Cortec builds on to advanced films plant
WHITE BEAR, MINN. - Cortec Corp. has expanded space at its advanced films plant in Cambridge, Minn., to accommodate a new blown film extrusion line that will be installed in the next month.
The company, based in White Bear, has added 17,000 square feet to the Cambridge plant, Cortec's sole film-manufacturing location, spokesman Matt Munn said Aug. 12. The expansion takes the plant to about 102,000 square feet of space.
A blown film coextrusion line will be installed to make shrink film used to wrap and store military vehicles and aircraft, Munn said. The line has annual capacity of 40 million pounds, he added.
The company also manufactures vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors that can be used in its polyethylene film, and has developed a biodegradable film that breaks down in compost.
The Cambridge plant is operated by the Cortec Advanced Films Division.
Former Amcor execs start consulting firm
TORONTO - Two former Amcor PET executives have teamed up to teach other executives decision-making skills.
In today's pressured business world, it's easy for many executives to focus on ``putting out fires,'' according to Garry Davis, former president and chief executive officer of Amcor PET Americas Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario.
``We teach them to act strategically and to be more organized,'' he said.
Davis is a partner in Davis Walsh & Associates Inc. of Toronto.
The other principal is Brian Walsh, former vice president of sales and marketing for North America for Amcor PET Packaging in Manchester, Mich. Walsh retired from his position in January and Davis left his post in April 2003.
Davis said in a telephone interview that the partners also teach negotiating skills.
``We did a lot of multimillion-dollar contracts,'' Davis said.
It's easy for an executive to contract to sell at too low a price or to buy at too high a price, he said. Since that affects profitability, the executive often tries to compensate for the bad deal by cutbacks in operations, which can lead to a downward spiral for quality and services.
Getting honest and unbiased advice can help executives avoid those problems, Davis said.
Sarna Group covers Olympic volleyball
SARNEN, SWITZERLAND - Swiss construction and automotive components manufacturer Sarna Group is playing a role in the 2004 Olympic Games this month in Athens, Greece.
Sarnafil, the group's construction materials division, supplied the roof of the ``Stadium of Peace and Friendship,'' which houses the Olympic volleyball competitions.
The roof of the 115-foot-high stadium has to weather high summer temperatures, variable wind strengths and salty sea air.
The concave roof is suspended from external pillars, which allows spectators a clear view of the competition. Sarnafil's polymer-based roof-sealing membrane, TS 77-15-RAL 7040, spans an area the size of two soccer pitches, according to Sarnen-based Sarna.
Some 14,000 athletes and spectators are expected in the stadium.
Sarnafil, which has been active in Greece for about 20 years, believes the contract will enable it to win new business in the country, said Josef Marbach, divisional flat roof business manager.
