Automotive-parts specialist DMS Chromium says that the installation of a Romi-Sandretto EN 380 plastic injection moulding machine (www.sandretto.co.uk) equipped with a bespoke two-shot unit will save it over £20,000 a month and eliminate a production problem.

The company handles many vehicle components that need a chromium front face but no chromium on the back, because they will be heat-welded. In one instance, it produced 15,000 speakers and had to paint out the chromium by hand; that took nine people working over three shifts.

Chris Sharpe, managing director of Kidderminster-based DMS Chromium, says: “It was proving to be a real cost burden. I developed a new moulding tool, and Romi-Sandretto agreed to adapt this machine, which handles two plastics simultaneously. It not only saves us £20,000 a month but will also create a raft of new sales opportunities.”

The new machine replaces a 400-tonne machine — bought at auction — that never quite matched the quality and reliability of DMS Chromium’s 100- to 820-tonne machines from Romi-Sandretto. The latter went from enquiry to bespoke machine design to build and delivery within six months.

DMS Chromium supplies a range of chromium-plated injection-moulded products such as grilles, decorative badges, door-mirror covers and door handles. It employs 102 people, has a turnover of £5.5 million and currently runs nine Romi-Sandretto machines.