Beyond Commodity

Remember that there's a difference between something that's just good enough and something that's built to last.

In the world of utility products, they are often seen as mere commodities—interchangeable, generic, and easily replaceable. But at API, we see things differently. To us, these products represent a crucial component of a reliable and lasting infrastructure, and we take pride in crafting them to be more than just another item on a list.

What sets our products apart is our commitment to customization, durability, and quality. We don't just offer standard products; we work closely with our customers to create products that meet their specific needs. Each product is uniquely tailored to its intended use.

The confidence we have in our products comes from years of testing and a dedication to using the best materials and manufacturing processes available. When we hear stories about products breaking down in the field, we can say with certainty that it's not one of ours. Our products are engineered to stand the test of time, providing reliable service year after year.


Rotational Molding vs Injection Molding

We are often asked by prospective customers which plastic manufacturing process is best suited for their products.  Many times, the discussions are with entrepreneurs who have a great idea but don’t know how to see it to fruition.  There are several factors to consider when determining the right process for your product. These include size, volume, complexity, and costs.  Let’s highlight some of the pros and cons for rotational molding and injection molding.

Rotational Molding Pros

Ideal for large hollow and double-walled parts

Uniform wall thickness

Lower tooling and start-up costs

Rotational Molding Cons

Slow production cycles

Lower production

Less precision and detail compared to injection molding

Injection Molding Pros

Ideal for mass production of small to medium sized parts

Suitable for parts requiring tight tolerances and surface detail

Fast production cycles

Injection Molding Cons

High initial tooling costs

Expensive for low volume production

We have seen examples where customers focused on lower start-up costs choose to rotomold their product to prove the concept and to assess sales.  Once proven, injection molds were purchased to lower the pricing for the product due to higher volumes and much faster processing.

API offers rotational and injection molding from our facility in Gainesville, Texas.  Let us support you on your next project.


The Revolutionary MOD 20 Pedestal

API has been producing above grade secondary electrical pedestals in Gainesville, Texas for 27 years.  We have built a reputation on the durability of our enclosures and our permanent, molded-in warning labels and logos.  Our goal is to produce the safest pedestals for your neighborhoods and our latest offering continues that tradition.  Using feedback from lineman and engineers at various utilities, we sought out to solve the problems they are currently presented with.  We are excited to introduce the MOD20.  API’s MOD20 pedestal is a modular unit that can be used as an above grade enclosure or below grade vault by simply changing the lid.   Although this is not a revolutionary concept, we have combined the modular function with our superior durability to produce a pedestal that will be a replacement for comparable failed units as well as a great foundation for new projects.  Like all our other pedestals, the MOD20 is available with permanent, molded-in warning labels and logos, temporary service doors, pre-mounted connectors, and a variety of color options.  Visit our website at https://api-plastics.com/find-your-rep/ to find your area representative or email amberhill@api-plastics.com for more information.

 

 

 

 


A woman in a blue dress and a man in a black suit stand smiling while holding an award that reads,

Plastics News, Best Places to Work 2023

API was recently awarded the 4th place award for Plastics News Best Places to Work 2023. Plastics manufacturers from all over North America, including extruders, injection molders, rotational molders, and blow molders, participate in the employee survey. API is one of only 2 rotational molders selected. The survey is operated by an independent organization that selects the finalists based on specific criteria and the responses of our employees.

Advanced Pedestals prides itself on being a family-oriented, second-chance, and employee-first company. Our CEO Mitchell Shauf strongly believes that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". We will continue to build on our culture by providing the tools, training, resources, and environment that gives our employees a feeling of pride and belonging. With the help and hard work of our dedicated team, we will continue to strive for excellence and look forward to attending The Plastics News 2024 nominations.

API was represented at the awards ceremony in Clearwater Florida by COO Jeremy Williams and HR Director Melissa Derheim.


A brightly lit image with a red crumpled paper background features an old-fashioned blue alarm clock and a white wooden sign with large blue text that reads,

Our Focus

Many large companies are focused on shareholders and shareholders only. They come before the employees and even the customers. At API, we commit to an “employee first” philosophy. The logic is simple…… An unhappy employee creates an unhappy customer, and unhappy customer creates an unhappy shareholder. Never underestimate the importance of your employees. They are the key to happy customers AND shareholders.


Two men are seated at a wooden table reviewing architectural blueprints. The man on the left, wearing a black polo shirt and gray cap, is pointing at the plans. The older man on the right, wearing glasses and a beige shirt, is attentively looking at the documents.

How do I know which plastics manufacturing process to use to turn my idea into a product?

We are often asked, “how do I know which plastics manufacturing process to use to turn my idea into a product?”

There can be multiple options but usually only one is best.

API offers two plastics manufacturing processes: rotational molding and injection molding.

What’s the difference?

Rotational molding tends to have these characteristics:

  • Bigger parts
  • Hollow parts
  • Lower volume runs
  • Longer cycle times
  • Cheaper mold costs
  • Higher part prices
  • Limited material selection

Injection molding characteristics include:

  • Smaller parts
  • Solid parts
  • High volume runs
  • Short cycle times
  • Higher mold costs
  • Cheaper part prices
  • Diverse material selection

Tired of being fed a “bill of goods?”. Feel like you are being directed to a process that may or may not be the best solution?

"API prides itself on being a solutions provider. We will visit with you about your idea and offer the right solution whether it means we get the work or not. This provides our customers with the confidence of knowing it’s not about the sale, it’s about what’s best for you."

Jeremy Williams
API - Solutions in Plastics

 


A conference room table filled with supplies including notebooks, glue sticks, markers, colored pencils, scissors, folders, and paper stacks. Leather chairs surround the table. The walls display a large mission statement and logos of various companies.

API Buys School Supplies for Employees

API is an employee first company where our employees are treated like family. In this spirit, employees who submitted their child’s school supply lists got to skip the lines this year as API purchased their supplies! A huge thank you to our office staff for their shopping skills! Ready to join our family?


A trade show booth features the company API Solutions in Plastic. The setup includes a table with a banner, brochures, and samples. Surrounding the table are several large plastic structures in red, green, and blue. Two posters display product information.

TSCRA – Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association Trade Show

On July 23-25, API had the privilege to attend the annual Texas Cattle Raisers Convention in Fort Worth, TX. This was the first agricultural trade show attended since the pandemic. We were excited to visit with current customers and vendors. Convention visitors provided an opportunity to discuss new business. Our booth displayed a 300 gallon molasses lickfeeder, a 150 gallon lickfeeder, and a mineral feeder. Inquiries into how the products were made allowed us to share the rotational molding process used to manufacture the feeders. Additionally, many of the components are injection molded leading to a discussion on that process.

API, a proud member of TSCRA , participated in the annual action benefiting the Special Ranger law enforcement through the donation of 300 gallon lickfeeder which sold considerably higher than list price. We look forward to an even better show next year as the country continues to reopen.


Two people are presenting in front of a projector screen displaying a line graph and a pie chart. The man on the left is gesturing with his hands while speaking, and the woman on the right stands by, listening attentively. They are in a classroom or seminar room.

Gold River Dealer Meeting — Shelbyville, TN

On July 26, the API Ag sales team traveled to Shelbyville, TN to attend a company dealer meeting for one of our customers. Gold River, a partner of Westway Feeds, distributes liquid supplements for cattle. The meeting provides a wealth of information about feed and distribution. The opportunity to get an inside look at the day-to-day challenges of the agriculture community gives us with a better understanding of the products we make and how they used. This benefits the manufacturer, distributor, and the end user. API has a commitment to quality, value, and service. Getting to share these principles gives the customer confidence in knowing they have the right provider to grow their business. We were glad to be one of the speakers at the event. The presenters shared information on the industry today and where they see it going in the future. API donated a 300 gallon lickfeeder for a drawing with one lucky dealer winning the prize. API thanks those who hosted, presented, and attended the meeting. We look forward to another opportunity to participate with such a good group from the industry.