Plastic injection moulding is the most common way to manufacture all types of plastic parts and is particularly effective for large orders. However, the tooling process can be expensive and require longer lead times than other methods. For small batches and prototypes, there are quicker and more affordable ways to produce plastic parts.

Ready to start your next project? Submit your 3D CAD to our contact form here to get a quote or discuss your project requirements.

Who is this group of industrial giants, and in what ways are they developing innovative methods to change production? Watch this space as we reveal the secrets of their success.

3D Printed Moulds3D printed moulds are the latest trending technique in mould making. They offer a cost-effective and rapid alternative to traditional injection moulding, suitable for 30 to 100 units or more (depending on the material being injection moulded). The key limitations of 3D printed moulds are accuracy constraints, as well as lower durability and heat resistance compared to metal moulds. Advantages:Cost-effective for small batches of parts.Less commitment and facilitate quicker iterations. Limitations:Size and accuracy constraints.Temperature and pressure limitations of plastic moulds.  Thermoforming ManufacturingThermoforming is a good alternative to injection moulding for ‘relatively’ simple plastic parts like packing containers, vehicle door panels, and dashboards in low-to-mid volumes. It involves creating a simple single-sided mould of the product. A thin sheet of plastic is then heated and formed using vacuum, pressure, or mechanical force. Advantages:Cost effective for low-to-mid volumes.Efficient for simple plastic parts. Limitations:Achieving consistent wall thickness can be challenging.Not suitable for highly complex parts.  CNC MachiningCNC machining is a highly reliable process that can be a good alternative to injection moulding, especially for creating more rigid and durable parts in low-to-mid volume quantities with high precision and accuracy. In fact, the precision moulds used in the injection moulding process are made via CNC machining. Advantages:Excellent for high precision, high tolerance parts.Fast turnaround time for low-volume production parts. Limitations:Not compatible with rubber, silicone and other soft plastics.Can be time-consuming and expensive for very complex geometries.  Source Custom Plastic Parts With HLH RapidAt HLH Rapid, we help mechanical engineers, industrial designers, and R&D teams bring their products to market faster through our rapid tooling and injection moulding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and a range of other in-house manufacturing services. Whether you need a single part or mid-to-high production volumes, we can cater to your needs.Ready to start your next project? Submit your 3D CAD to our contact form here to get a quote or discuss your project requirements.

As of recent data, the largest injection molding company in the world is INEOS Group, a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and oil products. They have extensive capabilities in injection molding across various industries.

Having over 45 years history it keeps adjusting to market changes and customer requests so that it can be a competitive and wanted partner in injection molding market.

China is widely regarded as the best country for injection molding due to its advanced manufacturing infrastructure, cost-effective production capabilities, and extensive experience in producing high-quality molds and molded parts.

It has become a major global manufacturing services provider with over 236,000 workers spread across about 100 sites worldwide in more than 25 countries.

HiTop Industrial is one of the leading companies in China that specializes in the design and manufacturing of injection molding molds. They offer a wide range of services, including mold design, prototyping, injection molding, and product assembly. For more information, visit HiTop Industrial.

UPM is a specialist in large part manufacturing and offers wide range of services to cater for different industry requirements.

Location: 2698 Willoughby Blvd. Stuart, FL 34994Company type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1984Main Services: Rubber Molding, Rubber Extrusions, Injection Molded Plastic.

The activities of Four Process Ltd. started in 1974 and situated in Valley Park, Missouri. This company is an esteemed supplier in the plastic injection molding industry and is woman-owned and family-run.

GSH Industries, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is located in Ohio; known for its custom injection molding technology and expertise in plastic, aluminum, and rubber extrusion.

Vacuum casting is an excellent alternative to injection moulding for quantities between 10 to 50. It shares many similarities in terms of technique and final outcome—from function to aesthetics—but without the high upfront costs or long lead times of injection moulding. This method offers a wide range of resins that can mimic ‘production-grade’ materials, from soft elastomers with varying shore hardness to hard plastics like ABS. For these reasons, urethane casting is often used for end-use small production runs of a product that will eventually be injection moulded.

Location: 595 8th Street Valley Park, MO 63088Company type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1974Main Services: Insert Molding, Over Molding, Cold Runner Injection Molding.

At HLH Rapid, we help mechanical engineers, industrial designers, and R&D teams bring their products to market faster through our rapid tooling and injection moulding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and a range of other in-house manufacturing services. Whether you need a single part or mid-to-high production volumes, we can cater to your needs.

Thermoforming is a good alternative to injection moulding for ‘relatively’ simple plastic parts like packing containers, vehicle door panels, and dashboards in low-to-mid volumes. It involves creating a simple single-sided mould of the product. A thin sheet of plastic is then heated and formed using vacuum, pressure, or mechanical force.

Location: Gainesville, GeorgiaCompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 2004Main Services: Injection Molding, Design & Engineering, Mold Engineering.

Founded in 2005, MSI Mold is located in Imlay City, Michigan, USA, and is a specialist in custom plastic injection molding.

Location: Maple Plain, United StatesCompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1999Main Services: Injection Molding, CNC Machining, 3D Printing, Sheet Metal Fabrication.

Location: No.63, East Zhen An Road, Xiaobian, Changan, Dongguan City, Guangdong, ChinaCompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 2002Main Services: Injection Molding, Rapid Prototyping, Die Casting.

Location: 70 East High StreetNew Freedom, PA 17349Company type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1946Main Services: Custom Injection Molding, Mold Design & DFM.

Arburg, Engel, and Husky are among the top companies known for manufacturing high-quality injection molding machines. These companies are renowned for their innovative technology, reliability, and comprehensive support services.

Among these leaders, HiTop Industrial is the leading service provider, utilizing vast knowledge to produce superior outcomes in a wide range of markets.

This company produces custom rubber and plastic components, focusing on customer-oriented services and premium-quality manufacturing.

Are you interested in the transformative manufacturing solutions? Get in touch with HiTop Industrial for your next project.

The company began with only five workers and has developed immensely, leveraging a solid dedication to top quality and innovation.

Location: 15242 Foltz Industrial Pkwy Strongsville, Ohio 44136Company type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1986Main Services: Plastic Extrusions, Aluminum Extrusions, Rubber Extrusion, Injection Molding.

Location: 2045 S. Almont Ave, Imlay CityCompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 2005Main Services: Custom Injection Molding, Prototype Injection Molding, Design & Engineering Support.

There are approximately 1,200 to 1,500 injection molding companies operating in the United States. These companies range from small businesses to large manufacturers serving diverse markets.

We aim to offer clients value that exceeds their expectations and to ensure their satisfaction via constant improvement and innovation.

Location: 13245 Los Angeles Street Baldwin Park, CACompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1962Main Services: Plastic Injection Molding, Water Injection, Tooling and Fabrication and others.

End-to-end solution provision is a key area that sets the group apart from others in the market by guaranteeing quality and customer satisfaction right from the design through to production.

HITOP is committed to assisting customers by offering a comprehensive one-stop solution, encompassing product design enhancement, initial sample creation, mold fabrication, injection molding, and product assembly.

The company works around the clock to handle the urgent and complicated orders aligning with the recent technological trends to keep them competitive.

Innovation and quality are the hallmarks of Britech as they continuously invest in the newest equipment and they have ISO 9001 certification which ensures that they meet the highest industry standards.

In this article, we explore the top alternatives to injection moulding that allow cost-effective manufacturing of low-volume parts (in the tens or hundreds), enabling you to test the market, receive feedback from users, present your product to investors, run promotions, and more.

CNC machining is a highly reliable process that can be a good alternative to injection moulding, especially for creating more rigid and durable parts in low-to-mid volume quantities with high precision and accuracy. In fact, the precision moulds used in the injection moulding process are made via CNC machining.

Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USACompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1966Main Services: Additive Manufacturing, Cutting Tools.

Go through the list of the “Top Plastic Injection Molding Companies in the USA,” one of the most precise and innovative sectors in the world, and meet the top players that are building the manufacturing’s future with both the latest technology and sustainable actions.

Location: Washington DC Metro / MarylandCompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 2013Main Services: Injection Molding, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Waterjet Cutting and others.

Location: North Vernon, USACompany type: ManufacturingYear founded: 1966Main Services: Production Molds, Prototype Molds, Mold Repair and Engineering Changes.

The dedication of the companies to innovate in the field of technology and sustainability leaves another benchmark within the industry.

Jabil is distinguished by its wide industry reach, innovative solutions, and dedication to sustainable practices among top global brands and therefore communicates advancement in manufacturing.

To conclude our analysis of the leading plastic injection molding companies in the USA, it becomes obvious that these companies remain the leaders in turning innovation with precision.

With its roots in Detroit as a consulting and engineering firm servicing the automotive industry, the company developed its services to cover broader industry requirements.

Proto Labs is distinguished by the capacity to provide fast manufacturing solutions with the highest level of accuracy and productivity, thus, it is a leader in digital manufacturing.

Xometry is also dedicated to environmental sustainability, collaborating with organizations such as Dot Neutral to mitigate the carbon emissions produced by their manufacturing activities.​

The company Murray Plastic which is located in Gainesville, Georgia, has been instrumental in the plastic injection molding industry since 2004. With a staff of around 200-299 employees, the company is a specialist in the production of custom plastic parts.

Plastic injection moulding is the most common way to manufacture all types of plastic parts and is particularly effective for large orders. However, the tooling process can be expensive and require longer lead times than other methods. For small batches and prototypes, there are quicker and more affordable ways to produce plastic parts.In this article, we explore the top alternatives to injection moulding that allow cost-effective manufacturing of low-volume parts (in the tens or hundreds), enabling you to test the market, receive feedback from users, present your product to investors, run promotions, and more. Vacuum Casting(Also known as: Urethane Casting / Polyurethane Casting / Silicone Moulding / Soft Tooling)Vacuum casting is an excellent alternative to injection moulding for quantities between 10 to 50. It shares many similarities in terms of technique and final outcome—from function to aesthetics—but without the high upfront costs or long lead times of injection moulding. This method offers a wide range of resins that can mimic ‘production-grade’ materials, from soft elastomers with varying shore hardness to hard plastics like ABS. For these reasons, urethane casting is often used for end-use small production runs of a product that will eventually be injection moulded. Advantages:Lower upfront cost and faster lead times for short production runs.Wide selection of polyurethane materials and good surface finish. Limitations:Silicone tools typically only last 25 shots before the tool will need to be replaced.Higher unit price than injection moulding.  3D Printing3D printing is a very affordable and quick alternative to plastic injection moulding for early-stage prototypes and short production runs, especially for smaller-sized parts. 3D printing technologies like industrial stereolithography (SLA) requires no tooling costs and is able to give a nice surface finish that resembles injection moulded parts. Although it may lack in some aspects of strength or properties, 3D printing has come a long way and is increasingly being used in low-volume end-use applications. Advantages:Fast and cost-effective for very small production runs.Can print parts with highly complex geometries. Limitations:Material and size constraints.May lack in some aspects of strength or quality.

Hi, I am Sparrow Xiang, COO of the HiTop company, me and my team would be happy to meet you and learn all about your business, requirements and expectations.

Located near Los Angeles in California, Universal Plastic Mold (UPM) was founded in 1962. As a leading plastic injection molding.

MSI Mold boasts of its in-house abilities and American manufacturing expertise, focusing on quality, customer service, and technological integration for efficient clients’ needs satisfaction.

Proto Labs is a public company that specializes in digital manufacturing of custom prototypes and on-demand production parts in diverse industries such as medical, automotive, and aerospace.

We are committed to helping you elevate quality standards, fostering enterprise growth, and actualizing your internationalization strategy.

3D printing is a very affordable and quick alternative to plastic injection moulding for early-stage prototypes and short production runs, especially for smaller-sized parts. 3D printing technologies like industrial stereolithography (SLA) requires no tooling costs and is able to give a nice surface finish that resembles injection moulded parts. Although it may lack in some aspects of strength or properties, 3D printing has come a long way and is increasingly being used in low-volume end-use applications.

3D printed moulds are the latest trending technique in mould making. They offer a cost-effective and rapid alternative to traditional injection moulding, suitable for 30 to 100 units or more (depending on the material being injection moulded). The key limitations of 3D printed moulds are accuracy constraints, as well as lower durability and heat resistance compared to metal moulds.