Plastic Injection Molding Consulting Specialist Tony Firth
Affiliate Consultant Tony Firth
Injection Molding Consultant
Plastic Injection Molding Consultant Tony Firth
Tony Firth is plastics industry veteran with extensive experience in North American and European plastics machinery and automation sales. A technical background in polymer engineering serves as the foundation for his accumulated experience and know-how relating to the various injection molding process and automation techniques and systems.  Experience in general management, sales and marketing management, plant and production management, purchasing, specialist in process engineering, equipment valuation and market development; all related to the plastics processing industry. A trained toolmaker and mold designer, with hands-on mold processing experience, knowledgeable about the various injection molding specialty techniques: multi-material, structural foam, gas assist, LSR, thermoset, thin-wall, IML, insert molding, over-molding, etc. Trained to proficiency in extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and RIM techniques and systems. Strong background in machinery design, screw design and automation. General management of UK and US based machinery suppliers.
  • 5 years in 3D mold design consulting
  • Trained injection molding specialists
  • Process analysis and troubleshooting using scientific molding techniques 
  • Many years in capital equipment technical training, sales, and marketing
  • Knowledgeable about most upstream, downstream and specialty injection molding processes – material preparation and conveying, mold preparation, water cooling, automation, sprue separation, welding/joining, printing, IML, insert molding, multi-material techniques, gas injection, structural foam, etc.
Experience
Private Practice
2018 – Present
President 
  • Provides consulting and sales services to a range of equipment manufacturers in the plastics industry
​
Negri Bossi North America, Sytrama USA, Negri Bossi Mexico and Negri Bossi Canada
2011 – 2018
President
  • A manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery, robots and automation systems
  • Handled General Management duties for each company
  • Led the Sales & Marketing effort in each market, providing technically useful solutions to the most demanding customer applications

Industrial Process Systems, LLC
​2008 – 2011
President
  • An independent sales representative company selling plastics equipment to the NE USA and Canada
  • Products included equipment for injection molding, extrusion, drying, blending, material handling, temperature control, robotics and automation

Clearsky Enclosures, LLC
2003 - 2008
Managing Partner 
  • Design and installation of custom, high-end glass enclosures to residential and commercial markets 

Sandretto USA, Inc.
1996 - 2002
General Manager
  • A manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery 30 to 6000 tonnes
  • GM and Sales Management functions
  • Spearheaded Sales & Marketing in USA and Canada

Sandretto SpA, Milan, Italy
1994 - 1996
International Technical Sales Manager 
  • Sales support for certain European markets – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Holland
  • Sales support for North American market – USA and Canada
  • International key account management
  • Member of the Strategic Marketing Committee – product development

Sandretto UK
1982 - 1994
Managing Director 
  • A manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery 30 to 6000 tonnes selling to the UK and Irish markets
  • GM responsibilities

Plasmold Tools Limited UK
1978 - 1982
Senior Mold Designer
  • Plastic injection mold design [pre-CAD]
  • Component design
  • Drawing office manager

Birkbys Plastics Limited UK
1974 - 1978
Moldmaker and Injection Molding Technician
  • A four-year multi-disciplinary plastics engineering apprenticeship with practical and theoretical training in: Mold making, mold design, production planning, quality control, work-time study, injection molding, thermoset molding, and production management
Education
  • GEC Business School, Birmingham, UK, 1990-1992
    • Finance for Management
    • Diploma in Management Accounting Principles and Practices
  • Institute of Sales Management, Birmingham, UK, 1982-1987
    • Sales & Marketing Program
  • Airedale Technical College, Pudsey, UK, 1974-1978
    • HNC Mechanical Engineering
    • City & Guilds of London Institute – Mechanical Engineering Diploma
Professional Associations
  • 1990 – 1994:  Member and Chairman of the PMDA.  UK plastics machinery association
  • 2012 – 2018:  Member of US PLASTICS Machinery Council
  • 2017: PLASTICS CES IMM Chair
  • SPE Member 
Contact Tony