In the previous article, we discussed making your injection molding machine. However, that DIY project could be time-consuming. Moreover, self-made machines are compromised in many ways. This led me to write this guide on the top 10 injection molding machine manufacturers.
Most people prefer to buy new injection molding machines. They are versatile and offer ideal performance. You’ll do the same, too! But if you choose the wrong manufacturer, you will buy regret instead of machines. Remember, you might find many manufacturers, but their quality is not guaranteed.
To tackle this, I’ve put together this detailed guide. You’ll learn about the top 10 reliable manufacturers that will satisfy your needs. I carefully picked them after thorough research. So, trusting them will give you excellent molding machines with peace of mind. So, let’s get started!
Importance of Right Molding Machine Manufacturers
As you know, injection molding machines are costly. Buying one requires a handsome budget. Imagine spending money on a molding machine only to have it malfunction in a few days. It would be awful! Moreover, these machines are sensitive and require all the right parts to do the job.
However, low-quality manufacturers focus on saving money. As a result, they leave many faults and flaws in the molding machines. So, machines bought from such manufacturers are more likely to have a higher reject rate. They’ll produce low-quality material and reduce efficiency. Moreover, their wear and tear will also be routine.
Conversely, a reliable manufacturer will give you peace of mind, not just injection molding machines. Their machines are of high quality and come with a warranty. Their after-sale support offers pure value. However, these manufacturers offer their products at a high price, which is undoubtedly worth the investment.
But how do you choose a reliable molding machine maker? That’s a million-dollar question! As you know, every manufacturer claims to be the best. Right? You might end up selecting the wrong manufacturers. This is where the scrutiny of manufacturing comes into the scenes. Before going to market, you must do market research.
However, that process is tedious and time-consuming. Fret not! I’ve researched hard for you and found the best injection molding machine manufacturers. Let’s discuss their details.
List and Details of Best Injection Molding Machine Manufacturers
I did not pick a manufacturer randomly. Instead, I followed a complete market research process. As a result, you’ll get some reliable names that are dominating the industry. You can trust any of them and get equally good experiences. Let’s get into the groove and explore the strengths and weaknesses of each manufacturer.
1- Engel
- Foundation: 1945
- Founder: Ludwig Engel
- Headquarter Location: Schwertberg, AUSTRIA
This Austrian-based company has a worldwide presence. It produces a variety of injection molding machines, 95% of which are exported. As you know, injection molding machines vary in terms of their power sources. Some are electric, while others are hydraulic.
This company also offers hybrid ones, which are combinations of hydraulic and electric machines. They have around 7400 employees who work at different branches of this company. Engel has passed the strict test of time and is ruling the industry. In 2023/24, they made a total revenue of 1.6 billion euros.
These numbers indicate how good this company is! What I like about their machines is that they are very durable. Wear and tear is not an issue. Buy one and keep using it without spending a penny on maintenance. Moreover, the company has a dedicated sales team. It will make things easy for you if you want to order a molding machine from them.
2- Milacron
- Foundation: 1874
- Revenue: $1.258 Billion
- Current President: Mac Jones
Milacron is an American brand that has ruled the industry for over a century. However, it is no longer an independent company. In 2019, Hillenbrand acquired it. However, it still offers excellent injection molding machines. Its progress has increased after it underwent acquisitions.
They offer different types of injection molding machines. You’ll see those machines in different series. The famous series of injection molding machines are as follows:
- L-Series
- C-Series
- Q-Series
- M-Series
- eQ-Series
These series include hydraulic, servo, and low-pressure injection molding machines. With 5,600 employees, Milacron has a stronghold in the industry. However, one thing that I don’t like is that their machines are costly. This company is not a suitable option for someone with a tight budget.
3- TASU Injection Company
- Employees: 150+
- Production: 500+ machines per year
- Location & Headquarter: Guangdong Province, China
TASU is a relatively small company compared to the others mentioned in this article. However, their small team is dedicated to manufacturing high-quality injection molding machines. The Milacron mentioned above sells machines at very high prices. But what if you’re on a tight budget? In such cases, Tasu Injection Company comes in handy.
They offer their injection molding machines at lower prices. You might wonder how they manage to sell at a low price. Tasu is based in China, where labor costs are relatively low. This helps them make machines at lower prices. Lesser labor costs help them reduce the machines’ price. They offer three categories of machines, which are as follows:
- Rubber Injection Molding Machines
- Plastics Injection Molding Machines
- Custom Injection Molding Machines
What I like about TASU is that it offers dedicated after-sale support. So, you can always get in touch whenever you face any issues with the machine. Moreover, their machines are covered by a warranty, which is another big plus. Do my words excite you? Don’t hesitate to contact the expert Tasu team.
One thing that might make you hesitate is the small size of this company. Don’t worry; Tasu has been in the injection molding machine manufacturing industry for the last 30 years. They export their products to over 50 countries, and the customers trust them. Despite being a small venture, they sell 500+ machines yearly, indicating their excellence.
4- Arburg
- Foundation: 1923
- Revenue: 578 million Euro
- Headquarter: Lossburg, Germany
Arburg is a pioneer in the injection molding manufacturing industry. This brand has been dominating for the last century. They started this business back in 1923. However, their first injection molding machine came onto the scene in 1954. It was a miniature and limited machine, but it gained decent popularity.
The company kept on producing the machine molding machines year after year. What made them stand out was improvement in terms of technology. They consistently upgrade their injection molding machines. This upgrade was what people loved in the initial days. This company has earned respect by offering unique value.
They expanded their business in 2013 and added 3D printers to their products. Customers have always warmly welcomed this new addition. This German company has over 3600 employees to meet the production demands. They export injection molding machines to over 100 different countries.
5- Fanuc
- Foundation: 1972
- Revenue: $4.42 Billion
- Headquarters: Oshino-mura, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
This Japanese company has a strong presence in different regions of the world. These include South Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and homeland Japan. It offers excellent injection molding machines equipped with modern technology. However, it is not dedicated only to injection molding machines.
Instead, this brand offers many other tools and products. Some of them are robotic and use the latest technology. They also use a CNC system in their injection molding machine, which enhances precision. However, their machines are a bit more expensive. Why? Because they use modern technology that enhances their machines’ performance.
6- Husky
- Established: 1953
- Revenue: 990 Million Dollars
- Headquarters & Location: Bolton Canada
This Canadian company has a good name in the industry. It produces high-quality injection molding machines. With 4300 employees, this brand exports machines to over 100 countries. This indicates the demand for their products. The popular products of this brand are as follows:
- NexPET™ Systems
- HyPET®6e Systems
- HyCAP™4 Systems
- HYPERSYNC™ SYSTEMS
- HYLECTRIC 4.0® SYSTEMS
Its main manufacturing facility is in Canada. However, they also have some units in the USA, China, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Remember, Husky products that are made in China are very inexpensive. On the flip side, their USA-made injection molding machines are super expensive. Overall, it offers an excellent balance of pricing and quality.
7- Shibaura
- Foundation: 1875
- Revenue: Approx. $1 Billion
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
This is a Japanese brand with manufacturing facilities in various countries worldwide. Some of those include the United States, China, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, etc,. They offer different injection molding machines, such as hydraulic, electric, and hybrid. Are you looking for a personalized injection molding machine?
If so, this Japanese brand can be your stop. The reason is that it provides a custom molding machine solution. It means they will follow your needs and requirements while making a personalized machine. They have installed around 25000 machines only in North America. This stat indicates they are very popular in North America.
8- NISSEI
- Founder: Katashi Aoki
- Foundation: October 15, 1947
- Location: Sakaki-machi, Hanishina-gun, Nagano-ken, Japan
NISSEI is another Japanese brand that has a worldwide presence. It is well known due to its excellent injection molding machines. This company provides injection molding machines that differ in terms of their capabilities. Their product line comes in different series, which are as follows:
- NEX-Ⅴ series
- VFX-Ⅲ series
- FNX-Ⅲ series
- PNX-Ⅲ series
- NEX-Ⅲ series
- TWX-RⅢ series
- TNX-RⅢ series
Remember, the injection molding machines in one series differ from those in the other. One thing that I love about this brand is its customer support. They have a dedicated system to ensure the customers don’t face trouble. Moreover, all of their injection molding machines come with a warranty.
9- Sumitomo (SHI) Demag
- Foundation: 1950
- Employees: 2000+
- Headquarter: Schwaig, Germany
Demag produced the first simple injection molding machine in 1956. It required a single operator. In the early days, all production was done in Germany. However, with time, they expanded their business. Now, they have manufacturing facilities in Japan, the USA, India, the Philippines, and China.
This list of countries goes on, as Demag has a worldwide presence. It offers all injection molding machines, including hydraulic, electric, and hybrid ones. Let me give you a downside of this brand. This injection molding factory does not offer responsive customer support.
If you encounter any issues, you must visit the company’s official office to discuss the matter. I would rather skip this manufacturer. This company underwent an ownership change in 2013 when Sumitomo acquired it. It is now a subdivision of Sumitomo. They have 2000+ employees operating at different manufacturing locations.
10- Netstal
- Foundation: 1857
- Status: Subdivision
- Headquarter: Glarus Switzerland
It is one of the oldest companies that is active to date. Initially, it was not dedicated to producing injection molding machines. However, they made their first molding machine in 1945. After that, they make these machines as their main selling products. Do you know why I put this injection molding machine at the bottom?
I don’t want you to pick this manufacturer because its products, including molding machines, are expensive. Moreover, there is no particular customer support. The products themselves are not ideal – to be honest. However, they offer a wide range of injection molding machines. You can choose this manufacturer at your own risk.
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Injection Molding Machine Manufacturer
All the manufacturers mentioned above are reliable. If there was any issue with any particular manufacturer, I said it during the explanation. However, you might want to choose an injection molding manufacturer from your local area. If this is the case, I want to give you a list of some factors that you must consider. They will help you choose a reliable manufacturer.
- Your shortlisted injection molding machine manufacturer must have some experience. Don’t trust newer manufacturers. They don’t provide value and prefer money over customers.
- Every manufacturer has a customer ratings system. You should check those ratings before finalizing the deal. If customers are rating a manufacturer negatively, it is a red flag.
- Some manufacturers offer customers injection molding machines. These machines are made specially to meet your needs. I highly recommend you keep such manufacturing at the top.
- Warranty and customer support impact your experience with the machine. A manufacturer that gives a warranty trusts its products. On the flip side, manufacturers that hesitate to give a warranty believe in their products’ durability. Remember, a warranty provides peace of mind.
- Last but not least, pricing has the utmost value. You should be wise while spending money on manufacturers. Don’t make the mistake of selecting costly manufacturers. Contrarily, we don’t get inclined to buy from cheap injection molding machine-making companies. Instead, you should be balanced between price and quality.
Conclusion
As I said above, injection molding machines are very costly. So be careful during the buying process. You should use all means to avoid choosing the wrong manufacturers before making a final decision. I suggest you carefully do detailed research. It will help you understand the market rates, trends, and manufacturer’s ratings and credibility.
This guide provides some top names that offer injection molding machines. Remember, all these manufacturers mentioned in this guide are not picked randomly. Instead, I’ve put my energy into the research and scrutiny process. They are excellent, but I still recommend you do your analysis. It will help you avoid making wrong decisions.