TB Plastic Extrusions Now a Direct Supplier to OEMs, Tier 1 – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
In 1999 Rodrigo Cortes Sr. left Santa Ana, Calif., to move to Elkhart, Ind., when a friend offered his family a new opportunity in the plastic extrusion business. Over the last 25 years Cortes Sr. developed his expertise in the plastic industry working with some of the premier parts suppliers to the RV marine and automotive industries in the Midwest.
Working with some of the biggest names in the plastic industry in the area – such as Eddie Kay, Carlos Díaz, Norm Newhouse, Andy Zimmer and Ed Ksiezopolski – Cortes Sr. honed his expertise to become one of the most sought after production processes managers for plastic manufacturing firms.
In September of 2006 Cortes Sr. established TB Plastic Extrusions (The Best Plastic Extrusions) and began production in May of 2008, as an exclusive producer for LTI/BOYD Corporation.
“My attention then turned to the growth and success of our business,” Cortes Sr. recently shared with RVBusiness. “The early challenges were considerable, but with the support and collaboration of BOYD and our team, we built a strong foundation, achieving annual sales between seven and nine million dollars.”
The pandemic presented unique challenges to the firm, particularly with staffing shortages.
“Yet, we achieved a remarkable 40% increase in sales, reaching $14 million,” shared Cortes Sr. “We operated three shifts, working 24/6 to meet rising demand. During this time, I began to semi-retire, but only after ensuring a smooth transition by offering the management leadership of the company to Carlos Díaz”
But upon his retirement in Sarasota, Fla., he felt compelled to acquire a mold and tooling company founded in the 1990s. The company had a strong track record, having served various industries, including government, weapons manufacturing, and the medical field.
Today, with the experience and knowledge gained over the years, TB Plastic Extrusions stands stronger than ever, supported by an exceptional team that includes Carlos Díaz, who brings over 26 years of experience in the field; Xochitl Pacheco and Lourdes Cortes in quality control, each with at least 26 years of experience.
TB Plastic Extrusions family owned status continues with his son, Vice President Rodrigo Cortes-Jimenez, who took the position in 2012, and daughter, Maria Garcia-Cortes, who took over the quality control area in 2018. At the same time, his son-in-law, Eloy Garcia, is responsible for the warehouse management.
In 2024 the company has diligently implemented a strategic plan to expand its customer base and strengthen market presence. As part of this effort, the firm decision to relocate its Florida based mold and tooling company Simplex Tool & Mold Inc. to Elkhart, Ind. With this integration TB Plastic Extrusions, Inc. now provides comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for its Elkhart area customers by not only pre-tuning tooling in-house but developing new.
“We were the production powerhouse for some major plastic parts suppliers in the RV industry and now TB Plastics is stepping out independently to bring that same level of excellence just directly to the OEM and Tier One clients,” said Rodrigo Cortes. “Customers will continue to receive the same product that came out of the same machine, crafted by the same production staff, but backed by what we believe to be better service and enhanced quality because we’re now locally owned and operated, and free from any corporate constraints.”
He said that currently the focus has been on improving tools, getting new tools, running tests, and make sure that quality production is ready.
“So now we’re in a place where now we’re going to start going knocking on doors for new business,” said Rodrigo Cortes. “We specialize in any extrusion part that you could think of for the RV. Now the main ones would be the slide out solutions, all the seals, screw covers, trims, corner blocks, window seals, etc.…”
He said even though TB Plastics Extrusions is a small company currently with around 15 production employees, it can easily scale up to 12-hour shifts with its highly skilled workforce.
“The team members we have really care and they’re the ones that are willing to go the extra mile because we’ve done the same for them,” he said. “We’re basically a family. So they know that if we switch from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts, they’re all willing. We are a smaller company that was actually supplying half of the inventory of these larger firms. We can actually offer the same part that comes out of the same machine by the same workers, for better quality, better price, and just better service overall, just because we’re now locally owned.”
Rodrigo Cortes concluded that TB Plastics Extrusions recently updated its logo to reflect its culture of faith.
“We incorporated a dove because it represents The Holy Spirit,” he said. “It’s our focus of how we operate as a family, as a business. We are guided by strong ethical principles, and dedicated to serving with integrity and fairness. We always keep our eyes on the glory of the Lord, believing that everything we do is for His glory.”
