JOLIET, ILL. -- Western Industries Inc. has expanded its custom injection molding business by acquiring Freedom Plastics Inc. of Joliet.

Freedom has presses with clamping forces of 30-720 tons and supplies a range of industries from plants in Joliet and Sheffield, Ill. It reported sales of about $14 million in 1996, according to Plastics News' survey of custom injection molders.

Ronald Morris, Western president and chief executive officer, said in an Oct. 19 news release that his firm plans other acquisitions. Western, based in Milwaukee, does custom injection and large-part blow molding in Chilton, Wis., and large-part blow molding in Winfield, Kan. It acquired the latter facility in 1996 when it bought KSQ Inc. Western also runs five metal fabrication plants. Its main markets are appliance, recreation, lawn and garden, agricultural and construction industries.