IAC purchase adds acoustics, flooring
DEARBORN, MICH. — International Automotive Components Group North America LLC is adding more acoustics and flooring products to its auto interiors line with its recent acquisition of Stankiewicz International Corp. of Spartanburg, S.C.
In 2009, IAC bought Germany's Stankiewicz GmbH, with flooring and acoustics operations in Europe. The purchase of the North American business brings the Dearborn-based firm a manufacturing campus with three factories totaling 190,000 square feet, about 150 employees and $30 million in annual sales.
Financial terms of the deal were not released.
The bulk of the Spartanburg production is in non-woven acoustics and carpets. IAC anticipates the operation's sales will hit $50 million in 2011 on the strength of upcoming contracts.
Nissan recycles scrap at Mexican subsidiary
AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO — Nissan Mexicana SA de CV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., said Jan. 9 it is recycling all waste material from manufacturing processes at its vehicle assembly facility in Aguascalientes.
The material comprises mostly plastics, metals and cardboard, and is the first Nissan manufacturing operation outside Japan to recycle all manufacturing waste.
Among other vehicles, Nissan makes the Sentra and Versa sedans for the United States and Mexico at the complex. (The Versa is called the Tiida in Mexico.)
Nissan Motor Co. is based in Yokohama, Japan.
PGI's China facility planning R&D center
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Polymer Group Inc. plans to set up a research center at its plant in Suzhou, China.
The center will develop non-wovens technology with improved barrier, opacity, breathability, softness and comfort, PGI announced Jan. 19. A team of scientists, researchers and engineers will work on better performance for infection-control devices, hygiene products and protective apparel.
PGI of Charlotte expects the center to start late this year, said global marketing director Cliff Bridges.
PGI makes spun-welded medical and hygiene products in Suzhou. The facility is being expanded with new spun-melt machines due for commercial startup in mid-2011.
PGI's other research centers are in Mooresville, N.C.; San Luis Potosí, Mexico; and Cuijk, Netherlands.
“Having dedicated research centers and teams around the world fosters creativity, promotes collaboration and serves as a best-practice model for our company and customers,” Chief Operating Officer Mike Hale noted in a news release.
PGI operates 15 manufacturing and converting operations in nine countries.
Magna to produce new SMC blend in US
AURORA, ONTARIO — Auto supplier Magna International Inc. is adding to its capabilities in composites, introducing a proprietary sheet molding compound it plans to produce in the U.S. and Mexico.
Magna picked up two SMC sheet production lines in 2009 with its acquisition of Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. It previously had some composite compounding, but no facilities for full sheet production. At that time, executives said the firm wanted to diversify its offerings in materials, customers and locations.
Aurora-based Magna introduced its EpicBlendSMC line of sheet Feb. 9 at Composites 2010 in Las Vegas, showing some of its plans for expansion into new fields.
The material offers repeatable processing abilities in high volumes to help manufacturers reduce product weight, said Bob Brownlee, president of Magna Exteriors and Interiors, in a news release.
Magna can make up to 200 million pounds of SMC annually at sites in Grabill, Ind., and Saltillo, Mexico, and plans to sell the SMC sheet as well for the auto, commercial truck, consumer and industrial markets.
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