Used Van Dorn Equipment Sold by Meadoworks

Van Dorn traces its origins to 1872, when James H. Van Dorn founded an iron works business in Ohio that eventually relocated to Cleveland and grew into a major industrial manufacturer. The company began building injection molding machinery in Cleveland in 1946 as a division of the Van Dorn Company, growing steadily through the 1970s to become a leader in the North American plastics machinery market. In 1993 the plastics machinery division was acquired and renamed Van Dorn Demag, and in 2008 the business was acquired by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, after which new machine production under the Van Dorn name ceased.

The flagship product line was the HT Series of hydraulic toggle-clamp injection molding machines, manufactured from 1989 to 2007 in tonnages ranging from 85 to 650 tons. The HT Series earned a reputation as the best-selling toggle press in America, featuring the proprietary Pathfinder family of machine controls and a design that prioritized accessibility, flexibility, and reliable clamping performance. Van Dorn also produced the RS Series horizontal machines, the HP and Classic Toggle lines, and larger-tonnage Spectra and Caliber series presses, as well as vertical injection molding machines suited to insert molding and overmolding applications. The full fleet spanned 50 to 4,400 tons.

Van Dorn injection molding machines served a wide cross-section of North American manufacturing industries. Automotive parts producers relied on the machines for high-pressure structural and trim components, while packaging and consumer goods manufacturers valued their fast cycle times and consistent shot-to-shot repeatability. The medical device sector used Van Dorn horizontal and vertical machines for overmolding and insert molding of instrument components, and general industrial molders across electronics and hardware depended on the mid-range HT tonnages for everyday production.

Used Van Dorn injection molding machines remain in high demand because the machines were built to outlast their original controls by decades, and thousands of units remain in active production across North America long after manufacturing ended. Parts availability is supported through the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag aftersales network, and the VDU retrofit control system extends the working life of legacy machines further still. Buyers seeking used Van Dorn presses are drawn to their proven structural durability, straightforward hydraulic architecture that is easy to maintain, and the strong secondary market that keeps acquisition costs competitive.

Meadoworks is your trusted source for used Van Dorn equipment. As third-generation industrial equipment dealers and AMEA-certified appraisers with over 50 years of experience, we offer quality-inspected Van Dorn machines at competitive prices. Most of our Van Dorn inventory sells before we can list it online — call 800-323-0307 for equipment not yet listed.

Every machine includes detailed specifications and high-resolution photos, and inspection visits are available for most equipment. We ship worldwide with experienced rigging partners and offer financing for qualified buyers. Have Van Dorn equipment to sell? Get a free valuation or contact our team.