“The specialized abilities at Bright Plastics coupled with their collaborative approach to manufacturing complements our existing high-volume plastic production capabilities,” added Phil Kretekos, President of Thunderbird

For parts where 3D printing may not be the most suitable option, the company has also introduced a new Rapid Aluminium Tooling service for the production of rapid prototypes and end-use parts with a turnaround time of 10 working days.

The acquisition of Bright Plastics continues Thunderbird’s commitment to growth and investment in American manufacturing, said the company, which is based in Oak Brook, IL. Although its business model ostensibly mirrors a private equity approach, Thunderbird claims that its active management process and long-term ownership model differentiate it from other private equity firms.

The company, which specialises in precision plastic injection moulding, tool making and model-making, has expanded its rapid prototyping, machine tooling and 3D printing capabilities to launch Plastic Parts 3D. First announced towards the end of last year, the new venture was introduced in response to a growing number of customers seeking small match mouldings who had previously been put off by high tooling costs associated with a small amount of product.

The acquisition includes an ISO Class 7 cleanroom typically used to manufacture medical devices such as IV connectors and surgical instruments. Bright Plastics also has a 67,000-square-foot corporate manufacturing center and 103,000-square-foot manufacturing and logistics hub. The more than 160 Bright Plastics employees will continue to partner with customers from design to distribution, said Thunderbird.

The process involves the manufacture of injection moulding tooling cavity inserts from mould grade aluminium to fit the company’s existing mould tool bases. Plastic Parts Direct says production quantities can be as low as 10 or facilitate upwards of 10,000+ parts with a tool life expectancy running into years in many cases.

“We will benefit from the broader reach of the diverse capabilities at Bright Plastics, as will our customers,” said Kevin Prunsky, Chairman of the Board of Thunderbird. “We expect customers to realize their goals in new ways thanks to the unique equipment and depth of knowledge at Bright.”

In May of this year, Thunderbird acquired MPR Plastics, an injection molder based in Elgin, IL. It also acquired Williams Plastics in 2017, Indiana Plastics in 2018, and the plastics division of Tuthill Corp. in 2020, all of which are now operating under the Impact Molding umbrella.

Thunderbird LLC announced today the acquisition of Bright Plastics Inc.. The addition of the Greensboro, NC–based plastics processor to the Thunderbird portfolio of manufacturing companies expands its injection-molding support for a range of industries, including medical, defense, aerospace, transportation, recreation, waste management, and telecom, said Thunderbird.

Now, with Plastic Part 3D’s additive manufacturing facility, the company is offering a more economical solution for projects requiring smaller quantities of 10-500 injection moulded parts or for the prototyping of designs before committing to traditional tooling.

“Becoming a Thunderbird company is a testament to our team at Bright Plastics,” said Kirk Sparks, President of Bright Plastics. “This move ensures the legacy of our founder, Steve Bright, and speaks to the talent and commitment of the professionals at Bright who continually embrace new technology and new equipment to meet the demands of a growing customer base.”

UK manufacturer Plastic Parts Direct has launched a new 3D printing service for injection mould tools following a 50,000 GBP investment.