Hyundai targets N.A. Market with Korean made injection molding machines

Korean car makers setting up shop in the United States are increasingly bringing their suppliers along. In a recent twist, however, now their suppliers’ suppliers are coming stateside as well, with the latest—Hyundai Injection Machinery—sharing its roots with the Korean conglomerate and automaker of the same name.

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Perhaps the best indicator of an injection molding industry’s prospects in a region is the willingness of machinery suppliers to target the market. By that measure, things are looking bullish for North America with Korea’s Hyundai Injection Machinery (as well as China’s Tech Bole) launching U.S. operations via distributor partners at Plastec West.

Hyundai Injection Machinery made its show debut in North America at Plastec West 2014, supported by ESM E-Solutions Inc. (Anaheim, Calif.), which will act as distributor and Hirate America Inc. (Corona, Calif.), whose Shingo Hirate will work as a sales representative.

Hirate said Hyundai’s presses officially entered the market last September, with three machines sold into Mexico to support molders supplying Korean automotive transplant OEMs. Following the show, Hirate said 10 machines would be sold, with all of them in Mexico, although Plastec might generate some U.S. sales. Hirate noted that the company had generated hundreds of leads daily at the Anaheim event. Orlando will be in the company’s future.

“This year there are no more show plans yet, but we’re obviously going to gear up for NPE,” Hirate said. Asked what will set the machines apart in the competitive North America market, Hirate said price and how the machines are equipped.

Dual core pulls, dual air blow, robot SPI interface, ceramic heater bands, and bimetallic barrels and screws are all standard for Hyundai, with a sticker price that Hirate said is 30 to 40 percent lower than European and Japanese competitors.

ESM E-Solutions, which is run by Bob Ahn and Steve Gwon who previously worked to help sell Korean-made Woojin Selex machines in North America, will offer Hyundai’s hydraulic SPE lines (80-720 tons), as well as the EDIS (80 to 720 tons) and EDIS-DL Series (1000-333 tons) hybrid machines. Across the various lines, presses will available from 30 to 3000 tons. At this time the company lists four machines in stock, all from the EDIS line, with shot weights ranging from 8 to 39 ounces. Sales, service and parts will be located in Anaheim.

Hyundai began making injection molding machines in 1989, and it has sales representation in Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Iran, India, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. Its EDIS Series of machines utilizes a hybrid servo system design applying synchronous servo motors with closed loop pressure and rotation speed control for pressure sensors, encoders, and precision brake units. Compared to a standard hydraulic injection molding machine, Hyundai says the EDIS reduces energy consumption by up to 60%.