American Innotek expands again

American Innotek is a diversified consumer products company and parent to Westminster, Calif.-based InterTrade Industries, a heavy and thin gauge plastic thermoformer, which is combining with ATE and will now be known as ATE-InterTrade. The move allows for expanded operations and penetration into the medical market.

ATE specializes in developing medical plastic packaging, engineering and supplying thermoformed plastic packaging to medical and pharmaceutical companies domestically and internationally. Operations will continue out of the Oceanside facility, and all employees will remain in place.

Chairman and CEO Cass Cassidy of Escondido-based American Innotek said the move represents not just a strategic acquisition in thermoforming, but a continued effort to diversify American Innotek.

“I founded this company in 1988 with the goal of combining technology with manufacturing efficiencies to fulfill unique marketplace needs,” said Cass Cassidy. “This acquisition represents that spirit and continues to diversify our offerings, thus poising us for future growth.”

The combined thermoforming operations include more than 70,000 square feet of space between the Oceanside and Westminster facilities, employing more than 50 people.

“It was clear early on there were synergies between the two companies, and this feels more like a merger than an acquisition,” said Niki Kopenhaver, president and chief operating officer of American Innotek, parent company to ATE-InterTrade. “Not only do the two companies complement each other, but the acquisition allows us to grow our business in the medical market, which previously represented 30 percent of InterTrade sales.”

For ATE, the move represents room to expand and increased infrastructure.

“We had outgrown our facility and were looking to grow our capabilities as well,” said former ATE president and founder, Hai Parson, who will serve as vice president of business development of the new operations. “This is a good move for everyone.”
InterTrade is a diversified heavy gauge and thin gauge plastic thermoformer, developing and supplying thermoformed plastic parts to many industries including medical, aerospace, automotive, and contract packaging. All facilities are registered under ISO 9001:2008, and the ATE facility will also undergo registration.

American Innotek has been operating since 1988.  The company is a consumer products company providing personal sanitation products to the industrial and military markets under the brand names Brief Relief and Restop, as well as household organization products sold under the brand name Neatnix.