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Public Press Release

B&C Plastics - Continuing its innovation journey with 3D printing technology

B&C Plastics specialises in plastic injection moulding and toolmaking for a variety of industries including homeware, mining, building and construction and electronics. It has an extensive capability of turning design ideas into prototypes and market-ready products using a sophisticated range of machinery and processes.

Since its purchase by two Directors in 2006, the company's focus has been on building strong relationships with customers, providing a rapid response to new requirements and offering innovative solutions. This focus has enabled B&C Plastics to quadruple its customer base and turnover by concentrating on its key unique selling points of superior customer service and product quality.

Always looking to improve, and a strong advocate for innovation, the company has engaged with a number of innovation programs in the past to remain at the cutting edge of what it does. These programs include Innovation Coaching, a joint initiative of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) and Queensland Government's Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).

The program assists SMEs with innovation strategy, knowledge transfer, commercialisation advice, access to networks and referrals to specialists. In 2009 the AIC supported B&C Plastics to grow the business through business model innovation and developing additional revenue streams. The program also assisted the company to more effectively manage intellectual property (IP) and to identify and attract government funding to support further growth.

Since completing the program, B&C Plastics has continued to grow, acquire new machinery and improve quality standards, having recently begun the application process for ISO9001 and ISO14001 accreditation. In its ongoing desire to grow and improve, the company looks for new opportunities and ways to innovate by scanning the environment for new ideas in Europe, North America and Asia as well as closer to home. B&C Plastics recently identified some UK-based technology which will complement and expand upon B&C Plastics' existing activities.

The technology involves a new three dimensional printing process that the B&C Plastics team has now brought to Australia, with exclusive rights to use it here and in New Zealand. The technology involves surface decorative technology and a sublimation printing process.
The B&C Plastics team have created a sister company, iPersonalised, to focus specifically on the new technology, working with a range clients to create customised products for single and mass production.

Royston Kent, of B&C Plastics and iPersonalised is delighted with the feedback so far:

"We've shown the new 3D printing process to a number of existing customers, as well as potential customers at trade shows, and the response has been phenomenal. From mobile phone covers to fishing reels, the way this technology can be used is endless and our customers are suggesting even more ways this unique process can be applied!
We can print on a range of surfaces including steel, plastic, glass and ceramic and we already have our first orders".
To make purchasing one-off items as easy as possible for the consumer, the iPersonalised website will allow certain items to be selected and paid for completely online, such as mobile phone covers:

"We aim to provide a straightforward way for customers to select an image they would like to use, and to select the medium they would like it printed on and to complete the transaction online quickly and efficiently" says Royston.
A collaborative approach to doing business is instrumental to the B&C Plastics and the iPersonalised team. One collaboration being developed at iPersonalised is working with local designers to encourage them to submit designs to be used by prospective customers.

Royston sees the new venture as an ideal way to increase the value provided to clients: "Our sister company will have something to offer our existing B&C Plastics clients, while new clients who come to us via iPersonalised may also have the need for B&C Plastics products and services".
It also offers the opportunity for additional revenue streams through the development of a new business model around the exclusive distribution licence for the technology in Australia and New Zealand.
iPersonalised is now fully operational and the fully transactional website will go live on 1 May 2011. This will be followed by an official company launch on 16 May.
The new company and its technology demonstrate the desire by the team to continually improve and evolve the value proposition offered to customers.

Denise Raybould, Senior Commercialisation Consultant at the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, worked with the team via the AIC's Innovation Coaching program: "The team is a great example of a client we've given innovation support to and who have run with it and built on what they've learnt. They are always looking for better and more innovative ways of doing things and this is paying dividends for them in business growth, new product development and in the new markets they are reaching out to".

www.injectionplasticmoulding.com.au

To find out more about this innovative new technology, contact Royston Kent at iPersonalised.

To find out more about the AIC’s Innovation Coaching program, visit our website or e-mail us at info@ausicom.com.

Photo two - Example of the 3D printing technology on mobile photo covers:

Photo three - Example of the 3D printing technology on a rifle handle:

How Businesses Can Save Thousands By Sourcing Local Products Rather Than Made in Asia

In recent years many businesses went off-shore to have their new product or invention taken from concept to manufacturing, as a way to cut costs. With the crash of the Australian dollar affecting imports and the increase in local know-how, smart businesses are taking a fresh look at local suppliers as a way of cutting costs.
One industry that particularly has seen this trend is tool making and plastic injection moulding. When business inventors come up with a new idea for a product, they need to take their concept from an idea through to prototype, tool manufacturing and then finally product manufacturing.
This is a complicated and time consuming process that needs a high level of skill to ensure the finished product meets end customers' needs. Inventors need to be able to communicate with their tool making and plastic injection moulding company to discuss options for effective manufacture as well as create design modifications for the best outcomes.

The plastic injection solutions locally in Australia

What the tool making industry is seeing is a resurgence of businesses looking at innovative Australian suppliers to meet their needs. Royston Kent from B&C Plastics is a typical case of the fresh approach of innovative local suppliers.
"Tool makers used to adopt a piecemeal process - with customers having to source different people to do different parts of the process. This meant having the job done in Australia was expensive and involved a lot of hassle. We work differently. We work with businesses right from the light bulb moment of inspiration, through the design and prototyping phase, into the dies and moulds phases, until the product is manufactured – that way they can get the most effective results."
"We have had a number of high profile companies come to us to help them take their concept through prototype and patenting into manufacture. We work closely with their research and development departments as they go through the full process of a new product development, helping them create plastics solutions that get results both for them and the consumer".
We Australians are an inventive bunch, and some of the projects we have been involved with like our Electronic, Marine and construction industry clients, have been very exciting in terms of the potential to change their way industries work. As they are still going through the patent process, we can't yet talk about the details – but they are mind-blowing!" said Royston.
"Our clients tell us that they really value the service and advice we provide to them. There are no communications hassles, our quality is up there with the best in the world and we have a guaranteed price point that isn't affected by Australian Dollar fluctuations. Our clients are finding they are getting better value by staying in Australia than they are by going offshore."
"One of the reasons for our great value for money is that B&C Plastics have invested heavily in new injection moulding machinery to keep pace with technology. For example we recently commissioned our 5 axis CNC machining centre. What this means is complex designs and prototypes can be machined in the same set up, increasing production rates. It also means more accurate designs with less errors – which means cost savings to our customers".

Tools for plastic moulds now developed and made in Australia

"With machining centre spindle speeds up to 30,000 rpm, we can achieve a much better surface finish on their tooling, which means less polishing and as a result our labour costs are reduced".
"That isn't to say our labour costs are negligible. I'd say our toolmakers and manufacturing experts are in the top 1% of skill levels within our industry. We hire the best and pay them accordingly - it means our clients get the benefit of exceptional skill and expertise, which can mean less reworking of designs because they bring their expertise to each project."
"We visit the overseas markets a few times a year to keep pace with the latest innovations within the industry, such as biodegradable plastics. We believe our clients shouldn't have to go overseas to get the latest technology at the best value".

If you would like more information or photos about this topic or to schedule Royston Kent for an interview, please contact Royston on 07 3208 0555.