PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY MARCH 29 1983, WHITBY FREE PRESS PROGRESS EDITION S-ALUTE TOgPROGESS Duram ould opens new plant i*n 1982 Duramould Limited was living proof that i- dustrial progress in Whltby hasn't.stagnated with the rest of the economy. With the opening of a new plant in December 1982, Duramould ex- panded it.s operation from 5,000 to 12,000 square f eet and created four new jobs. Owners Klaus Kachel and Don Holter say the need for steel moulds to make plastic and alumi- num product8 slowed considerably in 1902, but that just meant they worked 40 hours a week instead of 60. The new plant, which employs about 20 skilled tool-makers and machinists, is located on Crown Court in Whit- by in the heart of the in- dustrial basin. The highly specialized mould-making opera- ation is one of only ýa handful of companies in Canada that manu- factures customi-made moulds for companies around the world. Mouild-making is a complicated and exact science, one that re- quires knowledge of engineering, designîng and drafting, tool- making and machining. The simple plastic knob on your car heater is the final result of an intri- cate procesof design- ing a mould, making a blueprint, cutting the mould from raw blocks of steel to within one- thousandth of an inch, and polishing it as smooth as glass. Mr. Kachel and Mr. Holter worked together as mould-makers for 10 years before deciding to open up shop for them- selves. Seven years ago, they started with a 2,500 square-foot plant at Thickson Road and Wentworth Street. They had only one employee, and worked around the dlock to meet the steady stream of orders for custom-made moulds. They make moulds for such diverse produets as soap dispensers, tele- vision- converters, mis- siles, housings for chain saws and watch cases. Moulds range from pocket-sized plastic dials to 12,000-pound moulds for automotive parts. It can take up to 4,000 man-hours to com-, plete a mould from the design stage to the finished product. The mould for a plastic car vent may take 30 to 40 hours just to design. Mr. Holter and Mr. Kachel also make moulds whlch allow companles Wo use two colours of plastic in their manufactrng process. This means manufacturers don't have to paint ýproduets that will become worn. Each mould is a new challenge, and every one is different, says Mr. Kachel, but quality (See page 15) DURAMO-1ULD LTD. ',Specïoa ists in design and manufacturiug of moulds for the plastics & die casting industr y." (v h