Incoe, Beaumont join sales forces in hot/cold runner technology

Incoe Corp. and Beaumont Technologies Inc. (BTI) announced that they have entered into an agreement that will allow each company to sell the other’s products. Incoe is among the leaders in hot runner development and manufacture, and was the first developer of a “runnerless” molding system for the plastics industry, according to the company. BTI (Erie, PA) develops rheologically balanced, melt-management system designs and inserts (MeltFlipper) for cold and hot runner applications.

John Blundy, VP business development for Incoe (Troy, MI), noted that the two companies have had a relationship in place since 2003, with BTI providing hot runner manifold designs with the MeltFlipper balanced manifold technology exclusively under license to Incoe. “This new agreement puts Incoe in a unique position as a hot runner supplier by adding cold runner technology, and complete hot-to-cold systems,” Blundy stated. “Often the middle ground is hot-to-cold, and now you can have one company doing both. From the OEM or molder perspective, they now have a one-stop shop—whether it’s BTI or Incoe—to take over the whole project. We’re each selling our technology, but making it easy for the customer.”

Starting earlier this year, BTI has provided hot runner manifold designs with its patented MeltFlipper balanced manifold technology exclusively under license to Incoe for use in that company’s Opti-Flo hot runner systems. Cold runner technology provided by BTI will include design services and the new Rheological Control System (RCS) mold inserts introduced in June at the NPE tradeshow. The new agreement will allow BTI to offer its customer base hot runner systems from Incoe including Direct-Flo Gold and the recently introduced Quick-Flo.

David Hoffman, technical director of sales & marketing for BTI, added, “We’ve worked a lot with mutual customers, and through this agreement, we’re trying to streamline the process for our customers, who often told us it would be nice to go to a single source.” He noted that many of the companies’ molding customers use various runner systems, with the new sales arrangement making it easier to talk to all of a processor’s requirements. Blundy agreed. “It’s beneficial all the way around. We recognize that while we are very good at producing hot runner systems, there is other technology out there that complements what we do, so why not partner with that expert. This agreement provides a quick, confident solution to the customer. And it’s also nice to do business with people you call your friends.” —Clare Goldsberry