About Us
Started on a shoestring in 1950 by founder Wally Tripp, Tripp Plastics has grown to be an employer of over 125 people in its modern, 200,000 square foot facility. Wally’s son Warren has been at the helm since the early 1980’s, and as president has guided the company's direction so that it stays on the "cutting edge" of current technology. "We've never shrunk from a challenge," said Warren Tripp recently, "A lot of things that we do as part of our regular business got started because our customers asked 'Can you do this? We’ll look at it and usually we say, 'Let's give it a try'" According to Mr. Tripp, that willingness to attempt something new is one big reason for the company success. "Our people are what have made us who we are today. You can get a machine almost anywhere, but the hard part is to have caring, quality‑minded employees to run it ‑ and we have that. This sets us apart".
Tripp Plastics made its early mark as a manufacturer and fabricator, concentrating on the extensive gaming industry in Nevada. But today there is so much more to the company than that. The Sparks‑based company services a diverse customer base which includes the mining, semiconductor, vending machine, automobile after‑market and medical research industries ‑ to mention only a few.
In 1950, the company started as a local supplier and fabricator in the basement of a chicken hatchery on West Fifth Street in Reno. As it grew, the company moved to ever‑larger quarters, finally moving into its present production facility in Sparks in 1990. Several expansions and building acquisitions later, the company is a unique entity in the plastics field. According to Warren Tripp, there is no one in the industry who does as many things under one roof that Tripp Plastics does. "We have numerous departments that could comfortably operate as separate companies all by themselves. Just coordinating them all is a challenge, but our staff of talented employees makes it work." Added Mr. Tripp: "Recently, we asked a supplier to come into our plant and give us pointers on how to use their product. After looking our operation over, they told us we're doing things that they never dreamed of, and wanted us to teach them how to do it. That's a fun story, but it's all a part of our overall business philosophy: Learn to do something well, then do it faster, better and less expensively."
Tripp Plastics made an early name for itself by creating products that are today seen in every casino around the globe ‑ such as the slot tower or "candle" ‑ that is installed on the top of nearly every gaming machine in the industry. Or, a product such as the "rabbit ears" Keno calling-unit. Both were developed and are still manufactured by the Sparks‑based business. In addition, Tripp has become known as a leader in other fields as well, such as their thermoforming, laser cutting, CNC routing, casting and machining departments.
One of the most exciting developments at Tripp Plastics was the creation of the Assembly division, a department so successful that another building was purchased to house it. At one time, the company simply made plastic components that went into a larger, assembled unit. Now they can offer complete "turn‑key" products, meaning that Tripp will produce an entire unit ‑ which may entail fabricated metal components, adding electronics, neon, lights, bells, whistles and silk‑screened or digital graphics. When a complete unit is shipped, the customer simply installs it, plugs it in and "turns the key' ‑ and it runs. The service offers many advantages for companies with limited facilities or personnel. Tripp expects to enjoy continued growth in this division.
More recently, Tripp Plastics added the New Product Development department, which allows for extensive engineering but limited production of prototype parts or assemblies. The department was created as a response to the needs and requests of its customers. This is yet another example of the company listening to its customers and moving in the direction they need it to.
The newest addition to Tripp’s vast array of capabilities is the Sheet Metal Fabrication department, which was added in 2006. Previously, metal components had to be outsourced, which sometimes led to delivery delays. The centerpiece of the department is an Amada EMLK 3610NT punch and laser combination machine which has a 33 ton punch capability, a 4,000 watt laser and a 60” x 100” work envelope. It is capable of punching all materials up to ¼” thickness and the combination often makes special tools unnecessary for making most parts.
In 2008 Tripp purchased a state-of- the-art Beam laser machining center which is faster and more powerful than our previous laser. In addition to cutting, the Beam also has the capability of doing laser engraving, which we previously could not do. This has enabled Tripp Plastics to quote a wider variety of jobs with a quicker turn-around and lower cost.
What does the future hold for the company? What's just over the horizon can only be limited by the imagination of its customers, because Tripp Plastics, with its creative sales team, designers and engineers is ready for the challenge!