Israel auto-parts maker plans U.S. site
KIBBUTZ REVIVIM, ISRAEL - Israel-based Raval ACS Ltd. is expanding in the United States, with a plan to spend $7 million to build a design, development and manufacturing base in Rochester Hills, Mich., for its injection molded auto parts.
Raval USA Inc. will focus on creating North American business for its line of vents and valves in fuel systems. The company expects to have 65 jobs at its new facility.
Raval ACS, based in Kibbutz Revivim, is a publicly traded company on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, which already has built a business for itself with European carmakers.
Molder, designer Madison buying Bunch
MADISON, WIS. - Madison Group plans to boost its plastics analysis consulting capabilities by acquiring the business operations of Bunch Engineering of Prairie du Sac, Wis.
Bunch Engineering specializes in injection molding analysis, especially through the use of Moldflow software. Bunch complements Madison's experience in thermoset compression molding, structural analysis and design, according to Madison President Paul Gramann. Madison has its own software, Cadpress, to simulate thermoset compression molding. Gramann said the combination of analytical strengths will be unique for a consulting engineering company.
Madison probably will hire two more engineers when it takes over the Bunch Engineering business in the third quarter, Gramann said in a recent telephone interview. The addition will boost Madison's staff to 10 engineers. As well, Bunch Engineering principal Michael Bunch will join Madison for an unspecified time to aid in the transition after the sale.
Gramann said Madison is expanding its office and laboratory space at the site in Madison. By next March, it will occupy nearly 5,000 square feet.
ACC's Gerard to join petroleum group
PALM DESERT, CALIF. - Jack Gerard, president of the American Chemistry Council, plans to leave that job to head the American Petroleum Institute.
Gerard will replace Red Cavaney, who was president of ACC's American Plastics Council from 1994-1997 before joining API as its president and chief executive officer.
Gerard took over as president and CEO of Arlington, Va.-based ACC in July 2005.
Gerard will join API in September. ACC has already begun a search for a replacement and plans to have someone in place when Gerard leaves.
Gerard ``has done an outstanding job. He moved the organization forward and made it a well-respected organization in Washington,'' said Bob Wood, chairman of ACC and chairman and chief executive officer of Chemtura Corp.
ACC's board is holding its annual meeting June 4-5 in Palm Desert. API, which is based in Washington, is the main U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry.
Dynamic enters film manufacturing
MEDIA, PA. - Dynamic Solutions Unlimited LLC has entered film manufacturing.
The Media consulting firm has acquired the Newmarket, Ontario, film business formerly run by Exopack LLC. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed for the June 1 transaction.
Dynamic's main business has been packaging-related consulting on sourcing and the supply chain. It also operated as a broker and distributor, according to its owner Rosie Jaipaul. The Newmarket operation is its first foray into manufacturing.
``It fits perfectly,'' Jaipaul said in a telephone interview. The film operation balances well with Dynamic's other businesses, she said.
The Newmarket plant comprises 10 extrusion lines with capabilities of up to eight layers. Output of single- and multilayer polyethylene film was mainly sold to converters and for form-fill-seal applications and shrink bundling. Printing equipment formerly located at the site was moved out by Exopack before the purchase.
The business has been in operation for more than 50 years. It now employs 29, all of whom will be offered jobs under the new owner.
Exopack said in a June 2 news release that the Newmarket business's product mix did not fit with the rest of the company.