Our History
More than five decades of precision manufacturing — from a 1,000 sq ft shop in Burr Oak to an 80,000 sq ft facility in Sturgis, Michigan.
Five Decades of Growth
What began as a two-person mold shop has grown into one of Michigan’s established custom injection molders — built step by step, on maintained equipment and repeatable quality.
Midwest Plastic Engineering began in 1972 as Baker Mold & Tool, a 1,000-square-foot shop in Burr Oak, Michigan founded by Dennis and Judy Baker. In those early years the company produced injection molds, jigs and fixtures, and specialized machinery for its customers. Over the next two years it added two separate 1,600-square-foot expansions — the first for tool-and-die fabrication and a small office, and the second, in 1974, to house two used injection presses — bringing the shop to 4,200 square feet. That first step into molding led to the formation of Midwest Plastic Engineering, Inc. in 1975, with Baker Mold & Tool continuing alongside the new molding business.
As demand grew, so did the operation. A second building — another 4,200 square feet — was constructed in 1978 to house injection molding, and in 1980 a 5,200-square-foot addition was built onto it, with six presses running at full capacity. That same year the company purchased an adjacent building for assembly work, and Baker Mold & Tool ceased operations and merged fully into Midwest Plastic Engineering. Over the next five years the press count grew from six to fourteen, running around the clock at least five days a week — until the utility services in Burr Oak could no longer keep up with the company’s needs.
In 1985, Midwest Plastic Engineering broke ground on a new 40,000-square-foot facility in Sturgis, Michigan, bringing every part of the operation under one roof — moving in with fourteen presses, the largest a 400-ton machine. As the work kept coming the press count climbed to eighteen, and when space filled up again a second 40,000-square-foot addition followed in 1989, doubling the plant to its current 80,000 square feet. Through the rest of the decade MPE kept adding capacity, reaching thirty-two injection molding machines by the end of 1999 — the count it still runs today — with ample warehouse space for raw materials and finished product.
Humble Beginnings in Burr Oak
Founded by Dennis and Judy Baker in Burr Oak, Michigan as Baker Mold and Tool — two employees and 1,000 sq ft, producing precision injection molds for customers across the region.
The First Injection Presses
The second of two 1,600 sq ft expansions — bringing the shop to 4,200 sq ft — made room for the company’s first two injection presses, the step from tool-and-die work into molding that led to the company’s formation the following year.
Midwest Plastic Engineering Is Established
With injection molding underway, the business was formally established as Midwest Plastic Engineering, Inc., a custom injection molder. For the next five years, Baker Mold & Tool and Midwest Plastic Engineering operated side by side.
A Building for Molding
A second 4,200 sq ft building was constructed to house the growing injection molding operation; a 5,200 sq ft addition followed in 1980, along with an adjacent building for assembly.
One Company Going Forward
Baker Mold and Tool ceased operations and merged into Midwest Plastic Engineering, and the business carried on under the single Midwest Plastic Engineering name.
New Home in Sturgis, MI
MPE moved to a brand-new 40,000 sq ft facility in Sturgis with 14 injection molding machines — the largest a 400-ton press — expanding its tool-building and assembly operations.
The Next Generation Joins
Scott Baker, Dennis and Judy’s oldest son, joined the company after earning his Plastics Technology degree from Ferris State University.
Doubling Down
By 1989 MPE had grown to 18 injection molding machines with no room left to add more. A second 40,000 sq ft addition doubled the facility to 80,000 sq ft.
A Second Son Comes Aboard
Kirby Baker joined the company after completing his undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kalamazoo College.
Industrial Pride Award
The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce honored MPE with its 1998 Industrial Pride Award for Property Improvement.
Scaling Up to 32 Presses
As customer demand grew, MPE added 14 more injection molding machines by the end of 1999 — reaching 32 presses, including its two largest, a 725-ton and an 850-ton machine.
Certified Elite Vendor
Armstrong International recognized MPE with Certified Elite Vendor status.
ISO 16232 Cleanliness Lab
A state-of-the-art ISO 16232 Cleanliness Testing Lab was added — verifying particulate cleanliness of automotive clean-side air intake components.
32 Machines. One Facility.
MPE operates in its 80,000 sq ft facility with 32 injection machines from 75 to 850 tons, serving industries nationwide with the same commitment to quality we started with in 1972 — still family owned and operated.
Built to last — and still growing.
Put five decades of molding experience to work on your program.