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TB Plastic Extrusions Now a Direct Supplier to OEMs, Tier 1.
by Ron Barger
In 1999 Rodrigo Cortes Sr. left Santa Ana, Calif., to move to Elkhart, Ind., when a friend offered his family a new opportunity in the plastic extrusion business. Over the last 25 years Cortes Sr. developed his expertise in the plastic industry working with some of the premier parts suppliers to the RV marine and automotive industries in the Midwest.
Working with some of the biggest names in the plastic industry in the area – such as Eddie Kay, Carlos Díaz, Norm Newhouse, Andy Zimmer and Ed Ksiezopolski – Cortes Sr. honed his expertise to become one of the most sought after production processes managers for plastic manufacturing firms.
In September of 2006 Cortes Sr. established TB Plastic Extrusions (The Best Plastic Extrusions) and began production in May of 2008, as an exclusive producer for LTI/BOYD Corporation.
“My attention then turned to the growth and success of our business,” Cortes Sr. recently shared with RVBusiness. “The early challenges were considerable, but with the support and collaboration of BOYD and our team, we built a strong foundation, achieving annual sales between seven and nine million dollars.”
The pandemic presented unique challenges to the firm, particularly with staffing shortages.
“Yet, we achieved a remarkable 40% increase in sales, reaching $14 million,” shared Cortes Sr. “We operated three shifts, working 24/6 to meet rising demand. During this time, I began to semi-retire, but only after ensuring a smooth transition by offering the management leadership of the company to Carlos Díaz”
But upon his retirement in Sarasota, Fla., he felt compelled to acquire a mold and tooling company founded in the 1990s. The company had a strong track record, having served various industries, including government, weapons manufacturing, and the medical field.
Today, with the experience and knowledge gained over the years, TB Plastic Extrusions stands stronger than ever, supported by an exceptional team that includes Carlos Díaz, who brings over 26 years of experience in the field; Xochitl Pacheco and Lourdes Cortes in quality control, each with at least 26 years of experience.
