Myers shuttering Ohio rotomolding site
AKRON, OHIO — Myers Industries Inc. is closing its rotational molding plant in Fostoria, Ohio, one of three facilities in the company's Ameri-Kart unit.
The closure will cut 50 jobs and will take place during the second quarter of this year. Myers is seeking a buyer for the site.
The Akron-based business said in a March 27 news release that it will consolidate production from Fostoria at a larger facility as part of a corporate restructuring plan to reduce operating costs.
The Ameri-Kart line molds custom parts for the industrial, heavy truck, recreational vehicle, agriculture and other markets. The business division has seen a downturn in sales since 2007, and the Fostoria plant has been operating at “far less capacity than is practical for a prolonged period,” President and CEO John Orr said in the news release.
Palm to lease Bowling Green, Ohio, site
MORENCI, MICH. — The ongoing credit crunch has slowed Palm Plastics LLC's plans to expand in Morenci, but the company now has a chance to establish a plant in Bowling Green, Ohio.
The Morenci-based injection molder of pallets and consumer products is finalizing plans for a leased site in Bowling Green that will give it room needed to boost production, David Munson, director of corporate affairs, said in a March 26 telephone interview. It expects to complete a lease deal by the end of March, but has not determined exactly what operations will go in the site, he said.
Palm Plastics announced plans in October to finance a $7.7 million expansion in Morenci, but that work is on hold because of difficulties accessing liquidity to back the work at this time. The company still plans on adding capacity in Morenci once conditions improve, but the lease offers the chance for needed manufacturing space now.
EC probes possible PVC stabilizer cartel
BRUSSELS — The European Commission has contacted several manufacturers of heat stabilizers, issuing them with a Statement of Objections “concerning their alleged participation in a cartel in violation of [European Union] rules on restrictive business practices,” the Commission said in a news release. It did not name the companies.
The Statement of Objections concerns two categories of heat stabilizers: tin stabilizers, and epoxidized soybean oil/esters. PVC products that the Brussels-based Commission listed as containing these materials are packaging, food packaging, credit cards, bottles, coatings, flooring, artificial leather, plastic wallpaper, and other plastic products.
A Statement of Objections is a formal step in antitrust investigations in which the Commission informs the concerned parties in writing about the objections raised against them, the release said. Those parties then can reply in writing, or request an oral hearing to present their comments on the case.
“Sending a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the procedure,” the news release said.
Plastican boosts rigid container output
LEOMINSTER, MASS. — Plastican Inc. has begun a capacity expansion to boost production of its Twist & Lock rigid plastic containers.
The Leominster-based company said it is buying new molds, machinery and auxiliary equipment for installation at multiple locations.
Size of the investment during the next two years is not being disclosed. The number of new injection molding presses also is confidential, Plastican said.
Demand for the rigid containers introduced in 2007 has grown dramatically, according to Plastican. The firm will add 2- and 6-gallon sizes to its current roster of 3, 3.5 and 5 gallons, Mark Keyes, Plastican's technical service director, said in a telephone interview.
Sales of Twist & Lock now are concentrated in the pool chemicals market, but the addition of new sizes should open up opportunities in retail sales and dry goods.
Plastican logged sales of $145 million in 2007, according to Plastics News estimates.