PRESS RELEASE: August 12th, 2005

From Shavers to Medical Caps, Surging Global Demand for High-Style, High-Volume Plastics Keeps BRAUNFORM Growing and Changing

Thirty years ago, when Founder and Director Erich Braun started BRAUN Formenbau GmbH in Bahlingen, Germany, the plastics industry was based almost purely on simple injection molding for mass manufacturer of plastic parts like toothbrushes and ketchup caps. The times have certainly changed. Today, plastic is used in almost every consumer item. BRAUNFORM alone produces complex injection mold solutions for manufacturers involved in personal hygiene, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics items, to name a few.

To keep pace and add value, multi-national mold making companies like BRAUNFORM have expanded their roles to include finding ways to make the manufacturing process easier and less expensive for clients. One way is by eliminating steps in the production chain. For example, when a pharmaceutical client came to BRAUNFORM with a powder inhaler comprised of numerous plastics parts, BRAUNFORM consolidated components into a unified, multi-material application requiring fewer parts and less tooling. The result was a BRAUNFORM-inspired, innovative tooling process that produces the inhaler with less components, increasing efficiency and saving the manufacturer time and money.

In 2004, BRAUNFORM opened an office in Pinellas Park, Florida to facilitate and educate the North American market on cutting-edge European technologies. By being closer to US clients and prospects, BRAUNFORM has seen an explosion of interest by US manufacturers for their innovative techniques. In fact, business volume from the US and abroad is at the heart of a recent expansion and name change for the veteran mold maker.

On September 1, 2005, the company will change its name to Braunform GmbH – Plastics and Pharma Technology. In addition, the company is expanding its operations in Germany by nearly 10%. The new space will add a special temperature-controlled environment geared toward larger cavity tooling and technology for consumer and personal care product lines. Set to open in October 2005, the nearly $2.5 million dollar investment will grow the facility to well over 110,000 square feet.

“The US market has brought changing demands,” reports Erich Braun. “In particular, the high-volume requirements of global packaging and consumer product manufacturers demand larger tooling capabilities.”

Another difference is the need for cost-effective methods of delivering fancier styling for plastic items while still keeping manufacturing costs competitive enough for the price-sensitive North American and emerging markets. This is another area where BRAUNFORM’s experience, innovation and commitment help the company shine. By consolidating business services, manpower and equipment, these changes follow the vision, set by the founders of BRAUNFORM.

“We are taking the next logical steps in moving forward with our vision in the global marketplace,” said Erich Braun.