Plastics News Show Daily - April 3, 2012 - (Page 37)

PLASTICS NEWS, April 3, 2012 • 37 Kautex reports sales, big-machine rebound By Michael Lauzon PLASTICS NEWS CORRESPONDENT After years of being in the doldrums, markets for big, accumulator-head blow molding machines have been making a resurgence, according to a major machinery supplier. Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH recorded sales of 96 million euros ($127.3 million at 2011 average exchange rate) last year, up from 74 million euros ($97 million) in 2010, estimated Bill Farrant, president of U.S.-based Kautex Machines Inc. (Booth 1751). Kautex recently registered a large single order for big blow molding machines from Suncast Corp. of Batavia, Ill., which is using them to make garden sheds, deck boxes and other large, flat panels. Suncast did not disclose the size of the investment. Farrant said it was a multimachine, multimillion-dollar order. Sources told Plastics News that the order was for between four and six machines. The order was an unusual one. More typical are rising shipments for vehicle gas tanks, especially in China and Asia, Farrant said in a pre-NPE phone interview from his office in North Branch, N.J. “Automotive is a big reason for the growth,” Farrant said. In 2011, automotive applications accounted for about half of Kautex’s global sales. Suncast has mainly been an injection molder of lawn and garden, storage, pet and snow-tool products. It contracted out blow molding of large parts but wanted to bring the work in-house “The project was a huge challenge, but we have a strong team spirit in Suncast and have built a group that has become passionate about the blow molding process and its potential,” said Mary Ann Mings, Suncast vice president of manufacturing, in a news release. “Suncast had a vision to embrace the full potential of the blow molding process for their products and recognized the advantages of the new technology system and Kautex equipment, which they are utilizing to great effect,” added Chuck Flammer, vice president of sales at Kautex Machines Inc. Farrant said Suncast bought KBS241 models specifically designed for flat panels. They were originally developed for auto parts. Clamping forces run up to 330 tons and the machines have extra-large mold platens, making new-product development easier. According to Kautex, the technology can help save high density polyethylene molding materials and cuts cycle times. Suncast took less than a year to complete installation of the Kautex machines after renovating a warehouse into a production shop. The private company was founded in 1984. Kautex Maschinenbau of Bonn, Germany, manufactures its machinery in Germany and China. US service aims to aid networking By Brandi Shaffer PLASTICS NEWS STAFF ORLANDO, FLA. — For plastics companies looking to make the leap into global networking, NPE2012 is the ideal opportunity. The U.S. Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce’s goal is to assist exhibitors with expanding their global clientele at the triennial trade show. James Yi, project officer for the U.S. Commercial Service, said sellers that are doing well in the U.S. will be likely candidates for expansion into the global marketplace and have high export potential. “With 85 percent of the world’s economic growth projected to occur outside of the U.S. over the next five years, NPE2012 offers a prime opportunity for U.S. plastics industry exhibitors to make those all-important, face-to-face business connections with prospective overseas buyers,” Yi said in a news release. The commercial service’s International Buyer Program assists in recruiting and bringing in foreign buyer delegations, and helps organize their plans before, during and after the show. DOC delegations from Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Thailand and more have been recruited to attend NPE. The IBP has brought 550 foreign buyers from 20 countries to NPE, Yi added. The U.S. Commercial Service will manage the International Trade Center located in Hall F of the West building of the Orange County Convention Center In Orlando. The service will also host a Global Matchmaking Reception in conjunction with SPI from 5:307:30 p.m. April 3. The gathering offers an opportunity to meet with commercial specialists and provides information about U.S. export services. The U.S. Commercial Service has a network of offices in 108 U.S. cities, with U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 70 countries.  http://nissei-asbus.com http://nissei-asbus.com http://www.nisseiasb.co.jp/en/ http://nissei-asbus.com

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Plastics News Show Daily - April 3, 2012

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