Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation

What Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation does

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation (TEC) is a custom industrial machinery manufacturer specializing in wire, cable, and fiber optic extrusion line engineering and fabrication. Founded in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1986, the company engineers and builds complete production lines as well as individual equipment pieces — horizontal and vertical extruders, single-twist, double-twist, rotating cradle, and double-twist twinner cablers, dancers and vertical/horizontal accumulators, belt puller/belt wrap/single-dual wheel capstans, shaft and shaftless payoffs and takeups, multi-station payoffs, respoolers, taping and binding heads, rigid stranders, aramid fiber servers, core neutralizing payoffs, and custom PLC/PC-based control systems. TEC's machinery integrates with Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, and GE PLC platforms and Wonderware/Intellution MMI software, and includes application-specific solutions such as a tight buffer extrusion mini-line running at 300 meters per minute and dual parallel-axis takeups capable of reel-to-reel switching at up to 3,500 feet per minute.

The company operates a consultative, custom-engineered business model with quote-based pricing and direct enterprise sales to wire and cable manufacturers, fiber optic cable producers, and plastics processors (tubing, profile, and compounding applications). Marketing is concentrated in industry trade shows — IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum, Interwire, and Wire 2026 in Düsseldorf — supported by technical articles and information sheets on the company website. All products are engineered to meet unique customer specifications rather than sold as standard catalog items, and the firm maintains a single manufacturing facility at 11 Spruce Street, Leominster, MA.

TEC ceased operations in May 2019 and was acquired by Broomfield, a fourth-generation family-owned winding machine company based in Bolton, Massachusetts, on June 2, 2021. Broomfield resumed operations immediately, retaining founder Ernest Landry — who brought over 40 years of wire and cable extruder design experience — in a consultative role. Under Broomfield ownership, TEC continues to serve the wire, cable, fiber optic, tubing, and profile extrusion markets globally as a subsidiary brand.

Name

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation

Legal name

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation

Website

https://thermoplasticseng.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation (TEC) designs and builds custom wire, cable, and fiber optic extrusion line machinery — extruders, cablers, capstans, payoffs, takeups, and control systems — for global manufacturers on a quote-based, direct enterprise sales model. Founded 1986 in Leominster, MA; subsidiary of Broomfield since June 2021.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Leominster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Machinery Manufacturing: Design, engineering, and fabrication of custom wire, cable, and fiber optic extrusion machinery. Machines include extruders, cablers, payoffs, takeups, dancers, accumulators, capstans, and control systems. Products are custom-built to customer specifications with pricing based on application requirements.
2. Engineering Services: Consultative engineering support for wire and cable extrusion line optimization, custom thermoplastic wire or cable extrusion line design, and application assistance. Staff includes experienced mechanics, engineers, electricians, programmers, and machinists.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation designs, engineers, and fabricates custom-built industrial machinery for the wire, cable, and fiber optic industries. The company produces complete extrusion and cabling lines as well as individual equipment pieces—including extruders, cablers, payoffs, takeups, dancers, accumulators, capstans, taping/binding heads, rigid stranders, and PLC-based control systems—each engineered to meet unique customer specifications for wire coating, cable jacketing, fiber optic buffering, tubing, profile, and compounding applications.

Product overview

Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation (TEC) offers a portfolio of custom industrial machinery for the wire, cable, and fiber optic industries. The product line includes: Cabling Machines (Single-Twist Cablers, Double-Twist Cablers, Rotating Cradle Cablers, Double-Twist Twinners); Wire & Cable Extruders (Horizontal Extruders, Vertical Co-Extruders, Water Recirculating & Cooling Systems); Dancers, Accumulators & Capstans (Dancers, Vertical/Horizontal Accumulators, Belt Puller/Belt Wrap/Single-Dual Wheel/Extended Length Capstans); Payoffs & Takeups (Payoffs, Takeups, Multi-Station Payoffs, Respoolers); Taping/Fiber Optic Equipment (Tight Buffer Extrusion Mini-Line, Taping and Binding Heads, Rigid Stranders, Aramid Fiber Servers, Core Neutralizing Payoffs); and Control Systems for cabling and extrusion lines. TEC engineers each machine to meet unique customer requirements, providing custom solutions from individual equipment pieces to complete extrusion or cabling lines. The company was acquired by Broomfield in June 2021 and continues to serve the wire & cable, fiber optic, tubing and profile extrusion markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cabling Machines Custom-engineered cabling machines for wire and cable manufacturers, including single-twist cablers (630mm to 1600mm, 350-1300 RPM), double-twist cablers (500mm to 1250mm, 2000-6000 TPM), rotating cradle cablers (800mm to 2500mm, 100-500 RPM), and double-twist twinners (400mm to 630mm, 3000-6000 TPM). All machines are dynamically balanced and feature digital electronic lay control for precision cable production.
• Wire & Cable Extruders Custom-built horizontal extruders (3/4" to 6" diameter, L/D ratios 10:1 to 36:1) and vertical co-extruders (3/4" to 2-1/2" diameter) for coating wires with protective thermoplastic materials. Feature double reduction helical gear reducers, heavy-duty thrust bearings, cast iron feed throats with integral water cooling jackets, and bimetallic barrel liners. For wire and cable OEMs producing insulated wire, power cables, and telecommunications cables.
• Water Recirculating & Cooling Systems Cooling systems with 20, 30, 75, or 150-gallon reservoirs in all stainless steel construction, including water pump, fully insulated reservoirs with heaters, cooling coil, float level switches, thermocouple, and cover. Custom-designed water troughs and air wipes also available. For integration with wire and cable extrusion lines.
• Dancers, Accumulators & Capstans Custom-built dancer systems (vertical and catenary arm styles, 100 grams to 100 lbs tension), vertical and horizontal dancer accumulators (130 to 1,000 feet accumulation lengths), belt puller capstans (16" to 60" belt contact, 100-2,000 lbs capacity), belt wrap capstans (16" to 36" diameter), and single/dual wheel capstans (16" to 36" diameter). Heavy-duty precision designs for wire and cable extrusion lines.
• Payoffs & Takeups Custom shaft, shaftless, drag, and powered payoffs and takeups for fiber optic, fine wire, ribbon cable, telephone cable, and large diameter power cables. Includes traverse units (electronic or mechanical) and traversing reel models with automatic speed and tension control. Multi-station payoffs and dual parallel-axis takeups capable of automatic reel-to-reel switching at speeds up to 3,500 feet per minute, with walk-through takeups up to 120 inches in diameter available.
• Control Systems Custom-designed PLC-based or PC/PLC-based control systems for cabling and extrusion lines, with integration expertise for Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, and GE PLCs and MMI software integration including Wonderware and Intellution. Includes fiber optic cable testing systems per EIA Standards (bend, flex, impact, tensile loading) and laser diameter, flaw, high voltage spark, and length measuring systems for copper wire and cables.
• Tight Buffer Extrusion Mini-Line Compact turnkey solution for fiber optic cable manufacturers with product line speeds of 300 meters per minute. Includes precision coating and spooling capabilities for fibers with protection and accuracy. Designed for space-conscious manufacturing environments.
• Taping, Binding & Fiber Optic Equipment Custom-built concentric tape heads (12"-24" diameter, 3"-6" cores up to 2,000 rpm), binding heads (up to 3,000 rpm), rigid stranders for large and complex cables (power transmission, telecommunications, fiber, automotive, industrial), aramid fiber servers (8 to 120 positions, 100-400 RPM), and core neutralizing payoffs (630mm to 2500mm). All machines customized per customer package size and wire line height with manual or automatic tension control.

Quantifiable outcome

• Product line speeds of 300 meters per minute for fiber optic cable manufacturing
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Allen Bradley (Rockwell Automation)coreTechnology or IntegrationTEC's control systems utilize Allen Bradley PLC technology as part of their custom-designed control solutions for cabling and extrusion lines. Allen Bradley PLCs are a standard component in their control system offerings.
• Mitsubishi ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationTEC builds control systems with familiarity and integration capability for Mitsubishi PLC systems, incorporating them into their custom control solutions for wire and cable production lines.
• GE (General Electric)coreTechnology or IntegrationTEC has built integrated equipment using GE PLC systems as part of their custom-designed control solutions for cable production applications.
• Wonderware (Aveva)supportingTechnology or IntegrationTEC offers MMI (Man-Machine Interface) software integration with Wonderware platforms for their control systems and extrusion line solutions.
• IntellutionsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTEC offers MMI software integration with Intellution for their control systems and HMI solutions in cable production equipment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Broomfield: Broomfield is TEC's parent company, a fourth-generation family-owned winding machine manufacturer. While not a direct competitor, it is comparable as a related industrial machinery company in the broader wire/cable equipment ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Maschinenfabrik Niehoff: Niehoff is a German manufacturer of wire and cable machinery including bunchers, cablers, and extrusion lines. It directly competes with TEC in cabling and extrusion equipment for wire and cable manufacturers.
• Nextrom (part of Rosendahl): Nextrom specializes in fiber optic cable production equipment, including SZ stranders, coloring lines, and tight buffer equipment. Directly competes with TEC's fiber optic cable manufacturing machinery.
• Pourtier (subsidiary of Sino Soar): Pourtier is a long-established manufacturer of rotating machinery for cable production including rigid stranders and cablers. Directly competes with TEC's cabling machinery offerings.
• Rosendahl: Rosendahl Nextrom is a major supplier of cable extrusion and fiber optic cable production equipment, offering extruders, CV lines, and complete production lines. Directly comparable to TEC's extruder and cable machinery portfolio.
• Maillefer: Maillefer is a leading global manufacturer of wire and cable extrusion lines, including similar extruders, cablers, and complete production line solutions. It is one of TEC's most direct competitors in custom cable extrusion machinery.
• Ceeco Machinery: Ceeco Machinery manufactures cable manufacturing equipment including payoffs, takeups, and cablers. Directly comparable product categories and customer base to TEC.

Broad incumbents

• Davis-Standard: Davis-Standard is a large global supplier of extrusion and converting equipment, with a wire and cable product line. While far larger and broader in scope, it overlaps with TEC's wire and cable extruder offerings.

Regional players

• Bartell Machinery Systems: Bartell Machinery Systems designs and builds custom cable manufacturing equipment, including cablers, takeups, and extrusion lines. Comparable to TEC in custom machinery for the wire and cable industry, primarily North American focus.

Emerging players

• Sikora: Sikora provides measurement, control, and inspection technology for wire and cable production, including laser diameter gauges and spark testers. Overlaps with TEC's control systems and inspection capabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thermo_eng_co
• Facebookfacebook.com/Thermoplastics-Engineering-Corporation-100564222129234
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thermoplastics-engineering-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Thermoplastics Engineering Corporation