Molding skills drive IML growth in North America

The company has a dedicated injection molding plant and the machinery to produce printed color charts, handheld color fans, color rings, binders and hair swatch pieces. It also has the capacity to produce point-of-purchase display kits for professional and consumer retail stores. The company’s long-standing experience in servicing international beauty brands and aptitude in plastic molding guided the business into in-mold label production in 2007. Francis Belleau, Aspasie business unit manager, IML, explains: ‘We used IML in the displays for our business and realized there were expansion opportunities where we could leverage our strength in molding technology and diversify our production in a niche, high growth-rate area.’ Move into IML The company reports tremendous growth over the last two years thanks to its focus on in-mold packaging development in the region.

The Aspasie IML business unit converts in-mold labels for plastic molders throughout North America in home improvement, industrial and dairy markets. Initially the growth strategy focused on the greater health and beauty sector. Food has become the leading market served, accounting for around 70 percent of the business. Aspasie has invested in two new Heidelberg Speedmaster offset presses over the last ten years. One is dedicated to printing in-mold labels; the other produces printed color guide details for the hair swatch books. To convert the labels Aspasie uses a sheet-fed system by Bobst and a counter pressure cutting system. It has an in-house flatbed die shop to make tooling for finishing. Belleau is a former technician in the Aspasie injection molding shop and has the ability to communicate accurately with clients. He works closely with the Aspasie in-house design team and molding R&D experts.