Plastics Packaging Producer Planning Expansion

Press Release

TriEnda will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Marion operation in January.

Overall, company officials say they are pleased with the work done thus far at the facility. But they’re eyeing a mid to late-summer expansion that will grow the Marion operations by about 50 percent.

New machines will be added to the operational capacity next year, including another customized thermoform plastic machine that’s exclusively the proprietary property of TriEnda.

Those additions should grow the employment number, which has been at about 75 in Marion for awhile, according to Scott Poenitzsch, vice president of operations for TriEnda.

It requires a significant number of people to operate the company’s equipment, he said.

“The process, including the tools and machines, are exclusive to TriEnda,” Poenitzsch said. “We’re the only ones in the world (using this technology).”

Demand for the company’s palettes continues to be high, he said.

“The products are flowing well,” he said. “Demand continues to grow.”

Jack DiNello, plant manager at TriEnda in Marion for about seven months now, doesn’t anticipate a problem finding enough qualified people for the local operation.

“Marion workers have great knowledge and experience for us to draw on,” DiNello said. “Having spent the last seven or eight months in Marion, I think we’re at the tip of the iceberg in terms of good talent in the community.”

The 2010 expansion at TriEnda will also introduce a grinding operation into the Marion facility.

While grinding work on the company’s thermoformed plastic palettes has been outsourced up until this point, Poenitzsch said, the goal is to change that.

“What we don’t have down there is a central grinder,” he said.

Now, the company will be able to smooth out the plastic product itself, then ship the scrap to a recycling facility, where it can be reused in future palette production at TriEnda.

Ongoing facilities improvements are also on the docket, Poenitzsch said.

“There’s going to be some training facilities,” he said.

He also foresees the addition of locker rooms, an improved break area and more.

“It’s just to have a comfortable work environment for the employees,” Poenitzsch said.

TriEnda continues to be pleased with its partnership with Marion, Poenitzsch said.

“Every time I’ve been there, I’ve felt very welcome,” he said. “I’m glad we chose Marion for our operations.”

Source: Chronicle-Tribune