Exothermic Molding Celebrates 50 Years of RIM Manufacturing

 

Paul G. Steck(1st generation) and his son Paul C. Steck(2nd generation)

circa 1959

Exothermic Molding marks 50 years of fabricating high-quality RIM plastic parts.  The company’s continued growth is based on its benchmark standards and commitment to service excellence.

Exothermic Molding pioneered the Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) industry. Founded in 1971, the company had its roots in providing RIM parts to the medical, electronic, and lab instrument markets. Since then, Exothermic has expanded into many other applications and markets including fabricating parts for exercise equipment, cosmetics displays, and robotics.

Industrial Designers and Mechanical Engineers are discovering RIM’s great design flexibility and outstanding value. Exothermic recently invested in new materials that enhance RIM’s capabilities, such as Proxima® Thermoset Resins, a trademark of Materia, Inc. Proxima thermosets derive their unique characteristics through a polymerization reaction enabled by the Nobel Prize-winning proprietary Grubbs Catalyst® technology.

Over the years many technological improvements have been made to the equipment and process. Exothermic Molding’s state-of-the-art facility employs modern, computerized Programmable Logic Controlled machinery. This includes urethane and PROXIMA® (DCPD) metering units, an environment-controlled, positive pressure spray booth with air make-up and bake and cure capability, as well as modern CNC machining centers. Recent investment in large format 3D printing has led to large-scale rapid prototypes with class A painted finishes

From the very beginning, the Exothermic Molding philosophy was to provide abundant customer value. A viewpoint that continues today.

Paul K. Steck

Third Generation Current Owner

Logo Evolution

  • 1961

    The Steck family’s sheet metal business manufacturers parts for Telstar, the first US satellite to orbit the earth.

  • 1983

    Paul C. Steck purchases Artium, one of the first domestic companies to adopt the new at the time Reaction Injection Molding technology, and renames it Exothermic Molding.

  • 1991

    The company, moves into its own modern larger 10,500 square foot plant allowing for the production of larger molded parts and a second line of chemistry.

  • 2021

    The company enters its 50th year of successfully manufacturing high quality parts for the medical, laboratory diagnostic, military, robotic, and space industries.

Historic Milestones

  • 1961

    The Steck family’s sheet metal fabricating business makes parts for Telstar, the first US satellite to orbit the earth.

  • 1971

    Exothermic Molding is founded as “ARTIUM”, a Reaction Injection Molding service to the medical, electronic, and lab instrument market by Edward Varga. Artium’s services included Design Process Evaluation, Tooling, Molding, Painting, and Low Volume Production of Large Plastic Parts. Note, Artium was one of the first domestic companies to adopt Bayer’s new at the time Reaction Injection Molding technology. Atrium’s services included producing computer housings for The White House.

  • 1983

    Paul C. Steck, Inc. purchases Artium and renames it “EXOTHERMIC MOLDING” to describe the heat-producing chemistry that occurs within a mold cavity. Exothermic Molding becomes known for producing high-quality, durable, non-corrosive housings for life-saving medical instruments, medical testing equipment, and laboratory devices.

  • 1991

    The third generation of the Steck family begins managing the company, moving it from its original location and purchases its own modern larger 10,500 square foot plant as part of growth and plans. This coincides with the addition of larger molding presses and a second metering unit from PAECO, a skylight manufacturer, allowing for the production of larger molded parts and the second line of chemistry.

  • 1994

    Exothermic purchases the plant facility to secure future development and operational continuity.

  • 1996

    The company upgrades to a second, new Hurco CNC machining center elevating its mold-making capability and capacity.

  • 2017

    Facility remodeled to expand manufacturing floorspace adding CNC machining capability and upgraded processing equipment for greater throughput efficiency. The company reduces its carbon footprint with the addition of solar panels, thermal windows, a high efficiency HVAC system.

  • 2018

    Exothermic Molding enters into a development relationship with Materia, Inc. to produce parts using PROXIMA® the Nobel Prize winning chemistry Proxima®, a superior strength, lighter plastic with excellent thermal tolerances.

  • 2019

    Exothermic Molding begins processing the first parts molded from PROXIMA® receiving plaudits from clients.

  • 2020

    The company expands to service new verticals, molding parts for a diverse slate of customers including a high-tech exercise equipment manufacturer, a breakthrough laboratory diagnostic disease detection device and a robotic delivery device, as well as wheels for a lunar landing vehicle.

  • 2021

    Exothermic Molding stands the test of time and celebrates its 50th Anniversary of manufacturing high quality parts.