Company acquiring state-of-the-art technology

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Spanish Town-based thermoplastics manufacturer Omni Industries has announced a significant boost to its production capabilities stemming from a J$40 million investment in an advanced injection moulding machine. 

The strategic upgrade will double the company’s production capacity for high-demand products, such as brewery crates, positioning Omni to meet increased market demands and expand its customer base.

With a lifespan of approximately 15 years, this advanced system utilises a specialised servo and transducer-controlled injection moulding process, which reduces energy consumption by adjusting the motor speed and torque based on the machine’s demand at each phase of the process.

It is also more sustainable than older models, reducing material and water waste and improving overall resource efficiency. Omni is now the only thermoplastics manufacturer in Jamaica with this state-of-the-art technology.

Replacing the older models used 

Omni’s Plant Manager, Chockalingam Ramasamy explains, “Our new injection moulding machine, supplied by Milacron India will replace the older models we used, which consumed three times the power for the same output. Milacron India is recognised as the largest manufacturer and seller of injection moulding machines, and this upgrade will not only boost our production capacity but it will allow us to offer more competitive pricing locally and open up new markets overseas.”

Omni’s technical staff are fully equipped to operate the new machine with engineers from Milacron providing comprehensive training both during installation and for a week following the setup. A portion of proceeds from Omni’s recent Initial Public Offering, which successfully raised J$500 million has been earmarked for this retooling and expansion effort. 

Managing Director, Patrick Kumst says the overall growth plans are progressing smoothly noting, “as outlined in the prospectus, Omni is currently focused on retooling and introducing new products to enhance efficiency and expand our product line. The plan includes decommissioning existing machines and replacing them with new, more efficient machines. These upgrades, which are moving apace, are expected to generate cost savings of J$6 million annually due to reduced energy consumption, less downtime, and fewer spare parts required.”

More machines being acquired

By the year-end and into the first quarter of next year, Omni plans to acquire additional equipment like a Schoeller label printer and a bottle crate mould, allowing further expansion into the paint packaging industry and increased pipe income, supported by the government’s accelerated water projects. 

Among the new products in the pipeline are crates for agricultural use, including those for bananas and other vegetables; large family-sized laundry baskets with covers; small milk and juice crates for use by juice manufacturers in production and cold storage; and bread trays designed for both the manufacturing process and transportation to customers.

In its second-quarter financial report, the thermoplastic leader surpassed the billion-dollar milestone at its half-year mark. Year-to-date revenues for the period in review reached $1.0845 billion—up 0.26% from the same period in the previous fiscal year.