Fast, fluid,and flexible.
That trademarked saying is a major reason for the success of an Oconto County business that is still going strong after 40 years.
Nicolet Plastics marked the occasion June 25 by holding an open house for the public, customers and suppliers at its 41,000-square foot production facility, located at 16685 State Highway 32, Mountain.
The business opened its Mountain plant at its current location in 1986 and eventually opened a second facility in Jackson, where an open house was held June 18. A third facility in Ripon is currently used as warehouse space, but will eventually be converted into a third plant.
The Mountain and Jackson plants offered tours during their respective open houses.
Nicolet Plastics produces custom-made injection molding parts and products for a variety of industries, according to Bryce Huggins, the company’s business development leader.
“Nicolet Plastics originated here in 1986,” he said. “Bob MacIntosh was the owner.”
Nicolet Plastics began as a mold-making company and formed a plastic molding division before bringing both operations together.
MacIntosh sold the business in 2017 to NorthCliff, a diversified family-owned manufacturing group.
“In 2021, Nicolet Plastics acquired CNR Plastics, which is our Jackson site and that became part of our portfolio,” Huggins said. “Nicolet Plastics really focuses on being a partner to our customers. Mountain specializes in lower-volume, higher turnover-type components for our customers, and Jackson heavily focuses on the higher-volume components.”
Nicolet Plastics serves a diversified group of customers, according to Huggins.
“There are five overall market segments that we provide: industrial, commercial, medical, transportation/auto and aerospace,” he said. “We’re supplying components that go to construction and home supply, a lot of different assemblies for air and water flow.”
About 90% of products produced at the Mountain and Jackson plants are shipped to customers throughout the Midwest.
“The majority is in the Midwest, but we have products that are going to the West Coast, East Coast, Mexico, China,” Huggins said.
Products produced at both plants change from time to time, Huggins said.
“Commercial and industrial has been more of our consistent base for customers,” he said. “Medical has grown for us. We do things like foot pedals. We’re focusing on being that all-encompassing supplier. We want to solve the customers’ needs and really focus on the partnership.”
The plastics-making industry is extremely competitive, but Huggins said Nicolet Plastics is holding its own competing against much-larger companies.
“It’s a very fragmented market,” he said. “We set ourselves apart from some of the larger competition by being more partnership-focused and focus on the individual needs of that customer.”
The Mountain and Jackson facilities have just over 110 employees between the two plants. Most of the Mountain plant’s employees live in the area, but some commute from as far away as Green Bay, Crivitz, Antigo and the Fox Valley.
Huggins said there’s two good reasons why Nicolet Plastics has been able to thrive in Oconto County for 40 years.
“I think it’s a heavy focus on our people,” he said. “We are really people-driven and performance-focused. By putting people first and investing in their growth, that has translated to providing for our customers. We’re 40 years in business and we have many customers that have been with us since the beginning.”
Major award
Nicolet Plastics received an award earlier this year from Plastics News, an organization that reports on developments affecting North America’s plastics industry. The group ranked the company No. 7 on its list of “Best Places to Work in Plastics.”
“It’s based on employee engagement,” Huggins said. “Individuals have the opportunity to learn how to operate the presses and inventory management, all the different aspects of our business.”
Recent improvements at the Mountain plant include a 500-ton press and molding storage.
Huggins said it’s important to continue to invest in the plants and employees.
“We’ve continually been investing into new presses from a customer growth standpoint to remain competitive,” he said. “We want to be able to be a one-stop shop for anyone who’s looking for a new injection-molded product. In Jackson, we have two new 360-ton presses, and that has allowed us to grow and capture new programs. We’re continually investing in additional automation. Creating self-sustaining programs has been really valuable to our customers.”
Lisa Pichotta, Nicolet Plastics’ director of human resources, said 40 years in business is a major milestone for the company and the main reason behind the open house.
“The main thing is to celebrate the team members and their contributions and celebrate with the community and family members,” she said.
The open house and tours give customers and suppliers an opportunity to go behind the scenes and see how their products are produced, she said.
“We do that throughout the year, but this is another great opportunity to celebrate with them and seeing what we do here every day, because every day is different,” she said.
The Mountain plant employs 85 workers, Pichotta said.
“We have team members here that have come from internships, youth apprenticeships, college, etc., but that’s not the path for everyone,” she said. “Someone coming in at an entry level can develop into other positions within the companies. The opportunities are certainly here.”
Huggins said Nicolet Plastics is committed to stay in the Mountain area.
“With the new 500-ton press in here this year, we’re looking to capture new and better opportunities and bring them to Mountain,” he said. “We continue to position ourselves for growth. Our longevity really comes from that team approach and investing in our team members. That allows us and wants us to continue to invest in the community.”
Stewart Schaal, of Lakewood, explains his job June 25 during a tour at Nicolet Plastics’ plant. The business, located between Mountain and Lakewood on state Highway 32, held an open house that day to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Schaal has worked for the company for 35 years. (Greg Seubert)
