Member Spotlight- Plastics Extrusion Machinery, LLC
At Plastics Extrusion Machinery LLC, innovation in the plastics industry is on full display. The company, commonly known as PEM, engineers and builds downstream equipment used in the plastic extrusion process, where plastic is melted and formed into products such as PVC pipe and vinyl siding.
Director of Operations Nick Ward explained that PEM specializes in everything that happens after the pipe is formed. “We make the machines that pull it, cool it, cut it, bend it, stack it, and put it on a truck. That’s where all of our equipment comes into play,” Ward said. “Anything from half inch diameter that you have in your house, all the way up to 60-inch diameter they bury underground for large municipalities.”
Visitors to PEM quickly notice the company’s strong PVC pipe theme throughout the building, from the lobby to the breakroom, much of it inspired by architectural concepts developed by CEO Nathan Spearman’s son while attending Kansas State University. Ward noted, “You’ll see many aspects of the building are PVC pipes. That’s probably 90% of our business. We are the predominant provider for anything here in North America.”
PEM’s central location in Kansas plays a major role in the company’s success, especially when it comes to shipping its large-scale equipment across the country. “Everything that we ship out is either on a semi or a flatbed of some kind,” Ward said. “We just shipped out four units, the smallest thing that we make for vinyl siding. Our largest unit is seven semis — weighing 43,000 pounds.” Inside the manufacturing facility, teams handle everything from welding and fabrication to painting and precision milling. Massive custom machine frames can weigh up to 35,000 pounds when completed, while specialized equipment throughout the shop allows employees to perform highly customized machining operations. Spare parts are strategically organized throughout the facility, helping the company maintain efficient customer support and service.
Founded in 1979 for engineering purposes, PEM has built long-standing relationships throughout the plastics industry. Ward said many of the company’s customers have remained with PEM for decades. “Most of the customers we deal with have not changed since 1979,” he said. “The majority of everybody’s just growing up together and adapting together, especially on new product development.” Since Spearman purchased the company in 2017, PEM has continued to grow, moving into its current facility in September 2021 and expanding its workforce to more than 100 employees. The company’s breakroom prominently displays its core purpose: “To serve humanity by enabling the manufacture of plastic materials that flow life-giving resources to our community and to the rest of the world.” PEM also emphasizes values centered on faith, people, truth, trust, humility, excellence, and service. Today, the privately held company continues to serve as a major hub for the plastics industry, employing experienced engineers, designers, fabricators, assemblers, and customer support professionals dedicated to advancing innovative downstream equipment for the PVC pipe and custom profile industries. Visit the Plastics Extrusion Machinery LLC at pemusa.com to learn more about their services and products or you can call the PEM office at 620-241-3873. Photos from Chamber Connections hosted by Plastics Extrusion Machinery can be found here.
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