MILAN, ITALY - Sales of Italian-made packaging machinery in-creased more than 20 percent in 1995, to $2.3 million (3.8 billion lira), according to UCIMA, the Milan-based trade association representing that industry. UCIMA reports growth in both domestic demand and exports. Exports totaled $1.9 million. Exports have doubled since 1992 and today account for more than 80 percent of Italy's packaging machinery business.
About 8 percent of Italy's exports go to the United States. Europe and Asia are the top two export markets.
WASHINGTON - The Machinery Division of the Washington-based Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. has issued Phase II of its communication protocol and published a new book on safety.
Called HostNet, Phase II of the protocol coordinates electronic communication among multiple injection molding machines. Using the protocol, all molding can be tied into a computer regardless of make or model.
``HostNet makes computer-integrated manufacturing a reality,'' said Walt Bishop, executive director of the Machinery Division.
The division also has published the Product Safety Management Handbook, which provides basic information and tips on developing a product safety management plan. The book includes two chapters on legal issues, including defenses against liability claims and how to file insurance claims.
The book comes in a three-ring binder. SPI will send updates on a regular basis. Cost is $100 per copy for SPI members for one to four copies, and $85 a copy for five or more. Nonmembers pay $150 or $135. Contact Sharon McGarvey at (202) 371-5231.
Separately, SPI's Machinery Division and the Molders Division have published safety guidelines for multiple-station vertical injection molding machines.
WAUCONDA, ILL. - Duro-Chrome Industries Inc. of Wauconda re-cently expanded its facility by 7,000 square feet and its production capacity by 30 percent.
Don Doherty, sales manager, said Duro-Chrome took over space that it formerly leased in order to expand its facility to a total of 25,000 square feet.
Duro-Chrome provides hard chromium plating services for plastic injection molds and thermoset molds. Doherty said the firm's plating business has been offered for about 20 years, but ``the plastics industry is just starting to recognize the value of chrome plating for molds.''
Chrome plating extends the life of molds by protecting against wear and abrasion.
The firm also offers mold polishing and employs 30.
Doherty said that in 1987, the company had about $150,000 in annual sales. This year, it expects to do about $2 million.
Reichhold Chemicals Inc. of Research Triangle Park, N.C., has recognized FRP Supply as a full-line distributor in Arizona. FRP Supply of Dublin, Ohio, is a national distributor for Reich-hold, a maker of resins and adhesives.