Superior Tooling

What Superior Tooling does

Superior Tooling Inc. is a precision tooling manufacturer founded in 1985 in Raleigh, North Carolina (now operating from a 20,000 sq ft facility in Wake Forest, NC, near Raleigh-Durham Airport). The company designs, builds, and validates plastic injection molds, injection blow molds for bottle molding, die casting dies, compression molds, jigs and fixtures, stamping dies, and precision machined components, ranging from single-cavity cold runner tools up to 64+ cavity hot runner molds with side actions, lifters, stack molds, two-shot molds, and overmolds. Core technology spans 5-axis high-speed machining (Mikron Mill S 400 U, spindle speeds to 40,000 rpm), automated robotic EDM work cells (Charmilles with System 3R Workmaster robots enabling 24/7 unattended operation), ultra-precision cylindrical grinding (Studer Favorit to millionths-of-an-inch tolerance), Agie Charmilles wire EDM with wire as fine as 0.004" diameter, and a Hexagon Global S CMM for inspection and reverse engineering; in-house engineering uses SolidWorks (including Pro Mold Flow analysis), Cimatron, SurfCam, Esprit, and PC-DMIS, and validation occurs on a dedicated Tech Center with Negri Bossi, Fanuc Roboshot, and Wittman Bottenfeld presses up to 320 tons.

The firm operates a project-based, quote-priced B2B model targeting enterprise customers in medical/healthcare, aerospace, automotive, packaging, electrical, and consumer electronics, with customers served through direct sales ([email protected], 919.570.9762). Quality credentials include ISO 9001:2015 certification and AMBA-MMBC Master Mold Builder certification; the company also participates in the North Carolina Technical Apprenticeship Program for workforce development. The customer base is unnamed at the individual buyer level — the company discloses industries rather than logos — and pricing is non-public and per-project.

In December 2024, Superior Tooling was acquired by SHL Medical, a global leader in self-injection solutions, and incorporated into the newly formed SHL Advantec sub-group alongside Switzerland-based LCA Automation and SMC Mould Innovation, creating a tooling and automation network spanning three continents focused on healthcare and adjacent industries. The company continues to operate from Wake Forest as part of that network.

Name

Superior Tooling

Legal name

Superior Tooling Inc.

Website

https://superiortoolinginc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Superior Tooling Inc., founded 1985 in Wake Forest, NC, is a precision tooling manufacturer of plastic injection molds, blow molds, die cast dies, and jigs/fixtures serving enterprise medical, aerospace, automotive, packaging, electrical, and consumer electronics customers; acquired by SHL Medical in 2024 as part of SHL Advantec.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Mold Manufacturing

NAICS

Industrial Mold Manufacturing (333511), Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermoforming Tooling, Mold & Die Manufacturing (IMANAHAJ)

Keywords

• Precision mold manufacturing
• Injection mold tooling
• Die casting tooling
• Precision machining services
• Mold design engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Wake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Plastic Injection Molds: Design, building, and repairing plastic injection molds ranging from single cavity cold runner molds to complex 64+ cavity hot runner molds with side actions, lifters, stack molds, two shot molds, and overmolds.
2. Die Cast Dies and Tooling: Manufacturing of die casting dies and related tooling for high-volume production applications.
3. Precision Machining Services: Precision machine work for various applications including jigs, fixtures, stamping dies, and general precision machining using the same equipment and personnel that build injection molds.
4. Engineering Services: Mold and die design, design for manufacture (DFM), mold flow analysis, fixture design, reverse engineering, part inspection, tool inspection and verification.
5. Prototype Services: Machined prototype parts, aluminum and hard steel prototype molds for quick turnaround, evaluation, proof of concept, and process validation.
6. Mold Validation: In-house mold tryout and validation services in tech center equipped with presses for setup and process development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Superior Tooling designs, builds, and repairs plastic injection molds (single cavity cold runner molds up to complex 64+ cavity hot runner molds with side actions, lifters, stack molds, two-shot molds, and overmolds), die cast dies and tooling, blow molds, compression molds, jigs and fixtures, stamping dies, and precision machine work. The firm also provides engineering services (mold and die design, DFM, mold flow analysis, reverse engineering) and prototype and in-house mold validation through its Tech Center.

Product overview

Superior Tooling is a precision manufacturing company offering a portfolio of mold manufacturing products and engineering services. The core product portfolio includes plastic injection molds (single cavity to 64+ cavity hot runner molds with complex features like stack molds, two shot molds, and overmolds), die cast dies and tooling, blow molds (including injection blow molds for bottle molding), compression molds, jigs and fixtures, and stamping dies. Supporting the core manufacturing products, the company offers engineering services (mold design, DFM, mold flow analysis, reverse engineering), prototype development (machined parts and prototype molds), precision machine work, and in-house mold validation through their Tech Center equipped with injection molding presses. The company serves demanding industries including medical, aerospace, automotive, packaging, electrical, and consumer electronics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plastic Injection Molds Design, building, and repair of plastic injection molds ranging from single cavity cold runner molds to complex 64+ cavity hot runner molds with side actions, lifters, stack molds, two shot molds, and overmolds. Sold to manufacturers in medical, aerospace, automotive, packaging, electrical, and consumer electronics industries.
• Die Cast Dies and Tooling Manufacturing of die casting dies and tooling for high-volume production applications requiring accuracy and consistency. Used by manufacturers in die casting operations.
• Blow Molds Blow molds, including injection blow molds for bottle molding applications. Used by packaging and bottle manufacturers.
• Compression Molds Compression molds for various industrial applications. Used by manufacturers requiring compression molding of materials.
• Jigs and Fixtures Custom jigs and fixtures for manufacturing and assembly operations. Sold to manufacturers needing work-holding or assembly tooling.
• Stamping Dies Stamping dies for metal forming operations. Used by metal stamping manufacturers.
• Precision Machine Work Precision machining services using the same equipment and personnel that build injection molds, available for various applications including jigs, fixtures, stamping dies, and general precision machining.
• Engineering Services Engineering services including mold and die design, design for manufacture (DFM), mold flow analysis, fixture design, reverse engineering, part inspection, tool inspection, tool verification, solid modeling, and detailing.
• Prototypes Machined prototype parts, aluminum and hard steel prototype molds for quick turnaround, evaluation of new product look and feel, proof of concept, and process validation.
• Mold Validation / Tech Center Services In-house tech center with private environment for setup and validation of new molds, equipped with three presses up to 320 Ton, dryers, chillers, Thermolator temperature control units, sprue pickers, and more.

Quantifiable outcome

• Molds built for millions of cycles with consistent, accurate parts without defects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SHL Advantec (part of SHL Medical)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuperior Tooling was acquired by SHL Medical, a world leader in self-injection solutions, and is now part of SHL Advantec - a sub-group dedicated to providing tooling and automation solutions to the healthcare sector and other industries. SHL Advantec forms a global operations network spanning three continents with other recent acquisitions including Swiss-based LCA Automation and SMC Mould Innovation.
• American Mold Builders Association (AMBA)minorOthersSuperior Tooling employs AMBA-MMBC certified Master Mold Builders, indicating membership and certification through the American Mold Builders Association.
• NCTAP (North Carolina Technical Apprenticeship Program)minorOthersSuperior Tooling participates in the North Carolina approved apprenticeship program, working with local High Schools and Tech Schools to develop the workforce of the future.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LCA Automation: Swiss-based automation specialist that joined SHL Advantec alongside Superior Tooling. Both serve precision tooling and automation customers in medical and industrial markets, making it the closest operational peer within the parent group.
• SMC Mould Innovation: Sister company under SHL Advantec focused on mould innovation. It is a direct operational peer given shared ownership, shared healthcare tooling customer base, and complementary geographic footprint.
• Beaumont Industries: US precision mold and tooling manufacturer serving medical, aerospace, and industrial customers. Comparable in scale, end-market mix, and emphasis on tight-tolerance injection mold work.
• MSI Mold Builders: US plastic injection mold maker with in-house design, build, and validation services. Highly comparable offering for medical, packaging, and industrial customers that buy high-cavitation tooling.
• Unique Tool & Manufacturing: Mid-sized US mold and die manufacturer producing injection molds, die cast dies, and precision machined components. Comparable service portfolio and end-market exposure.
• RCO Engineering: US provider of injection molding, tooling, and contract manufacturing for medical, automotive, and consumer products. Overlaps with Superior Tooling's full-service mold-to-part capability.
• Accede Mold & Tool: US precision mold builder specializing in multi-cavity injection molds for medical and industrial customers. Comparable in tooling complexity and end-market focus.
• Rodon Group: US high-volume injection molder and mold builder serving medical, pharmaceutical, and consumer customers. Comparable scale and emphasis on tight-tolerance tooling and validated production.

Broad incumbents

• SHL Medical: Parent company and global leader in self-injection drug delivery devices. Operates much more broadly across device design, manufacturing, and final assembly, while Superior Tooling provides upstream tooling within that ecosystem.
• Xometry: Large digital manufacturing marketplace offering custom injection molding, CNC machining, and tooling services. Comparable on production capability but operates at vastly greater scale and through an on-demand platform model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Superior Tooling