ThermoFab, a supplier of heavy gauge plastic enclosures and related single use components for the medtech and other regulated industries, reports that it has acquired key reaction injection molding (RIM) assets from Mearthane Products Corp. All RIM components will be manufactured in ThermoFab’s USMCA-compliant Mexicali facility, allowing for efficient delivery throughout North America with no tariffs. This strategic investment significantly enhances ThermoFab’s RIM molding capacity, improving production efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing complex, high-performance enclosures, the company said in the announcement.

Mearthane Products Corp., based in Apex, NC, is specialized in the development and manufacture of advanced polyurethane products.

Supporting production of intricate, lightweight molded parts

The newly acquired assets include multiple custom-built hydraulic down-stroke molding presses that can accommodate component sizes from 36 x 48 to 60 x 78 inches, with pressures up to 8,000 PSI. The machines are equipped with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), precision mixing heads, and advanced hydraulic systems, enabling the production of impact-resistant large, intricate, and lightweight molded components.

The acquisition also includes advanced RIM dispensing systems with dual pressurized tank assemblies, high-performance temperature controllers, and integrated mixing technologies. The systems enhance material consistency, reduce cycle times, and allow for the processing of a range of polyurethane formulations — including high-impact structural foams and elastomers — for medical, industrial, and defense applications, said ThermoFab.

The benefits of ThermoFab’s expanded RIM capabilities include:

Tariff-free production in new Mexican facility

The integration of these assets into its new 50,000-square-foot Mexicali facility enables cost-effective nearshore manufacturing with enhanced capabilities and faster turnaround times, the company said. All RIM components produced in Mexicali are fully USMCA-compliant and exempt from tariffs, offering a significant advantage for North American customers, added ThermoFab.

Applications of the technology cited by the company include surgical robotics, organ transport devices, genetic sequencing devices, people scanning technologies, autonomous robots, and information systems. ThermoFab said that its capabilities encompass the entire production lifecycle, from design and initial prototyping to full-scale production and assembly.

Shirley, MA–based ThermoFab is a subsidiary of the Producto Group, a portfolio company of Culper Capital Partners. A contract manufacturer and supplier of precision tooling and components for the life sciences, semiconductor, aerospace, and defense sectors, Producto acquired ThermoFab in 2022.