Robert Schad, the founder of Husky Injection Molding Systems and one of the most famous entrepreneurs in Canadian plastics history, died in Toronto on July 11 at age 95.

Schad retired from Husky in 2005 and sold the company in 2007, but wasn’t done with the industry yet – in 2008, on the cusp of turning 80, he founded injection molding machine maker Athena Automation, in Vaughan, Ont. Athena developed a rugged, accurate, and flexible two-platen machine platform, and then changed its name to Niigon Machines Ltd. in 2018. But the company struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and went out of business in 2021.

In January 2024, BP&R Magazine visited Billion UK Ltd's managing director, Simon Johnson (SJ), in Milton Keynes. Leading since 2021 and with the company since 2018, he has guided Billion UK, a key subsidiary of Billion SAS, in providing a wide range of injection moulding machines from 40 tonnes to 1100 tonnes. Alongside these, Billion UK supplies Cartesian robots and additional injection units, all complemented by the user-friendly Dixit 4 control system.

SJ: Current market trends are steering towards enhanced machine efficiency, with a notable rise in demand for twin-shot machines, reflecting a preference for more sophisticated outputs straight from the moulding process.

Schad also founded Husky’s hot runner division in Milton, Vt., which became an industry leader in hot runners for high-cavitation injection molds.

Born in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1928, Schad trained as a tool and die maker and then emigrated to Canada in 1951, arriving with $25 in his pocket and a letter of reference from family friend Albert Einstein.

Moreover, our competitive edge is further sharpened by our advantageous pricing and the strong relationships we foster with our customers. Despite offering high-quality services and maintaining quick response times, our charges are significantly lower than many competitors, thanks to our lean operational model with minimal overheads. This pricing strategy, coupled with our flexibility and understanding of customer priorities, allows us to offer tailor-made solutions that ensure customer satisfaction while keeping costs manageable. As we consider expansion, our focus remains on sustaining this balance to continue providing exceptional value without compromising service quality.

Schad was also a noted philanthropist, donating some $200 million to various initiatives over the course of his lifetime. He also created the Schad Foundation in 1987, which supports projects focused on solutions to environmental problems; founded Earth Rangers, a wildlife refuge and outdoor education interpretive centre for children; and was a major benefactor for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and Schad Clinic.

For his contributions to the plastics sector, Schad was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 2006 – the first Canadian to receive the honour. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Plastics Academy in 2003, and was named to the Order of Canada in 2010.

Our collaboration with Sepro for robotics underscores a broader industry trend towards automation, despite some manufacturers opting to produce their own robotics. The shift from hydraulic to electric machines is also prominent, driven by their energy efficiency and operational cost savings, although there's some resistance from those less familiar with electric machinery's benefits. Nonetheless, electric machines, particularly in the 200 to 400-tonne range, are gaining popularity due to their ability to balance performance with sustainability, aligning with market priorities for advanced, efficient production solutions.

“Robert’s leadership and foresight were instrumental in setting new standards for quality and efficiency in plastics manufacturing,” Husky’s vice president Wassim F. Labban said in a LinkedIn post. “His dedication to sustainable practices set the stage for an environmentally responsible manufacturing, long before sustainability became a global imperative…and his approach based on value and customer engagement set new benchmarks in building global brand success and recognition.”

SJ: The current market is primarily challenged by consumer spending hesitancy due to recent economic shifts, notably fluctuating interest rates and energy market volatility. These factors have made consumers wary, affecting their willingness to invest in significant assets.

Additionally, businesses face strategic dilemmas in prioritising investments due to space constraints and the need to balance multiple projects without disrupting ongoing operations. Regulatory uncertainties, such as the new packaging tax, further complicate decision-making, particularly in sectors where such costs could significantly impact operational expenses. These challenges underscore the complex environment businesses must navigate, balancing growth opportunities against a backdrop of economic and regulatory changes.

By 1957, Schad had moved Husky into a 12,000-square-foot facility, where it produced molds and dies for high-production applications. Schad thought that molding machines of the time were too slow to run his molds at their full potential, so he designed and built his own high-speed injection molding machine. The company had found its niche and grew rapidly, being renamed as Husky Injection Molding Systems, and supplying high-speed molding machinery to customers in more than 100 countries from its headquarters in Bolton, Ont.

He founded Husky in rented space in an Esso garage in Toronto in 1953, and the company originally built the Huskymobile snowmobile. The commercial interest in this product was limited, however – it was considered too heavy to skim over the snow – causing the business focus to change from snowmobile manufacturing to toolmaking, making tools, dies, and fixtures for others. Husky Moulds got its first piece of business when Amalgamated Electric Corp. placed an order for an electrical component mold.

SJ: What sets us apart from our competitors is our unparalleled commitment to rapid response times and exceptional support quality. Centralised operations in the UK enable us to guarantee an average 24-hour response window for engineering breakdowns, ensuring minimal operational downtime for our clients. This swift responsiveness is complemented by our dedication to innovation and build quality, aligning us with the leading trends in machine manufacturing. Our approach extends beyond just providing top-notch machinery; it encompasses a comprehensive support system designed to meet our clients' needs promptly and efficiently.

Under Schad’s guidance, Husky became one of plastics’ most dominant injection molding machine makers, especially in the PET preform and closures market, with manufacturing plants in Canada, the U.S., Luxembourg, and China. The company eventually grew to have sales of $1 billion, 3,350 employees, and 1,600 patents.