Bavarian expanding profile capacity
DICKSON, TENN. — Vinyl window profile extruder Bavarian Polymers USA Inc. is adding 4.5 million pounds of twin-screw extrusion capacity to its Dickson plant as part of a new product launch.
Dickson-based Bavarian has developed a proprietary profile stiffener designed to replace aluminum and steel. The product is called Polymeric Reinforcement System, or Pres. “Pres allows high flexibility with profile design in combination with strength, rigidity and low weight,” a company news release said.
The company said in November that they expected to complete the expansion by the end of the year.
Bavarian officials announced in late 2005 that they were investing about $5.5 million in the 50,000-square-foot Dickson plant on a 22-acre site. Plant capacity was about 15 million pounds per year at the time.
The Knoxville, Tenn.-based Tennessee Valley Authority helped to finance the 2005 project. Bavarian was to receive $5,000 for each job it created, up to $2 million, but not to exceed 25 percent of Bavarian's capital investment.
Autoliv buying, absorbing Delphi unit
STOCKHOLM — Swedish auto supplier Autoliv Inc. is acquiring Delphi Automotive LLP's North American passive safety business and will move much of the production into its own plants.
The deal announced Nov. 17 will include one steering wheel plant in Matamoros, Mexico, but other air-bag and seatbelt production will transition into Autoliv plants, Stockholm-based Autoliv said in a news release.
The companies did not disclose a purchase price.
The business is expected to hit $125 million in sales next year to customers including General Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. Plastics are used throughout steering wheel, air-bag and seatbelt production both for visible trim and internal components.
Troy, Mich.-based Delphi has been trimming its extensive operations through a series of sales as part of its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.
Autoliv wants to use the Delphi business to boost its vertical integration in steering wheels, said CEO Jan Carlson.
Insulock group unseats 3 as directors
MESA, ARIZ. — American Insulock Inc., a developer of polyurethane insulated concrete forms used in the construction industry, has appointed Randy Innis, Cynthia Corbin and Glen Roberts directors, according to a Dec. 7 news release. Innis will also become chairman of the board.
The changes come after a group of shareholders led by Enna Keller, the company's former CEO, filed an Oct. 20 resolution with the Canadian province of British Columbia suggesting that American Insulock's board of directors and upper management should be removed from office. At the core of shareholder complaints was the assertion that company officials have done an inadequate job of disclosing company financials and activities by way of annual general meetings or investor relations.
The Mesa-based company also announced that Kenneth Russell, Robert Jamieson Sr. and Robert Jamieson Jr. have resigned as directors. The elder Jamieson will continue as president and Robert Jamieson Jr. will continue as chief financial officer.
American Insulock is a technology firm serving the ICF industry. It has a partnership with Mississauga, Ontario-based Woodbridge Group, which makes the polyurethane ICFs.
MonoSol growing in water-soluble film
MERRILLVILLE, IND. — MonoSol LLC plans to increase capacity for water-soluble films by more than 20 percent in 2010 and an additional 20 percent in 2011.
The Merrillville-based company said the increase is being driven by growth in markets including unit-dose packaging, composite fabricating and dust abatement.
“MonoSol's investments will be greater than $20 million over the next two years and [will add] significant resources at our 16-acre, expandable La Porte, Ind., facility,” said Vice President David DeVoll in a news release.
MonoSol makes water-soluble packaging films, mold-release films, transfer printing films, embroidery support films, water-soluble laundry bags and edible films. The firm also has plants in Portage, Ind., and Hartlebury, England.
Copyright 2009 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved.