Interview with Mark Hamilton, President of Hamilton Plastic Equipment LLC, a team of talented specialists in the plastics and manufacturing equipment field. Located in New England and eastern New York, this experienced team will provide their customers with custom-designed systems to meet their specific application. They will also ensure world-class customer after sales and installation support.
Mark, you have an amazing amount of experience in the plastics processing field-over 41 years! How did you get started and how did Hamilton Plastics Equipment evolve?
Hamilton Plastics Equipment was started in 2005. Early on, we recognized the need to support the customer’s entire work cell – not just the molding machine, extruder, blow molder, or whatever the centerpiece, but all the moving parts that make the cell function efficiently. We assist with installation, start-up, and training of all auxiliary equipment as well. Focusing on the customer’s objective and having reliable equipment and factory support in our toolbox, we are able to zero in on providing the right solutions – large and small.
Throughout the years, how have you seen the plastics industry change and grow?
Primarily improvement in controls and design technology. Controls progressed from manual turn knobs to digital thumbwheels for setting up repeatability, to digital I/O with a feedback loop for process repeatability, to intelligent/anticipatory controls for aiding in set up and alerting users of potential error – now with full graphic color touchscreen displays. Creating intuitive learning, today’s controls allow for a wide range of skill sets to operate and monitor processes without having to know the machine language, backdoor codes, or even the science of the process. This, of course, necessitated layers of password protections that didn’t exist 40 years ago. Design changes have made machinery faster and more efficient.
The increasing population equates to increased demand for plastic parts while energy resources continue the challenging march to meet the world population. Parts have to be made faster with less energy. Automation and control of process lead to profitability. Parts are being produced more consistently, with higher quality predictability, and better cost control compared to 40 years ago. This leads to a better understanding of where products are best marketed for increased sales. Increased sales at the counter, and online in today’s world, circles back to higher demand and growth for the plastics industry.
With knowledge in all aspects of the plastics fields, how did you get into the recycling industry?
Reclamation is a critical component for many of the production cells we are asked to provide solutions for. The quality and amount of reclaimed material are often overlooked until it becomes a problem – whether it be storage, environmental, or inconsistent processing issues when reintroduced back into the process. It can also create performance issues for the equipment the reclaim comes in contact with.
Knowing and selecting the correct granulator or shredder feed and cutting chamber configuration as well as the correct evacuation method is key in holding the regrind material’s value. Without this knowledge, it truly becomes just ‘scrap’.
Tell us about Hamilton Plastics Equipment’s sales force.
Our front line sales force consists of a well-balanced combination of plastics processing expertise and hands-on talent. With controls and product upgrades, our core philosophy of assisting with installation/start-up/training keeps our product knowledge sharp. We believe the sale is a process, not just an event. One aspect of always ‘handling’ the latest technology from our principles, is being able to recognize opportunities for our customers to upgrade and explain the justification supporting the upgrade cost. Our group covers the I-90 corridor from Rochester NY to all of New England.
How did you decide to represent Virtus Equipment and LOG Injection Molding Machine?
We have known Tom for years and have always appreciated his ‘customer first’ philosophy. He approached us several years back and the partnership has been mutually beneficial for Virtus & LOG, HPE, and our customers right from the start. The granulator, shredder, and injection molding machine line Tom’s company provide help us assemble and coordinate the work cell building blocks with confidence.
What’s it like sharing the same last name with one of our nation’s most famous founding fathers?!!
Well, my favorite number is 10 for some reason!
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