POTTSVILLE, PA. - AlliedSignal Inc. is spending $40 million to double the capacity of its biaxially oriented nylon 6 film production at Pottsville. Construction began May 12, and the firm plans to start its second Capran Emblem film line in June 1996, said spokeswoman Pat Menagh. It will add about 12 million pounds of annual capacity at the plant, which AlliedSignal claims is the only biaxially oriented nylon film production plant in North America.
Menagh said North American markets for the film are growing about 8 percent per year and demand is now about 17.5 million pounds annually. AlliedSignal's main nylon film competitors are Japanese producers.
AlliedSignal licenses biaxially oriented film technology from Unitika Ltd. of Japan and has an agreement with the Japanese firm for the Pottsville expansion.
Investigation of PE market continues
AKRON, OHIO - The Justice Department confirmed May 22 that it is continuing the investigation it launched in January into anticompetitive practices in polyethylene markets.
Justice Department spokesman William Brooks said he could not supply more information beyond confirming the investigation is proceeding.
Meanwhile, executives of several PE suppliers said they and their companies are continuing to work with the Justice Department, and hope to bring the investigation to a close.
Apparently acting on complaints lodged by film extruders in New Jersey, the Justice Department's Philadelphia office in early January requested pricing and other market information from a number of PE producers. Since then, executives said the investigation appears to have concentrated on makers of linear low density PE.
Ray Products plans move to Calif. plant
EL MONTE, CALIF.-Ray Products Inc. of El Monte closed escrow on a new building in Ontario, Calif., and plans a June move.
The 48,000-square-foot plant sits on 5 acres, which gives the company more manufacturing space and room for expansion. It also will allow the firm to combine its painting operations in the same facility. Painting is currently done in another building.
President Bruce Ray declined to comment on the plant's cost. He said he has purchased several pieces of new equipment and expanded the operations during the past three years.
Recently, the company purchased two computer numerically controlled five-axis routers, bringing the company's total to four. Ray Products also operates seven, single-station forming machines, and has plans to add more thermoforming equipment this year. The company employs 54, and primarily serves the medical, electronic and computer industries.
Quail building another PE pipe plant
HOUSTON - Quail Pipe Corp. will build its third polyethylene pipe plant, in Sandersville, Ga. The facility is scheduled to begin production late this year.
Quail President T.J. Hammer said the plant will serve the southeastern United States. Quail extrudes PE pipe used for distribution of natural gas, oil and industrial process fluids. The company also makes U-Liner, a patented, no-dig pipe relining system.
Quail and its existing plants in Roaring Springs, Texas, and Magnolia, Ark., were acquired in July by Hydro Conduit Corp. a major manufacturer of concrete pipe.
Randy Barton, executive vice president, said the building will measure 56,800 square feet. Quail purchased five new Davis-Standard pipe extrusion lines, he said. He declined to say how much Quail is investing or how many jobs the plant will create.
Sun Coast purchases Mexican company
DALLAS - Sun Coast Industries Inc. announced it has acquired Nova Plast SA of Mexico City. The company makes a broad line of household products, including kitchenware and children's and baby products, which are sold entirely within the Mexican market.
Nova Plast has annual sales of about $5 million. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sun Coast, based in Dallas, manufactures plastic closures, break-resistant melamine tableware and dinnerware, and specialty melamine and urea resins.
