August 30, 2007

Integra Adds In-House Capabilities with Extrusion Laminating/Coating Line

Integra Plastics of Madison, South Dakota, is expanding its product offering with a newly installed extrusion laminating and coating line from the Converting Systems Group of Davis-Standard, LLC. The line, installed in June, will enable the company to produce a broad spectrum of products in-house for use in the agriculture, construction, landfill applications and marine markets, as well as offer laminating services. Integra, established in 1991, has seen significant growth over the past few years due to the healthy economy, unique proprietary processes and customer-driven service. Prior to the installation of the new line, Integra’s operation was primarily focused on the conversion of coated fabric and laminated fabric into finished products. Now Integra will be able to do much of the coating and laminating inside, keeping an even tighter grip on quality control and competitive pricing, both key contributors to the company’s success.

“The new line will expand the number of products offered by Integra, products that many of our customers have already expressed an interest in purchasing,” said Clark Lee, Integra’s Director of New Business Development. “It also takes us a step closer to our goal of adding ‘one-stop’ shopping while further improving our commitment to customer service after the sale, quality and pricing.”

The new custom-built line includes a 4-inch (100mm) extruder with in-line resin blending capabilities, a 90-inch (2,286mm) extrusion laminator, shaftless unwinds and jumbo surface winder. The extrusion laminator has the capability to laminate three substrates in one pass, or to coat one. The unwinds use pneumatic actuated web threading belts to insert the web into the splicing nip for a continuous and safe operation. The winder features rotary knife transfer technology for cutting a wide range of engineered, laminated fabric construction, and for continuous operation during transfers. The machine is also modular in design with the drives and controls pre-mounted for quick and easy installation. According to Lee, the line speed will vary dramatically depending on the material being produced, but the extruder will typically run at around 1,000 pounds (454 kg) per hour.

“Our customers range from commodity crop processors, landfills and wastewater treatment facilities, to construction and oilfield supplies distributors and ethanol processing plants,” explained Lee. “This line will allow us to provide excellent long-term value and will help us maintain our niche of servicing customers with more specialized products.”

Some of Integra’s products include landfill and silage covers, vapor barriers, industrial packaging, and pond/containment/canal liners. This is the company’s first purchase from Davis-Standard, LLC.

Says Lee, “I knew Davis-Standard had a history of building the type of equipment Integra needed, and would be knowledgeable of the special considerations we wanted included in this line. We were impressed by their ability to work quickly and efficiently through the design phase, and deliver the equipment as specified and on time.”

For more information about Integra Plastics, visit www.integraplastics.com. For more information about Davis-Standard, LLC extrusion coating and laminating equipment, contact Ken Piora at piorak@bc-egan.com or visit www.bc-egan.com.