International Automotive to add global parts capacity
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN (September 2, 2008) -- International Automotive Components Group (IAC) is expanding internationally, breaking ground on two joint venture factories in China and buying a plant near
Liverpool, England. Dearborn-based IAC said it will build the two joint-venture factories in China over the next 12 months. The supplier of plastic interior parts, including door panels, instrument
panels, overhead systems and flooring systems, will break ground for one of the plants late this year and another in early 2009.
Auto suppliers seek edge with automation
 Mengel
A. Schulman seeking buyer for sheet unit
 Gingo
Mann + Hummel bolsters its global automotive reach
 Seipler
Experts: Lighter-weight vehicles mean more composites
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (August 26, 2008) -- Consumer demand for smaller, lighter and more-efficient cars is outpacing any standards the U.S. federal government has proposed for fuel consumption
standards. Composites and thermoplastics offer benefits in shedding weight from cars and trucks, which improves gas mileage. And parts consolidation through modular design offers cost savings.
Plastics News was in Michigan to report on the auto industry’s Management Briefing Seminars as experts discussed the many facets of developing more-efficient vehicles.
Jyco Sealing Technology expands use of TPV seals
DEXTER, MICHIGAN (August 26, 2008) -- Jyco Sealing Technologies already has helped lead the shift from rubber to thermoplastics for automotive weather seals. Even as the company expands its existing
business, it is looking to the next wave for thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) seals -- using old tires in new cars and replacing metal cores with less expensive plastic. The company extrudes seals in
Montreal, Quebec, and Guaymas, Mexico, and has a new plant opening soon in the Czech Republic. It also operates joint ventures to make TPV seals in China, Belgium and Japan.
Automakers discuss tooling at industry event
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (August 19, 2008) -- Automakers are aware how much the tooling industry is hurting. But that does not mean that tooling companies can expect any sympathy business. Executives
noted that the industry needs to improve its flexibility in creating future products, including adjusting engineering specifics that allow toolmakers to adapt and improve their molds and speed
development.
Business as usual: Auto execs still see promise in Russia
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (August 19, 2008) -- The auto industry sees Russia as one of its bright areas for future growth, but the bulk of the news out of Russia this week isn’t about cars. Instead, it
is with the regular reports on the growing battle between Russia and Georgia. While executives are quick to note that they are staying out of the political realm of discussions, one executive noted
that business realities will keep the auto industry building in the region.
Future unsure for massive Ford auto interiors plant
SALINE, MICHIGAN (August 12, 2008) -- Negotiations have ended without a sale for the Ford Motor Co.’s massive auto interiors plant in Saline, which darkens the future for the plant and its 1,700
employees. Ford’s Automotive Components Holdings LLC subsidiary said it is “considering all options” for the 150,000-square-meter plant, which houses both plastics processing and
assembly. The subsidiary noted that no decisions have been made about its future, except that “ongoing operations will continue beyond 2008.” One industry watcher said Saline’s best hope
could be if an international auto supplier from an emerging region such as China or India sees the plant as a good opportunity to break into the North American market.
S. Korean auto supplier Hanwha expanding in U.S.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (August 12, 2008) -- Hanwha L&C Corp. is expanding its Southern U.S. plant, joining the ranks of other auto suppliers boosting production in the region. The company molds glass-mat
thermoplastics and expanded polypropylene at the Opelika, Alabama, plant for structural bumper components. Based in Seoul, Hanwha also makes flooring, window profile extrusions and packaging films.
The expansion comes three years after the facility first opened to supply parts for a nearby Hyundai Motor Co. plant.
Husky to emphasize packaging over automotive
BOLTON, ONTARIO (August 12, 2008) -- Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. will reduce its presence in the large-molding-machine market for the automotive sector in favor of building up its core
business of presses for PET preforms and the packaging sector. The decision to de-emphasize large-machine manufacturing reflects differing growth rates in the respective markets.
Recycler MBA may expand in U.K. or China
 Biddle
Plastics help designs bring home IDSA gold
 One project provides low-cost, energy-efficient laptops to children around the world.
Hard times force U.S. molder Modern to shut doors
BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN (July 29, 2008) -- Modern Plastics Corp., founded in 1937, is closing down -- a victim, company officials said, of the many hardships facing the U.S. plastics industry.
Executives said Modern Plastics got walloped by high costs for resin, utilities, transportation and health care, the inability to pass along price increases, financial turmoil at customers and loss
of work to China and Mexico.
Hoffer buys minority stake in auto molder Intec Group
SOUTH ELGIN, ILLINOIS (July 22, 2008) -- At the request of some of its top customers, Hoffer Plastics Corp. has expanded its global footprint by investing in a minority share of Intec Group Inc. Intec
runs three plants in China, and one each in the U.S., Singapore and Mexico. The two firms see it as a complementary marriage since their markets have little overlap. Hoffer’s end markets include
packaging and industrial and consumer products, with less than 10 percent automotive, while Intec’s reputation as an auto molder should help Hoffer gain business in that area.
International plastics mergers, acquisitions on rise
 Blaige
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