Every 10 seconds the injection molding machine opens and spits out a remarkable structure: in front a screw closure made of transparent plastic, at the rear a mold roughly 10 centimeters in length. “These parts are called preforms,” says Stefano Mirti. “In a second stage the rear part is heated and then blown up,” explains the employee at Husky Injection Molding Systems. And the 1.5-liter coke bottle is finished.

Mirti is the General Manager for Sales & Service in Western Europe. The injection molding specialist based in Canada, with production centers worldwide, has resided in Düdelingen since 1985 – unknown to most Luxembourgers, however, since the customers come only from industry: Manufacturers of soft drinks, vodka, mineral water, ketchup and detergent need packaging. And Husky supplies the molds. “Usually the bottle is more expensive than the contents,” Mirti says with a grin. The second pillar of the Group is the heating ducts that inject the plastic into the molds. In addition Husky provides all services related to injection molding.

Up to 250 million preforms

The molds from Husky have to withstand a lot. For example, up to 250 million preforms are manufactured each year in such a PET preform system. “Even a tiny problem here would mean a catastrophe,” Mirti notes.

But he can afford to joke – in Düdelingen everything runs perfectly. And on top of that his company has received a coveted prize: the Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce Business Award. On October 20th Mirti will receive the award on behalf of the work force from the hands of Grand Duke Guillaume at a gala dinner in New York. Several hundred guests will be attending the event, held every two years.

The purpose of the award is to strengthen the trade relations in existence for decades between the USA and Luxembourg, and to promote the development of the company in the USA. “Of course, we’re very pleased,” beams Mirti. “We’ll be discussing the award at our monthly meeting with the employees.”

For Mirti, Luxembourg is not just a great location because it’s his home. “Our work here is very automated. We’re one of the most efficient factories in the entire Group. And on the management level Luxembourg is considered a springboard to the Executive Board of the Group,” the engineer confides.

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Source: WORT. LU / Charles Carantini