Western Concord buys Infiniti press
NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Western Concord Manufacturing Ltd. recently began production with a servo-driven Infiniti printing press from Paper Converting Machine Co.
The region's first 10-color press is expected to add 30 percent to Western Concord's capacity, President Linda Simpson said in a telephone interview. The firm will operate three presses after retiring an older unit.
The new, central impression-flexographic press has a maximum film width of 57 inches, uses sleeve technology instead of cylinders and, for infinitely variable image repeats, has alternating-current servomotors instead of gears, said Andy Hall-Patch, Western Concord print operations manager in New Westminster.
Green Bay, Wis.-based PCMC built the press at its plant in Plymouth, England, said Tom Jacques, PCMC global business development manager.
Western Concord invested about $6 million in the press, companion equipment and infrastructure improvements. An 11,000-square-foot addition expanded the plant to 70,000 square feet.
Western Concord in New Westminster employs about 170. The firm extrudes, converts and prints bakery and freezer bags and shrink films. Western Concord also has a finishing operation and industrial extruded film production site in Edmonton, Alberta.
Aussie hanger maker sees demand wane
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Slow retail demand for polypropylene hangers and apparel products has affected sales at Melbourne-based Spotless Group Ltd.'s plastic division.
The division comprises London-based Braitrim Holdings Ltd. and Melbourne-based Spotless Plasti-form, which supply PP garment hangers to retailers. Braitrim also supplies apparel packaging products and sources designs from the global market. Spotless acquired Braitrim in March for A$350 million (US$214 million).
Spotless Chairman Brian Blythe said prospective clients were wary to start new programs because of uncertain market conditions, leading to a slower start to the firm's fiscal year, which began July 1.
He said sales reflected current market conditions. There was ``no evidence of lost customers,'' but the firm's sales were lower than expected. Braitrim also was affected by its money-losing hanger recycling service, Blythe said.
He said Plasti-form's half-year earnings were 10 percent above the same period last year, but Braitrim made little contribution above its interest costs for the period.
Firm changes name, expands capacity
YORK, PA. - C-P Converters Inc. has changed its name and is expanding its stable of printing and slitting equipment.
Now known as C-P Flexible Packaging, the firm is adding a new Stanford slitter and its second eight-color Vision-Max press from Paper Converting Machine Co. Last year it installed the first PCMC press and a new Comexi solids laminator.
The equipment, ``coupled with an aggressive technology development program,'' will help the York company diversify into new markets, Tony Vaudo, president and chief executive officer, said in a Feb. 13 news release.
Elcam establishes Phoenix subsidiary
PHOENIX - Precision injection molder Elcam Plastic LP of Bar'am, Israel, has established a Phoenix subsidiary.
Elcam Medical Inc. aims to ``bring in new products'' for fully certified manufacturing in Israel, Bruce Ward, general manager of the unit, said by telephone.
The parent firm is a major producer of medical infusion-control devices such as stopcocks and needleless injection systems.
The U.S. unit will build liaisons with customers, and it intends to develop partnership, joint venture, licensing and inventor relationships. Medical Associates Network Inc. of Glendale, Calif., has handled Elcam products in the United States for nearly a decade.
Elcam Medical employs four, occupies 2,100 square feet in Phoenix and contracts with eight professional groups for legal, patent, design and other services. It began operations in January.
In Israel, Elcam Plastic employs 120 and has annual sales of about $20 million.
Tri-Star purchases manufacturing cell
ANAHEIM, CALIF. - Custom injection molder Tri-Star Plastics Inc. of Anaheim began full production in a new manufacturing cell in late December and anticipates adding another cell during 2002.
Tri-Star invested nearly $300,000 for equipment to mold, assemble and package houseware and specialty packaging products under new contracts, Eric Muller, president and 80 percent owner, said by telephone.
The cell is made up of a 500-ton Toshiba injection molding machine, Yushin automation system, Case Automation custom-made safety guarding, a Labeltronix labeling system and Dri-Air Industries dryer and conveyor.
Tri-Star employs 125. The company has 27 presses of 60-720 tons. Its largest markets are electronics, water quality and home construction.
