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ACQUISITIONS/MERGERS

ABB Automation Inc. has acquired Transphase Engineering Ltd., a privately held steam box manufacturer. Transphase, located in Vancouver, B.C., will be incorporated into ABB’s global Quality Control System business. ABB Automation Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, supplies a measurement and control solutions to the paper industry.

J.M. Huber Corp. and IMERYS, formerly IMETAL, have announced an agreement for the exchange of key business assets. Under the agreement, Huber will acquire Sandersville, Ga., plant No. 1 hydrous, Sandersville, Ga., plant No. 5 calciner, and the Wrens, Ga., plant, including both the hydrous and calciner operations. IMERYS will acquire from Faxe Paper Pigments-USA (FFP), a Huber affiliate, FFP’s 60% interest in a joint venture with English China Clay (ECC) that was formed to serve Sappi Fine Paper North America. J.M. Huber Corp. is a supplier of engineered materials, natural resources, and technology-based services, and IMERYS is a company specializing in the extraction, processing, and sale of industrial minerals and metals.

HydroChem Industrial Services Inc. has acquired Landry Service Co. Inc. (LANSCO). HydroChem provides industrial services, including hydroblasting, chemical cleaning, industrial vacuuming, and mechanical services. LANSCO provides tank cleaning services and specializes in on-site sludge removal and processing services for above ground storage tanks.

As part of its ongoing concentration on its core sectors of automotive, electronics, and defense, Rheinmetall has transferred 68.4% of Jagenberg AG’s voting common stock in Jagenberg, to Zwickau-based Sachsenring Automobiltechnik AG. Under the new management, Jagenberg AG will develop its worldwide position in the specialty machinery market. Also in context of the transfer, Jagenberg AG will sell its packaging technology division to IWKA Aktiengesellschaft, Karlsruhe, Germany.

AES Engineered Systems has acquired ArcLine Products Inc. Sales and service for the combined product line will be conducted by the AES Engineered Systems worldwide sales force.

IMS Group Inc., a provider of industrial plant maintenance, repair, and operation products and services, has acquired C&S Inc. The Mulberry, Fla.-based company specializes in the maintenance, fabrication/construction, condition monitoring, and repair of fluid storage tanks, product piping systems, and other plant equipment. IMS continues to be headquartered in St. Charles, Ill.

GE Energy Services has acquired J.W. Harley Inc. (Harley), a privately-owned company in Twinsburg, Ohio. Harley manufactures real-time monitoring and diagnostics systems for power transformers and high-voltage circuit breakers.

Aggreko, a supplier of temporary utility rental services, acquired its agent, L&S Industries Inc. The agent acquisition is designed to transform L&S Industries into an Aggreko equipment rental depot and allow Aggreko to provide expanded technician services through its support services division.

 

JOINT VENTURES

Cristini Group, the largest Italian producer of machine clothing, has formed a partnership with Mafinsa, which produces a full line of press and dryer fabrics for various applications. The partnership, already effective, is part of the strategic expansion of the two companies to compete in the global market.

Primavera Systems, a developer of integrated, scalable, project management software solutions, has announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with james martin + co (jm+co), an IT consulting firm. Primavera will market and sell the jm+co methodologies with Primavera TeamPlay, the company’s new process and project management software suite.

CSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Engineers & Constructors that specializes in consulting and systems integration services, has launched a new alliance program for software technology providers, control systems providers, and other suppliers of components related to manufacturing and supply chain systems. CSI’s goal is to develop world class solutions for clients by implementing commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) components and applying industry best practices. In addition, CSI and Camstar Systems Inc., a developer of MES software, have formed a strategic partnership wherein CSI will provide integration services to clients using Camstar's InSite. Also, CSI and Compex have formed a strategic alliance to deliver LIMS and MES solutions wherein CSI will act as integrator for Compex’s Unilab 4 and proCX software products. In another new strategic partnership, CSI will use its MES implementation expertise to implement Intellution’s Dynamics software. A further new strategic partnership combines CSI’s business process optimization expertise with SynQuest’s integrated supply chain management software.

 

RELOCATIONS

Hercules Inc.’s laboratory model papermaking system has been relocated from Kalamazoo, Mich., to the Pulp and Paper Div.’s Jacksonville, Fla., facility. The equipment and its supporting technologies, which have been integrated with the existing applications laboratory and pilot stock preparation system in Jacksonville, are now fully operational. This facility’s pilot papermaking machine features a film transfer size press that permits the application of surface additives to paper sheets completely independent of wet end chemistry. Headquartered in Wilmington, Del., Hercules Inc. is a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals.

 

NEW FACILITIES

Air Products Polymers L.P., a joint venture of Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and Wacker-Chemie GmbH, has announced its intent to build a world-scale vinyl acetate-ethylene emulsions facility in Brazil. The new plant is targeted to start up in 2003.

Saiden Technologies, a manufacturer of advanced specialty polymers, adhesives, and coatings, will begin construction of a new emulsion polymerization and multi-capability compounding facility this month. The new plant, located in Lee County, N.C., will include production, warehouse, and office space, and a research and development lab.

 

EXPANSIONS/MODERNIZATION

Harrington Hoists, a supplier of electric, air, and manual chain hoists, trolleys, lever pullers, cranes, and accessory products, has begun construction of a plant expansion in Manheim, Pa. The expansion will double the size of its current facility from 36,600 ft2 to 73,200 ft2 to support sales increases and provide for future growth. The larger facility will help Harrington introduce a number of new hoists, cranes, and material handling products. The plant expansion is expected to be complete in August 2000.

Birmingham, Ala.-based Motion Industries has opened new branches in Juarez, Mexico, and Thomasville, Ga. Motion Industries is a distributor of bearings, mechanical, electrical, and fluid power transmission equipment replacement parts, and hose products.

 

REORGANIZATIONS

Eka Chemicals, a supplier of performance chemicals for the paper machine, has announced the formation of the Papermaking Technologies Group, whose purpose is to bring the latest service technology to the customer. The intent is to improve the in-depth transfer of technology and bring consistency to the service the company provides. Eka Chemicals is a wholly owned business unit of Akzo Nobel, and is headquartered in Marietta, Ga.

Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America Inc. has announced that it will consolidate all functions of its capital equipment business to the Appleton, Wis., facility. Employees of the Board/Packaging and Finishing Divisions will be transferred from Middletown, Ohio, over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition of operations. As a result of this decision, construction will start immediately on an office expansion for the Appleton facility.

Harnischfeger Industries Inc. has announced that Beloit Corp., the sole North American-based producer of pulp and paper machinery, is rescaling its paper machinery group to include only the aftermarket business and portions of the tissue business.

Exel Logistics, a provider of logistics services, has announced a strategic reorganization designed to represent a step in the company’s implementation of its global strategy. The company has created a global structure around its five market sectors: automotive, chemical, consumer, electronics, and retail.

 

NAME CHANGES

Butterworth Jetting Systems Inc., a manufacturer of water-jetting equipment and plunger pumps, has changed its name to Gardner Denver Water Jetting Systems Inc. This announcement follows Butterworth’s acquisition of Gardner Denver in April 1999.

 

CERTIFICATIONS

Wall Colmonoy Corp. has received ISO:9001:1994 with AS-9000:1998 registration. Wall Colmonoy Corp. manufactures nickel-base hard-surfacing alloys and brazing filler metals.

 

TECHNOLOGY

Nash Engineering’s new Premier 2000 liquid ring vacuum pump line has resulted in the awarding of two patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The first patent was for the unique cone angle design that results in significant radial and axial seal water velocity. The second patent was for the overall pump exterior design, which provides 45º angled inlets, side discharges, cartridge bearing housings, and a solid stainless steel body.

 

NEW FACILITIES

IMS Group, a supplier of industrial plant maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services, has opened a new facility in Kansas City, Mo., for customers in the Midwest. The facility provides access to IMS Group’s industrial products, engineering support, and equipment repair services.

 

PRICING

The Emulsion Polymers business of The Dow Chemical Co. is increasing the selling price of paper styrene/butadiene (S/B) latex and solid plastic pigment products by US$0.03/lb (dry) in the U.S. and Canada. The company cites increased costs for styrene and butadiene monomers, as reasons for the increase.

 

MARKETING/LICENSING

FESTech Software Solutions and Werner Electric Supply have announced the automation and electrical distributor’s membership in FESTech’s affiliate program. As part of its membership, Werner will provide exclusive representation of FESTech products and services in areas they serve in Wisconsin and northern Michigan.

To have an announcement or press release considered for publication in Supplier News send the release or notice to Pulp & Paper magazine, 525 Market Street, Ste. 500, San Francisco, Calif., 94105; fax: (415) 278-5389. To have an announcement or press release considered for publication in Supplier News send the release or notice to Pulp &Paper Magazine, 525 Market Street, Ste. 500, San Francisco, Calif., 94105; fax: (415) 278-5389