Bay Plastics Machinery opens technology center
Bay Plastics Machinery (BPM) held a grand opening Oct. 21 for an 8,000-square-foot technology center at its headquarters in Bay City, Mich., expanding space for manufacturing, equipment repairs, testing and worker training.
The addition supports production and refurbishment of pelletizers and other equipment used in plastics compounding and recycling, according to the company. BPM expanded after experiencing growth in demand over the past two years for its pelletizing equipment, maintenance, and repair and spare parts services.
BPM added about five employees over the past year, bringing its workforce to 55, with two of the new hires working in the service department.
“We’re proud to support U.S. manufacturers and recyclers,” said Jason Forgash, president and CEO of BPM. “Over the past year, we’ve expanded our mobile service capabilities, with team members serving customers across the Midwest and Southeast by picking up equipment, making repairs and returning components to customers’ plants. As demand for these services and our pelletizers increases, we need more space.”
The technology center includes a strand pelletizing line that operated during the grand opening, which attracted about 150 attendees.
Speakers, including Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), discussed the company’s partnerships with career and technical education programs, helping students transition into manufacturing jobs.
The technology center will help employees develop new skills and introduce young people to modern manufacturing, Forgash said.
Jason's grandfather, Tony Forgash Sr., owned and operated a tool-and-die shop known as JETRO Inc. in the 1950s. Jason's father, Tony Forgash Jr., joined the company in 1961. They led the design and development of the company’s pelletizer technology. JETRO was sold to Conair in 1974; Bay Plastics Machinery was founded in 1997.
In a recent "In Other Words" profile in Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Jason Forgash discussed the technology center and the history of the company.
