
Name of project: INOVA - MAX 4.0
Location: Pombal
Deadline for implementation: 24 months (01/07/2019 to 30/06/2021)
Eligible investment: 12.996.300,00 Euros
Non-refundable incentive: 3.249.075,00 Euros
The project is inserted in the expansion plan of the activity, with the expansion of the installations to double the current ones, including the construction of 2 new industrial spaceships, for the installation of new injection cells of larger tonnage (up to 2,300 tons).
The investment also includes the construction of a new warehouse with the most modern internal logistics technology, using autonomous guided vehicles (AGV).
The present investment project will also include the offer of new technologies for the production of plastic parts such as IMD, Variotherm and Muccel, in order to meet current and future customer needs.
Today, MAXIPLÁS still uses the normal production methods, with great incorporation of human resources in the various tasks of production and assembly of parts. The machines have simple robots only to remove the parts from the machine and place them on the conveyor belt next to the machine, being the operator who will then follow the process manually.
After the implementation of this project, 4 robots of 6 axes will be acquired so that we can create automated production cells, in which the robots take the parts out of the machine, do all the accessory operations (for example labeling, assembly, welding of parts, placement of inserts ...) and pack the part, completing the whole process without human resources intervention. Then the packaging goes to the warehouse, also in an automated way since an AGV (automated pallet truck) is going to circulate alone in the factory.

Designation of the project: New Facilities at MAXIPLÁS
Project code: POCI-02-0853-FEDER-018870
Main goal: Strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises
Region of intervention: Pombal
Beneficiary entity: MAXIPLÁS – PLÁSTICOS DE ENGENHARIA, LDA.
Approval date: 16-11-2016
Start date: 01-04-2016
Date of the conclusion: 31-03-2018
Total eligible cost: 5.555.546,00 euros
Financial support from the European Union: FEDER – 2.777.773,00 euros
– Improve the efficiency of the production process, namely at the level of automation and evolution in the most precise and technologically advanced production machines;
– Increase the level of billing while maintaining a favorable gross margin and controlling current expenses, demonstrating the feasibility of the project in the company;
– Entering new sectors of activity beyond the automotive sector, in order to have a greater diversification of injected parts and increase direct exports;
– Intensify relations with Tier 1 suppliers - Tier 1;
– Differentiate more and more from direct and indirect competition in terms of technical quality and compliance with deadlines;
– To evolve at the level of the personnel, creating more qualified jobs and offering training to the current, in the areas of greater need;
– Reduce the weight of subcontracts in the companys cost structure.
Results to be achieved:
– Make an investment in both new machinery and construction / remodeling works to be around 6,200,000.00 euros until March 2018;
– Achieve a turnover of over EUR 8 500 000 in 2020;
– Reduce by 2020 at least 5% the weight of the automotive industry in total injected plastic parts;
– Achieve a direct export rate of at least 20% in 2018;
– Start a new partnership with at least one more Tier 1 vendor;
– Create at least 10 more jobs by the end of 2018, increasing the license fee by more than 10%;
– Reduce subcontracting by around 2% compared to total billing by 2020.

