The American company is expanding its multi-layer fuel tank production capacity with having placed an order for another KBSmart120, which expected to be production-ready in Q4 2017.

The Kautex machines in the KBSmart range are specially designed for the production of small plastic fuel containers up to 40 liters. With the aid of a six-layer die head, the plastic containers manufactured on it in the co-extrusion process can be fitted with an EVOH barrier coating, as has been used in the global automobile industry for many years. Stricter legal requirements by the Californian emission protection agency CARB have also made this procedure necessary for non-automobile applications for the turf equipment and powersports industries.

Founded in 1978, Agri Industrial Plastics Co. is now among the leading manufacturers of large-format plastic parts. A total of 26 EBM machines are currently in operation at the Fairfield, Iowa facility which measures 30,000 square meters (340,000 square feet), including six, soon to be seven CoEx models from Kautex Maschinenbau. Almost exclusively, Agri uses blow-moulding machines from the Bonn-based company.

“Since our initial investment in multi-layer co-extrusion capability in 2004, we’ve continued adding production capacity to meet growing customer demand for low perm gas tanks,” says Lori Schaefer-Weaton, president of Agri Industrial. “KAUTEX Machines has been our preferred supplier-partner for over 35 years. We leverage their industry-leading technology to ensure we’re providing highest quality products to our valued customers.”

“Our business relationship with Agri Industrial has grown over many years,” confirms Kautex Managing Partner Andreas Lichtenauer. “During this time, Kautex has continually further developed its machine technology according to the requirements of the American market. Through the close collaboration with Agri Industrial, we have been able to ensure that our models always cater fully to the demand for smaller gas tanks for non-automotive applications.”

What unites both companies is the need to continually develop world-class process capability to meet the increasing performance demands of non-automotive OEMs. Customer service plays a major role here, both for Kautex Maschinenbau and for Agri-Industrial. The shared strategy is also reflected within corporate communication. Agri Industrial promises its customers “custom moulding, taken to the next level”, while Kautex Maschinenbau has chosen a very similar trade fair slogan for K 2016: “Setting benchmarks for high production performance”.