production processes from South East Asia back to Europe. For example, the well-known Halma men are now available in Re-Wood in the special colors purple and natural. A total of 80% of Wissner's turnover comes from abroad. The pricing must therefore also be attractive for less affluent regions. The efficient processing of the future material Re-Wood on the CX machines is the prerequisite for this.

At the blackboard in school - the large one-metre ruler in hand: many have already had contact with the products of Wissner GmbH. The company is also a technological innovation and has created its own recycling material, Re-Wood. It is processed on injection moulding machines from the KraussMaffei CX series with standard plasticising.

“We celebrate this new growth milestone for MGS, which further strengthens our offer of unparalleled tooling capacity to ensure the seamless launch of large-scale programs. Our expanding global footprint continues to provide healthcare innovators with end-to-end support for new product introductions and ongoing production,” said Paul Manley, president and CEO of MGS. “MGS and Winther Mould share a strong customer focus and commitment to agility and reliability. Together, we are poised to deliver unmatched value, precision, and dedication to our global customers to accelerate the development of innovations that improve lives,” said Manley.

MGS Mfg. Group Inc., a global supplier of end-to-end manufacturing services to the healthcare industry, has acquired Danish tooling manufacturer Winther Mould Technology A/S. The investment in additional tooling capacity and expertise continues its strategic growth as a leading provider of high-precision plastic solutions for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medtech applications, said MGS in the announcement dated Oct. 2, 2023.

Unlike real wood, Re-Wood building blocks can withstand cleaning in the dishwasher, they are very strong, almost infinitely durable and, if they do wear out, can be recycled again and again. Wissner even takes back Re-Wood products that are no longer needed. Building blocks & co. can be coated using drum coating, for example, and printing is also possible. Wissner also processes Re-Plastic, which consists of 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

It’s the second acquisition of a Danish company by MGS this year. In June, it brought Technolution under its wing, a consultancy that provides R&D, regulatory compliance, quality, and project management assistance to companies in the pharma and medtech sectors.