MTD factory in Miss. will injection mold
CLEVELAND — Lawn and garden equipment maker MTD Products Inc. is investing $6.25 million into a second plant in Tupelo, Miss., which will include injection molding.
The Cleveland-based firm did not release any details on its plastics plans in Mississippi, but MTD said in a March 2 news release from the Mississippi Development Authority that it would create 107 jobs. The site also will be used to introduce a new lawn mower platform, the company said.
MTD makes lawn equipment under a variety of brand names including Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and Yard Man. The new, 525,000-square-foot facility is owned by Lee County and is adjacent to an existing MTD operation.
Key buy boosts European auto work
NORTHVILLE, MICH. — Key Plastics LLC has picked up “certain business and assets” of German molder Paulmann & Crone GmbH to boost its capabilities in in-mold decorating. The deal gives Key more business with automakers Volkswagen and BMW in Europe and improves efficiency at its plants in Germany.
Northville-based auto supplier Key will consolidate the Paulmann & Crone operations into its facilities in Kierspe and Lennestadt, Germany, during the next two months, the company said in a March 3 news release. The combination will increase utilization at those plants to more than 90 percent.
Paulmann & Crone of Ludenscheid, Germany, entered insolvency in early 2009. By September, its production problems were close to impacting its customers. Key said it stepped in and worked with the firm's two largest customers to structure a transaction that relocated tools and machinery to Key sites.
The company did not disclose a purchase price for the assets, although Key CEO Terry Gohl called it a “nominal expense” to his company. Paulmann & Crone posted annual sales of about $30 million in 2009.
Celgard ups battery film output in Korea
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lithium-ion battery membrane maker Celgard LLC is investing $30 million to expand production in South Korea.
Celgard, of Charlotte, makes polyethylene and polypropylene microporous films used at the center of lithium-ion batteries. Its facility in Ochang, South Korea, makes films used in consumer electronics. The additional production is expected to begin in the second half of this year.
The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Polypore International Inc., also announced earlier this year it was building a new plant in Concord, N.C., to make films for the growing electric and hybrid vehicle market.
Thermoformer Mayfield adds Maac line
SUTTON, MASS. — Mayfield Plastics Inc. is adding a Maac single-station thermoforming machine this month to boost its efficiency and speed up its cycle times.
“We are constantly updating our machinery,” said Ronald Cross, president of Sutton-based Mayfield Plastics.
The 48-inch by 60-inch Maac 54S has a programmable logic controller with 10 automatic forming techniques for repeatability, unlimited storage files and top and bottom quartz ovens.
“We are heavily involved in the thermoformed medical-device market and will continue to invest in state-of-the-art equipment to remain a leader in our market,” said Cross.
Mayfield supplies the medical, industrial and electrical markets. It makes thermoformed panels, medical devices, covers, bezels, radomes and enclosures.
Its 60,000-square-foot facility in Sutton operates eight thermoforming machines for making parts up to 72 inches by 90 inches by 30 inches in size.
Jackson Plastics Inc. shuts down plant
NICHOLASVILLE, KY. — Auto supplier Jackson Plastics Inc. has made it official and told the state of Kentucky that it will close its only plant, in Nicholasville.
Local reports had stated that executives for the injection molder told workers of the pending closure previously, but the company filed its notice warning it would shut down March 2, affecting 96 employees.
Nicholasville-based Jackson listed $8.1 million in sales for 2008. It opened in 1994 and has made plastic trim for Toyota.
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