IBERIA — The letters HPM are well recognized in Morrow County. In reality it’s become an international brand, one whose parent company in China has invested $1.8 million in a facility here.

HPM North America Corp. acquired the seven-acre parcel of land with attached building and equipment two years ago. Last Wednesday John Beary, president of Yizumi HPM, gave customers and county officials a tour of the renovated complex at 3424 State Route 309.

“We kept the slab and steel, but everything else we replaced,” Beary said.

It has allowed the company to integrate office space and manufacturing space.

“It’s been a cool experience to revitalize it,” he said.

The company, a subsidiary of Chinese machinery manufacturer Guangdong Yizumi Precision Machinery Co. Ltd., said the property includes 20,694 square feet of manufacturing space as well as several office sections.

The company employs 20 to 25 full-time and part-time associates.

Since Yizumi acquired former HPM’s intellectual properties in 2011 and established HPM North America, the company has been operating in two buildings in Marion, with 37,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

James Zhang, general manager of Yizumi IMM division, likes what the facility offers.

“Before we were renting. But we could see our business was expanding year by year so we needed our own facilities here for future business,” he said.

Having the office, machinery and a showroom under one roof is important, Zhang said.

Guangdong Yizumi Precision Machinery Co., Ltd focuses on the design, development and service of molding machines. High-performance injection molding and die casting are flagship products of Yizumi.

The company remains focused on plastics and rubber.

William Flickinger has been with HPM since 1968 in various capacities, including president. He has witnessed numerous changes in the market.

“I’ve been here through thick and thin you might say. This is a nice, attractive facility for our customers. The investment by our parent company shows the confidence in the HPM product line and their commitment to the North American market,” Flickinger said.

The new plant includes several large injection presses.

”Our parent company is really our manufacturing resource. Most of the equipment comes to us about 80 percent built and we do the final assembly,” Beary said.

HPM was incorporated in 1877 as the Hydraulic Press Manufacturing Company in Mount Gilead. The company built apple cider presses and continued this business into the early part of the 20th Century.

HPM North America bought the building in Iberia at an auction the Friday after Thanksgiving, 2015.

“This gives us a lot of room to expand,” Beary said.

More on the company can be found at www.yizumi-hpm.com.

John Beary, president of Yizumi HPM, and James Zhang, general manager of Yizumi IMM division, and William Flickinger talk to Morrow County officials on Oct. 18 at an open house of the manufacturer’s plant and office complex in Iberia.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/10/web1_HPM.jpgJohn Beary, president of Yizumi HPM, and James Zhang, general manager of Yizumi IMM division, and William Flickinger talk to Morrow County officials on Oct. 18 at an open house of the manufacturer’s plant and office complex in Iberia.

One of the injection presses inside the Yizumi HPM plant in Iberia.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/10/web1_HPM2.jpgOne of the injection presses inside the Yizumi HPM plant in Iberia.

A sign outside the Yizumi HPM facility, 3424 State Route 309, Iberia.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/10/web1_HPMsign.jpgA sign outside the Yizumi HPM facility, 3424 State Route 309, Iberia.
Parent company Yizumi invests $1.8 million

By Anthony Conchel

The Sentinel

Reach Conchel at 419-946-3010, extension 1806, or at [email protected].