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prototypes icon Full in-house team
prototypes icon UK plastic moulding company
prototypes icon Quick lead times
prototypes icon Sustainable manufacturing & recycled materials

Plastic Mould Manufacturers

We provide complete, in-house plastic injection moulding services in our Norwich-based factory. From design and toolmaking to prototyping and production, we provide the full package to deliver flexibility, fast turnaround times, and a high quality end product. We manufacture plastic parts and components for a wide range of industries, with the knowledge and expertise to consult and advise on cost-effective solutions for your business.

Our case studies

Take a look at some of the bespoke parts and components we’ve made for companies nationwide.

pink plastic cycling accessory
Rehook logo Innovative Cycling Product

Offering our design, tooling and moulding expertise, we helped Rehook develop their new ‘Rehook Plus’ and ‘Rehook Mini’ products.

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factory worker creating plastic product
shrinkit logo Shrink Gun System

With our flexible approach, we helped ShrinKit manufacture their shrink guns efficiently and in a cost-effective manner without compromising on quality.

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orange plastic part and mould tool
Advanced Air Logo Electrical Enclosure

We helped Advanced Air reduce costs by creating their own mould tool for a bespoke enclosure for their electrical enclosure.

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collection of white plastic parts
Seneye logo Plastic Casing & Component for Marine Life

We are proud to have a long standing relationship with Seneye, manufacturing a system that enables them to monitor water in an aquarium to protect marine life.

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plastic production factory

Why manufacture with us?

At Bowles and Walker, no job is too small, and we can produce with a timeframe, volume, and schedule to suit your business. We’ll always be transparent, and advise on the most cost effective solution for your production process. Our personable, approachable team is here to support your business, ensuring we can align with your timelines and operations. With us, you get the flexibility and reliability you need without compromise.

In-house mould tooling

An in-house mould tooling service ensures control over the design, development and production of your moulds. By managing the process internally, we can deliver faster turnaround times and provide a high quality, precise end product. With Bowles and Walker, you’ll never be locked into a single plastic mould manufacturer. Your mould tool belongs to you, giving you the freedom to take it elsewhere if you decide to change company. Our tools are designed to be durable and built to last, providing reliable performance for many years.

Sustainable plastic manufacturing

Our mission is to become a more sustainable plastic moulding company. We source sustainable and recycled materials and have adopted many energy-efficient processes, including solar panels and wind turbines. We’re committed to reducing our environmental impact. If your business values eco-friendly pratices, choose us as your manufacturer.

Silicone moulds

Plastic injection moulding UK

There are many advantages to a local production for your business. We offer faster turnaround times, greater control, and the flexibility to adapt to changes quickly. Choosing a UK plastic injection moulder eliminates long lead times and shipping costs often associated with overseas suppliers. Choose a plastic manufacturer in the UK for a cost effective solution, high quality standards and a local team that understands the unique challenges of your business.

purple plastic moulded suctions handles
I have a product idea

Looking to start a new production project? If you’re looking to develop a new product or improve an existing plastic part, we can help guide you through the entire process, from design to production, delivering a high quality, cost-effective result.

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red plastic mould bumpers
I have a mould tool

Already have a mould tool but looking to change plastic manufacturing company? We specialise in repeat production of injection-moulded products for a wide range of industries.

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Injection Moulding FAQs

We answer your common questions surrounding our injection moulding services.

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What is injection moulding?

Injection moulding is the method of injecting molten plastic into a mould, cooling and solidifying it to create a specific moulded shape, and then ejecting it. This technique is commonly used for mass producing plastic parts, and plays a key role in the plastic manufacturing industry. It’s used across a variety of sectors such as automotive, medical, consumer goods, and construction. The parts produced from injection moulding vary greatly in size and purpose, but some examples include car headlight surrounds, plastic syringes, and model airplane parts.

What is the plastic moulding process?

The process of plastic moulding can be complex, and may require other considerations depending on the product, but as a general rule, there are four main stages:

Setup/Clamping – Both halves of the mould are attached to the injection moulding machine plates. One half is referred to as the moving half, while the other is known as the fixed half. Both sides are held tightly together while the molten plastic is injected.

Injection – Plastic pellets are fed into the moulding machine’s hopper, and gravity fed into the barrel. An archimedes screw moves the pellets through the barrel, and the heat and sheer pressure of this process melts the pellets. The molten plastic moves into the nozzle and is injected into the mould itself. When 95-99% of the mould is filled, the injection stops.

Cooling – After the mould is full, the plastic inside begins to cool and harden to the mould’s shape. As it cools, the shape will shrink slightly depending on the material used. It’s important to leave the plastic to cool completely before removing it from the mould.

Ejection – At this final stage, force is used via a stripper plate or ejection pins etc. to eject the moulded product from the cavity of the mould. The product then falls on to a conveyor or is robotically removed for packing or further processing. After this, the mould is clamped shut again and the process starts its next cycle.

What plastic materials can you use for injection moulding?

There is a variety of different thermoplastics that can be used for the moulding process. Bowles and Walker provide a range of options, and specialise in 8 primary materials.

Polypropylene (PP) – Low density, low cost and combinable with other materials. Excellent chemical and fatigue resistance. PP is typically used for packaging, parts, machinery, and textiles.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – A great choice for structural applications. It’s strong, stiff, and tough, and holds its shape under stress. You’d find this material in lego blocks or keys on a keyboard.

Polycarbonate (PC) – Strong, transparent plastic that has uses in the automotive, electronics, and construction industries for clear protection screens, casing, or covers.

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) – HIPs is a blend of polystyrene and a small percentage of rubber to become impact resistant. Used for both commercial and domestic applications such as children’s toys, packaging inserts, and bathroom cabinets, this is ideal for the indoors but not recommended for outdoor uses.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – LDPE is soft, flexible, and chemical resistant but can’t handle temperatures over 80°C. It is often used for trays, containers, flexible parts, plugs, and pipes. HDPE has very similar properties to LDPE, but is more rigid and has a better resistance to heat.

Nylon or Polyamide (PA) – As a well known engineering plastic, PA can withstand high temperatures and is a great electrical conductor. These properties make it ideal for fuses and circuit breakers. It’s also commonly used in the automotive industry to reinforce high impact areas in cars.

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) – Well known as the material behind “Plexiglass”, PMMA is clear, rigid and hard. PMMA is often used in vehicle lights, safety glass, acrylic nails and glass lenses.

If you’re not sure which plastic would suit your project, the Bowles and Walker team are happy to advise you on the ideal material for your products requirements.

How much will it cost?

The cost of manufacturing plastic parts varies greatly. Most of the expenditure goes on design and production of a moulding tool for your product’s requirements. Once the tool has been created, routine plastic injection moulding tends to be a lot cheaper, but this can also vary based on production volume, cost of the plastic material, and the level of precision required. No matter the project, budget or scope, Bowles and Walker will collaborate and consult with you to advise on the most cost effective solution for your manufacturing process.

What are the benefits of injection moulded plastic parts?

There are many advantages to using injection moulding in your manufacturing process. The key selling point is that you can produce a large amount of plastic parts quickly and cost effectively, without compromising on quality. Some other benefits include:

Consistency – With a quality, well cared for moulding tool, you can continue to produce identical plastic parts.

Precision plastic injection moulding – Compared to other techniques, injection moulding allows for more intricate details and features on a very small plastic part. This provides more flexibility and functionality for plastic parts made with this method.

Speed – This varies based on the detail, size, and precision of the required product, but cycle times can be as low as 10 seconds. Other techniques such as 3D printing would take a significantly slower amount of time.

Knowledge Hub

Latest Reviews

I have the pleasure of working with Bowles & Walker, and their expertise in injection moulding is second to none. Their attention to detail, precision engineering, and commitment to
delivering high-quality moulded components are truly impressive.

From the initial consultations to final production, the team has been professional, responsive,
and extremely knowledgeable. They offer excellent customer service, ensuring our
requirements are met with efficiency and reliability.

If you’re looking for a trusted partner in injection moulding, Bowles & Walker is the company
to choose. Highly recommended.

GAVIN HARRIS
Engineering and Quality Manager, Thermaglow

B&W’s support and top class service has been critical to the success of our business. We can always rely on their open communication to make product designs into real world products on time and on budget.

WAYNE TAYLOR
Founder & CEO, Rehook

Having been involved in precision manufacture using plastic parts for over 20 years, I have chosen to work with B&W as their knowhow, flexibility and responsiveness have allowed my companies to rapidly bring new products to market.

MATT STEVENSON
CEO, Seneye

We have worked with Bowles & Walker for many years, they have produced both tooling and mouldings for a wide range of our air distribution components. We would certainly recommend Bowles and Walker to any other company that requires injection moulded parts.

JON MCIVOR
Marketing & Design Manager, Advance Air

B&W have been a critical supplier to our business for seven years now, successfully fulfilling several orders from us every year. We can’t recommend them highly enough.

NIGEL HORSEY
Managing Director, Wells & Winter

Bowles and Walker have been supplying us with injection moulding parts for over 15 years. Michael and his team are always on hand with their expertise and knowledge, looking forward to working with them for many more years to come.

MARK GREENGRASS
Managing Director, ShrinkIT

I have worked with Bowles & Walker for a number of years whilst working with Perei Group Limited & LITE-wire. They are outstanding with fantastic knowledge when it comes to injection moulding and toolmaking. They have always been accommodating and met short deadlines when needed. Both professional and approachable at all times. One of our top tier suppliers!

SHELLEY LEIGHIO
Operations Manager, LITE-wire & Perei Group Limited

Working with Bowles and Walker is always a pleasure. They are a long-standing key supplier to our business and always provide a quick, efficient, and friendly service. On many occasions they have gone over and above to ensure consistent and timely supply of our components. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bowles and Walker as a top-class supplier to any business.

PAMELA FISHER
Operations Manager, Oase UK