ZCL to pay $20.5M to acquire Dualam
EDMONTON, ALBERTA — ZCL Composites Inc. plans to buy Montreal-based Dualam Plastics Inc. for $20.5 million.
Dualam makes custom-engineered fiberglass-reinforced plastic and dual-laminate composite products for corrosion-resistant applications in the power generation, chemical, chloralkali, pulp and paper and other sectors.
Dualam's two primary operating divisions are CPF Dualam and Troy Manufacturing. The firm has eight manufacturing and service facilities in Canada and the U.S..
“As we have commented in the past, we believe there are significant opportunities in the corrosion market and with the addition of the strong team at Dualam we believe we are now in a position to grow our presence in this market,” said Ven Côté, president and CEO of Edmonton-based ZCL, said in a news release.
Dualam had sales of about $44 million for the fiscal year ended Nov. 30, 2008.
Charter work drives DMP plant expansion
NASHOTAH, WIS. — Injection molder Dickten Masch Plastics LLC is investing $2.8 million to install a fluid-level indicator product line from one of its longtime customers.
DMP said the project will create 75 jobs and retain 160 current jobs. It will receive $293,000 in state tax credits.
The work is coming from Milwaukee-based Charter Automotive. The Tier 1 and 2 auto supplier recently announced that it was exiting the fluid-level indicator business. Some 60 Charter employees are being asked to transfer to DMP, with another 20 expected to be added when the division reaches full capacity, by October 2010.
The company said it also has won business from a regional medical equipment maker that is bringing work back from China.
DMP molds parts for customers in the power-tool, electronics, small-engine, construction, health-care and food industries. It has thermoplastic injection presses from 40-725 tons of clamping force and thermoset injection and compression/transfer presses from 55-800 tons.
The firm reported sales of $50 million in Plastics News' most recent ranking of North American injection molders.
Buckhorn invests in Missouri operation
AKRON, OHIO — Materials-handling company Buckhorn Inc. is investing $6.5 million and adding 80 jobs at its Springfield, Mo., plant as it consolidates operations there.
The company, part of Akron-based Myers Industries Inc., had announced in September that it would close its injection molding plant in Shelbyville, Ky., cutting 88 jobs. The expansion in Springfield reflects both the shift of work from Kentucky and growth in key business areas, the local chamber of commerce said in a Dec. 18 news release. Myers Industries had no comment.
Buckhorn employs about 160 in Springfield with injection and structural foam molding. About half of the new jobs will be added during the first quarter of 2010.
Myers focused on Buckhorn and its Akro-Mils plastics unit for “manufacturing optimization” in 2009. It sold its Buckhorn Rubber Products Inc. and Michigan Rubber Products Inc. companies in November to China's Zhongding Sealing Parts Co. of Ningguo.
Sabic IP adds lines in India for PC film
VADODARA, INDIA — Sabic Innovative Plastics added two new extrusion lines at its Vadodara plant, expanding production of specialty film and sheet.
The Pittsfield, Mass.-based company said the new lines will be used to make Lexan-brand polycarbonate sheet for industrial roofing and metro-rail seating, for local customers in India.
Demand for PC sheet in Asia is “being driven largely by the building and construction industry where our materials are widely used in residential roofing; commercial roofing for rail stations, airports and stadiums; and sound-wall glazing applications,” said Darrell Hughes, general manager for specialty film and sheet, in a news release.
The Vadodara sheet operation is next to a Sabic IP compounding plant. The firm will manufacture two-sided ultraviolet-protected sheet in clear and custom colors. The new plant also will make sign sheet, corrugated sheet and specialty opaque grades.
Injectronics boosting capacity at Mass. HQ
CLINTON, MASS. — Injectronics Corp. is boosting its insert injection molding and overall capability with the addition of new equipment to an ISO Class 8 clean room at its Clinton headquarters.
The firm added a 20-ton Sodick vertical injection molding machine, an 80-ton Nissei horizontal press, a Wittmann six-axis robot and an automated packaging conveyor, all in support of a new project for an existing customer.
The vertical press is especially important, said sales and marketing director John Schwab, as it can be used for multiple projects.
The added equipment will result in two or three more jobs, he said. The firm now employs a total of 70 in Clinton and Westborough, Mass. It operates 26 presses and a thermoforming machine.
Injectronics is an ISO 13485 registered company and does work ranging from product development and processing to contract assembly of medical devices. Schwab said 90 percent of the firm's sales come from medical device or medical disposals. The rest is in consumer products.
The firm does not release sales figures, but he said it had growth with new customers in 2009 and expects the same in 2010.
Sigma site doubling silage film production
LYNDHURST, N.J. — Sigma Stretch Film of Canada Co. is investing about C$4.4 million (US$4.2 million) at its Belleville, Ontario, plant.
The firm plans to double silage film production, which involves installing a five-layer, Battenfeld Gloucester blown film line and building renovations, said Sigma plant manager Kevin McCaughen.
“It's specifically for silage,” McCaughen said by telephone. “Most of this film will go to Europe.”
Silage film is made of polyethylene and is used to secure agricultural feed such as hay bales. Sigma also makes stretch film in Belleville.
The firm already makes monolayer silage film on two lines in Belleville, but the five-layer product will allow it to compete more effectively in overseas markets. In addition to Europe, silage film will be aimed at Asia and new markets in South America.
Belleville is the sole silage film production point for Sigma Plastics Group of Lyndhurst.
McCaughen estimated the new film line will begin production in late January. The project is aided with a C$655,000 (US$619,000) contribution through the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. It is expected to add 10-15 jobs.
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