History
GW Plastics was founded over a half-century ago when two early plastics pioneers, John R. Galvin and Odin A. Westgaard, combined their extensive business and materials engineering experience – and their initials – to start a plastics injection molding firm. After building GW into one of North America’s premier precision injection molders, they sold the company to Carborundum in 1973. Through a series of large-company, M&A transactions in the 1980s, GW ultimately found itself owned by Standard Oil of Ohio (Sohio). In 1983, a group of company managers and investors, led by Frederic Riehl, purchased the company from Sohio. GW has remained closely held under the same ownership to this day.
Through standardization of facilities, equipment and quality systems at all locations worldwide, GW Plastics offers customers unsurpassed process consistency and cost-efficiency. GW Plastics’ continuity of leadership coupled with a long tenured work force has built a successful business based on consistent performance, long term customer relationships and workplace satisfaction.
Today, GW ranks among the top 100 injection molders in North America, with a prestigious customer base consisting of market leading companies.
Historical Timeline
- GW Plastics founded in 1955 by early plastics pioneers John Galvin and Odin Westgaard
- Current company management acquired Company in 1983
- 1990 expanded Royalton, Vermont Mold Making facility
- 1992 opened San Antonio, Texas facility
- 1996 opened Tucson, Arizona facility
- 1997 opened Royalton, Vermont Technology Center
- 1999 opened Royalton, Vermont Molding facility
- 2005 opened Querétaro, Mexico facility
- 2006 signed GW majority owned tooling and molding joint venture in China
- 2007 GW forms strategic alliance with ABA/PGT to offer Gear and Motion Transfer solutions
- 2007 expansion of both China and Mexico facilities
- 2008 opened GW Silicones
- 2009 acquired 100% ownership of Dongguan, China facility
