Nolato to acquire Shieldmate Robotics ITASCA, ILL. — Nolato AB has agreed to acquire an Illinois custom manufacturer of cellular telephones as a second foray into the U.S. market.
Torekov, Sweden-based Nolato signed a definitive agreement Feb. 6 to acquire Shieldmate Robotics Inc. from the Matecki family for $25.5 million and other considerations.
The cash deal is scheduled to close March 15, contingent on regulatory clearances. Itasca-based Shieldmate is a high-volume, precision-oriented injection molder with expertise in thin-wall electronic housings, robotic electromagnetic-interference-shielding techniques and product assembly.
Tomas Sjolin, Nolato president and chief executive officer, said his company's experience as a supplier of finished products will complement Shieldmate's operations.
Nolato supplies Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson, Nokia Oyj, Allgon AB and Salcomp Oy and, through Shieldmate, intends to add Motorola Inc., Qualcomm Inc. and Denso Corp.
Shieldmate employs about 450, operates 46 injection molding machines of 40-500 tons and occupies a 100,000-square-foot facility. The firm projects 2000 sales of about $40 million.
IARC re-evaluating DEHP cancer rating
LYON, FRANCE — The International Agency for Research on Cancer is reviewing its cancer rating for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, leaving industry officials hopeful the chemical will be judged less of a risk.
Such a change could have some impact on the public debate about DEHP since some organizations and governments consider IARC ratings in their evaluations, according to one chemical industry official. The Food and Drug Administration hopes to release its own review of phthalate safety this spring.
Scientists for IARC, based in Lyon, expect to make a decision on DEHP and other chemicals Feb. 22. The IARC official leading the review declined to comment. Right now, IARC considers DEHP "possibly" carcinogenic to people.
But Health Care Without Harm, an environmental organization raising questions about phthalate safety in PVC medical devices, played down the impact a reclassification would have. The group said DEHP remains a developmental and reproductive toxin, even if its cancer risk is judged less severe.
Titan buys injection, rotomolding plant
BRADFORD, ENGLAND — T&D Industries plc has sold its Rotherham, England, rotational and injection molding plant to Titan Plastech Ltd.
The plant makes wheeled garbage bins, buckets and parts for the plumbing and heating industry. T&D Industries has been selling off its assets since October, when the Bradford-based firm was forced into receivership.
Titan Plastech is a newly formed subsidiary of Kingspan Group plc of Kingscourt, Ireland. Terms were not disclosed.
Founded in the 1960s, the Irish company's core business is the manufacture of steel-faced polyurethane foam insulation panels for construction. It also makes rigid PU foam boards for floors, walls and flat roofs.
Kingspan also rotomolds plastic tanks and intermediate bulk containers. The company has been concentrating on developing new rotomolded products and plans to extend its range.
The Plastech plant in Rotherham now employs 90, some 13 fewer than it did when the receivers took over.
TV ad campaign attacks Ky. bottle bill
FRANKFORT, KY. — The soft drink, packaging and retail industries launched a television advertising campaign against a proposed bottle bill in Kentucky, a step some observers said is unprecedented in bottle-bill battles.
Tom Fitzgerald, director of the Kentucky Resources Council in Frankfort, said the industries are spending about $77,000 in the first 10 days of the ad campaign.
Industry officials said they brought the effort to the airwaves Feb. 5 as a way to counteract the editorial positions of two major daily newspapers that the officials say favor the bill.
The bill carries some powerful support — both the governor and the majority leader of Kentucky's House back some form of it. The bill would put a nickel deposit on containers of 4-20 ounces, and 10 cents on larger bottles. It also would put a one-quarter cent advance disposal fee, assessed on distributors, on any container, bag or cup used at a drive-through window.