PTi Marks 30th Anniversary as Leading Supplier of Sheet Extrusion Systems in North America

Co-Founders Dana Hanson and Jon Roberts

 Began Success Story Working from Home in 1988

AURORA, Ill., May 7, 2018 - Processing Technologies International, LLC (PTi), a leading global manufacturer of high-performance sheet extrusion machinery, is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a leading producer of sheet extrusion equipment for the packaging, construction, and automotive markets. The company, co-founded by President Dana Hanson and Senior Vice President Jon Roberts, has grown from humble beginnings in Hanson's house to its current position as a strategic global manufacturer with its recently expanded plant in Aurora and a workforce of 110. 

Hanson earned a bachelor's of science in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University in 1981 and a master's of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois-Champaign in 1985. In 1988, Hanson started PTi out of his house with co-founder Roberts and later that year moved into a modest 5000 ft² industrial building with four employees. "Our success has been built by the many great employees who have continued to innovate and lead our company to new heights in terms of quality, performance, responsiveness, and professionalism," said Hanson. "Our simple formula has been to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and engineering, and always being ready to provide close personalized service to our many customers."

With machinery installations in over 22 countries, PTi continues to successfully supply extrusion equipment to its core market - the packaging industry. PTi now occupies a 100,000 ft^.2 modern crane facility and features a 15,000 ft² Technology Development Center (TDC) that offers two advanced demonstration sheet extrusion systems for performing customer process trials. The company has a fleet of six service vans that are "tool" equipped for performing various field service tasks (installations, equipment modifications, maintenance, etc.). And the company continues to expand its PTi University concept of training services offered to customers as an extension of services within the TDC facility.

PTi's brands are well-established platforms among the many major producers of disposable packaging. They include the G-SERIES^® and SUPER-G^® sheet extrusion systems, REVOLUTION^® industrial roll stands, and TITAN^® controls for machine automation. Backed by a highly trained workforce with more than 30 college-degreed engineers, PTi has always prided itself on its technical expertise and engineering prowess. PTi has been awarded nine design patents with many others in the pipeline for innovations related to sheet extrusion machinery.

Among key milestones, PTi was selected in the early 2000s to supply a major Tier 1 auto parts supplier. A total of seven large multilayer sheet extrusion systems were supplied for processing of fuel tank materials, supporting the customer's model years from 2002 to 2005 at 1.2 million vehicles per year. Additionally, following the successful installation of several state-of-the-art sheet co-extrusion systems, PTi was featured in Super Bowl commercials by WeatherTech^® in 2016 and 2017.

PTi is a leading producer of complex barrier sheet extrusion systems worldwide with 30 installations and a leading producer of high-capacity PP inline sheet extrusion systems for directly feeding a thermoformer with rates as high as 10,000 lb/hr. In 2010, PTi formed a strategic business alliance with Italy's Bandera, whose patented High-Vacuum Twin-Screw Extruder (HVTSE™) technology allows PET to be processed without the need for raw material drying and crystallizing. Integrating this unique technology with its sheet producing machinery products, PTi has also become a leading North American supplier of dryer-less PET sheet extrusion systems with 24 installations. 

Hanson says that among the many key industry trends that face customers today is an overall reduction in a company's experienced workforce as many young people choose different career paths. This is a concern across many market sectors including sheet extrusion, thermoforming, pipe and profile, film, and foam. "As a result, machinery manufacturers are required to address this trend with equipment that features intuitive controls that are relatively easy to operate," said Hanson. "This also led to the genesis of PTi University to aid with customer workforce training at our TDC facility."

With an eye on the future, Hanson says: "We'll continue doing what we do best, innovate and supply high-quality equipment consistent with our reputation for performance." He expects his company to take some time and reflect over its past accomplishments "but right now things are incredibly busy and they don't seem to be letting up any time soon."

About Processing Technologies International, LLC (PTi)                                                    Processing Technologies International, LLC, based in Aurora, Ill., is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance sheet extrusion machinery, serving more than 20 countries. Established in 1988, PTi produces and services single-screw extrusion equipment for many end-use markets including packaging, construction, automotive, lawn and garden, office products, signage and displays, and appliances. PTi's extrusion systems are engineered to exacting standards and offer an exceptional range of design features which result in superior equipment performance. More information is available by calling (630) 585-5800 or visit www.ptiextruders.com.