Silicones trio link to form the Rico Group

Thalheim, Austria – Silicone parts makers Rico Elastomere Projecting GmbH (REP) of Thalheim, Austria, Swiss injection moulder and toolmaker Silcoplast AG and US company Simtec Silicone Parts have formed an international elastomers and plastics processing ‘network’ called Rico Group.

The three-strong group was formed in April, when South Florida- based Simtec founder and president Enrique Camacho, "transferred his shares" to the venture, based at REP’s Thalheim HQ.

This followed a deal between the two European companies late last year, according to a 2 May announcement from REP.

Rico Group’s goal is to supply customers with a uniform high standard in mould technology, parts production and clean room production throughout the world.

Among other capabilities, it will leverage REP’s LSR and elastomer mould technology, including for two-shot applications.

In a statement, Alfred Griesbaum, Johannes Grabner and Gerhard Kornfelder, founders and owners of Rico and the Rico Group said the group could “solve technically challenging tasks together with our customers while supporting them from the development of their first designs to the finished products. We offer this service to our customers worldwide through the Rico Group."

According to the REP statement, the merger will not change the identity and culture of the individual sites or customers' contact partners.

“Under the umbrella of Rico Group, all customers will profit from an extended service offer and an increased service level at the same time,” it claimed. “Pending tasks will be solved with strong dynamics and coordinated within the group.”