Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Middle East Foam & Polyurethane
  • UTECH Asia/PU China
  • UTECH Europe
  • UTECH Las Americas
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Ukraine
  • News
    • Asia
    • Americas
    • Europe
    • M & A
    • Financial results
    • Automotive
  • Data
  • Information
    • Country Overview
    • Market Sector overviews
    • Technical articles
    • Company profiles and strategies
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Webinars / Livestreams
    • Become a Speaker
    • UTECH Europe 2021
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Issues
  • Subscribe
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Information
June 07, 2010 11:00 PM

ITWC grows upwards

Utech Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    ITWC grows upwards

    Malcom, Iowa-based ITWC Inc. rarely stands still, physically expanding seven times since it was founded in 1988. That doesn't include capacity expansions or the addition of machinery, employees and technologies, all of which are a common occurrence at the company.

    The reason is simple, ceo Walt Smith said: you can’t mark time, you’re either advancing or you’re retreating.

    ITWC is always advancing, he said, as is Newton, Iowa-based Thombert Inc., an industrial forklift tyre manufacturer, where Smith also serves as ceo.

    ITWC is doing it again.

    The firm is adding two large reactors, he said at the PMA conference, 9-11 May in Las Vegas.

    The company recently installed two 6000-gallon (22 700-litre) reactors at the Malcom facility, which will allow it to make tank-truck quantities in one batch, Smith said.

    One problem: the reactors were taller than ITWC’s plant. Its solution: raise the roof. It added 10 ft (3 m) of roof height to accommodate the reactors.

    With those moves, the company doubled the capacity of its most popular polyester prepolymer product line and created the opportunity to produce and ship full tank-truck quantities to customers.

    The reactors are expected to increase the nameplate capacity for prepolymers by about 35 million pounds (16 kilotonnes) annually.

    The additions give the company 20 reactors, Smith said, and allows it to dedicate smaller reactors to important smaller jobs for customers and maintain consistency.

    All the expansions have been spurred by a sales growth rate of about 15 percent a year, according to Smith, who added that he believes sales will continue to rise at a record pace.

    ITWC, which employs about 56, has completely bounced back from the recession of 2009, he said.

    “March was the best March we’ve ever had and we’ve been setting sales records since then. That probably has to do with our customers’ approval of what we produce and our service. We’re as vertically integrated as any company, which is a big advantage … because it gives us great flexibility.” The company has strong sales in North America and has developed a base overseas, especially in Germany and Spain. But there are problems selling polymers and prepolymers to companies in foreign lands, he admitted.

    “Some of the best things we make are tougher to ship,” Smith said. “And what we do best is offer superb service. But when you’re 17 hours away, it’s tough to be there when they need you.”

    Recommended for You
    Flag of Mexico
    Mexico looks to the north
    2022, Alesund, original, Norway, Laader Berg
    From Norway to the world
    2022, iStock, Machinery, cogs, 800.jpeg
    Machinery survey 2021: Room for improvement
    Latest Issue
    April/May 2022 issue
    Click HERE for Free Download
    View All Archives
    Get our newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Register to access our archive of leading information on the polyurethanes industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Follow us on social media for the latest polyurethanes industry news and event updates.

    Logo
    Contact Us

    Crain Communications
    11, Ironmonger Lane
    London
    EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom

    Editorial
    Phone +44 (0) 20 3287 5935
    Email click to send

    Customer Service
    Phone +1 313 446 0450
    Email click to send

    Resources
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Ukraine
    • News
      • Asia
      • Americas
      • Europe
      • M & A
      • Financial results
      • Automotive
    • Data
    • Information
      • Country Overview
      • Market Sector overviews
      • Technical articles
      • Company profiles and strategies
    • Events
      • Exhibitions
      • Conferences
      • Webinars / Livestreams
      • Become a Speaker
      • UTECH Europe 2021
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Issues
    • Subscribe