In 1962, a Rhode Island precious jewelry manufacturer joined forces with a Canadian die cast manufacturer, who brought to the partnership, proprietary 4-slide die casting equipment. The new partners hired a manager who took the company in a commercial and industrial direction, exiting the jewelry industry.
The pneumatic 4-slide equipment was built and designed for the zipper industry, producing extremely small, yet precise die castings, which paved the way for the company’s specialization in miniature casting components. As the zipper industry declined, Miniature Casting Corp’s expansion into industrial manufacturing was proving successful, as it became the prime supplier for Polaroid, supplying the inertia stop component for the popular Land Camera.
By 1980, the company transitioned to new ownership, under Bob Piacitelli, an entrepreneur and engineer, who was new to the manufacturing industry. Bob has brought his company through major changes over the last 35 years. His equipment has been through three generations of innovation, from mechanical cams, to electronic switches to automation. Then came the addition of conventional 15 Ton Horlachers, hydraulic 2-slide equipment, and later on hydraulic 2-slide and 4-slide machines from Techmire to expand the capabilities into larger size castings and high volume, multi-cavity production. All equipment is still in use today.
1989 marked another significant milestone for Miniature Casting Corporation, when the company moved to a state-of-the-art, custom designed manufacturing facility in the Howard Industrial Park, in Cranston, Rhode Island, which is where it currently resides.
Secondary processing was always offered by Miniature Casting Corporation as part of the overall service package. In 1999, Miniature Casting purchased the assets of a tapping company in Massachusetts, and since then tapping, reaming, and other secondary machining operations are performed in-house. Polishing, plating, electro coating and other surface finishing needs are handled through a network of high quality, reliable subcontractors, all located in Rhode Island or other parts of New England.
Quality management standards at Miniature Casting Corporation are ISO 9001:2015 certified, with the initial ISO 9001 certification dating back to 1996. The company provides customers with product that meets or exceeds requirements by utilizing FMEA, PPAP, SPC and Continuous Improvement.
Miniature Casting Corporation has always focused on conservation and environmental concerns, and in 1991 was the subject of national recognition for its efforts in wastewater recycling. In conjunction with the DEM and the University of Rhode Island, Miniature Casting Corporation developed a wastewater recycling program, which reduced wastewater discharge to zero. Following the implementation of the program, the company was awarded a grant to publish its work so that manufacturers throughout the nation could avail themselves to such processes.
As of August 2014, Miniature Casting is being led by Stephan Toljan, who joined the team as President, while Bob continues in his role as Chairman of the Board. The primary objectives will be to improve Miniature Casting’s market penetration in the US, develop international business opportunities in various industry segments, and to lead this Rhode Island based manufacturer into a successful future.
While Miniature Casting continues its growth in industrial manufacturing, it will always maintain its focus on superior quality, customer service and commitment to excellence.
Our Team
Stephan Toljan
President
Stephan joined the Miniature Casting team in the summer of 2014. He is new to the die casting industry and brings 25 years of experience in various executive Marketing and Sales roles within Swarovski, a global corporation in the luxury consumer goods industry. Originally from Austria, and after attending Vienna University of Economics and Business, his professional career has brought him to Brazil before landing in Rhode Island in 1994. His extensive global experience, developing and growing consumer and business-to-business market segments, and vast knowledge of the North American, South American and European markets will support his primary objectives to improve MCC’s market penetration in the US and to develop international business opportunities in various industry segments. Stephan enjoys skiing and landscaping, and lives in Rhode Island with his wife and three children.
Angela Piacitelli Toljan
Senior Vice President, Operations
Angela has been a part of the Miniature Casting team since 2016, joining her husband, Stephan. She came to the company with over fifteen years as a private business owner and extensive operations and management expertise. After graduating from the University of Vermont and working for a few years in Boston, she found her place in Providence, buying a small toy and paper store. She grew it into two stores and an e-commerce site. Her comprehensive retail store ownership has also made her an experienced operational leader with a unique adaptability to ever-changing demand of her customers. Since joining the MCC family she has helped guide the perpetual expansion of our business, integrated new state of the art operations management software, and continuously strives to improve all processes within the company. As SVP, she overseas Finance, Customer Service, IT, and HR, as well as planning and scheduling. When Angela is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and traveling.
Keith Marden
General Manager
Keith has been with Miniature Casting for more than 10 years and has many more years of experience in the die casting industry. As the VP of Manufacturing, he oversees the entire manufacturing process, from tool design to finished part. His extensive knowledge of zinc die casting, his passion for complex and challenging tool design, and his exceptional attention to detail and quality make him an invaluable asset to the organization. Keith is the primary contact for Design and Product Engineers and will collaboratively find the best and most cost effective solution for any of our customers’ die casting needs. Keith holds an engineering degree from UMass Dartmouth and lives with his family in southeastern Massachusetts.