HMT manufacturing began in 1972 and was incorporated in 1974. The owners, President Emil Bucher and his son, Vice President Burton Bucher, started their venture by coating polyester edge banding with hot melt adhesive. Over time. they gained valuable experience and increased their coating operation to include wood, PVC, paper to paper, vinyl to PVC and vinyl to paper. All these laminates are used in the wood working industry.
At the same time HMT was expanding their expertise in hot melt coating, they had an idea about casting a hot melt adhesive into a film. After months of experimentation they developed a hot melt adhesive film that was 100% solids, non-toxic, non-shrinking, and with almost an indefinite shelf life.
With new environmental laws curtailing the use of solvent based adhesives due to toxic VOCs, the development of HMT's new adhesive came at a very opportune time.
With this new adhesive, Emil and Burt designed and engineered a laminator that could bond a 48" x 96" sheet of particle board with high-pressure laminate. In a matter of minutes, their woodworking machine can produce a finished panel that could be used for counter tops, cabinets, or furniture. The fabrication could be done immediately. Because there is no waiting for glue to set, there is no lost time in the production process. Over time, many changes and enhancements have been made to this machine.
Currently, the laminator can mate many different substrates with numerous laminates. With the development of the roll feed attachment, the equipment is no longer limited to sheet stock. Roll goods, such as fabric, wood veneers, melamine, various foils, cork, and a host of other materials can now be mated using the HMT Laminator.
As their expertise grew, HMT was able to design custom equipment for a specific costumer need. If the current machine would not fit the needed requirements, one would be modified or be completely redesigned. This flexibility allows HMT to be more than a niche in the market.
Not one to stand still, HMT, through requests from their distributors, developed a line of iron-on adhesives for use in the fabric and arts and crafts industries. Business in these fields expanded at such a rapid rate, it made HMT one of the largest producers of iron-on adhesives in the United States.
Today, while maintaining its presence with the above products, HMT continues to be a force in the market place. Currently channeling its energy into the development of new adhesives and equipment.
|
