UK – The company announced in February that it has spent £1.5m ($1.94m) on installing two semi-automated paint lines for components made at its production site in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The investment has increased capacity and expanded Formaplex’s finishing capabilities, providing greater flexibility for bespoke and short-run special projects.
The new operation is dedicated to automotive business and Formaplex says it has “state-of-the-art” technology to ensure the highest-quality finishes. The multi-chamber spray booths accommodate preparation, cleaning, painting and drying areas, plus ovens, while the conveyor systems have fully extracted and balanced floors. There are also inspection and post-paint polishing areas. Together, the lines house 90 wagons for continuous spraying operations.
Russ Hammacott, director at Formaplex, commented: “The investment in our new paint facility will ensure we have the additional capacity to continue to provide our services and world-class products to our expanding blue-chip customer base.” He said the company is currently producing 600 injection-mould tools and 3m thermoplastic components per year, and has recently won long-term contracts for several new projects.
Formaplex now has 270,000 sq.ft of production space across four sites on the UK’s south coast and employs more than 500 people. The company's moulded components can be delivered as individual items or as assemblies – painted, primed or flocked. Serving the low-volume automotive industry in the UK and Europe, including prestige and sports vehicle, it handles small and medium batch runs of interior and exterior body parts such as trim and engine bay components.