Global Tooling News for the Month Ending September 30, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Huhtamaki to Focus Operations in Asia and Oceania
  Huhtamaki extends its ongoing restructuring program to Asia and Oceania and addresses growth opportunities in southern China. The company will relocate a rigid packaging facility from Hong Kong to South China. Further, the operations of a rigid packaging facility in Australia will be consolidated to another existing site.

• Plastone Opens Molding Facility in Estonia
  The Finnish contract manufacturer Plastone Oy's subsidiary Plastone OÜ has established a 2100 square meter factory in Saue, 20 km south of Tallinn, in Estonia. The official opening of the plant was celebrated on September 8th.

• Polimoon Establishes E55m Acquisition Facility
  Oslo, Norway-based Polimoon AS has established a 450 million NOK acquisition facility with DNB NOR and Norddeutche Landesbank. It is a two year loan facility which can be extended for another twelve months if needed, according to the company. The facility is earmarked to fund acquisitions within packaging and components.

• Metaltrax Sells Injection Molding Company
  Metaltrax Group PLC announced last week that that it has sold the trade and assets of MRX Plastic Moulders, its plastic products and precision injection molding business based in Burnley, Lancashire, for an undisclosed sum.

• Rexam Completes U.S. Plastic Packaging Acquisition
  Rexam, the global consumer packaging group and the world's leading beverage can maker, announced on September 22 that, having received regulatory approval, it has completed the acquisition of Delta Plastics Inc, a U.S.-based plastic packaging business, which was announced on September 6th.

• Superfos Pharma Strengthens its Production Platform
  Superfos Pharma says the integration of the production facilities in Haarby into the total production plant has been successful and the company “is now ready to further secure the competitive platform.”

Industry News

• Chinaplas 2006 Booking Up Fast
  Chinaplas 2006 (also known as The 20th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industry) will be held on April 26-29, 2006 at Shanghai New International Expo Center, Pudong, Shanghai, PR China. It is widely recognized as the most influential trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries in Asia and is the must-attend event for industries professionals.

• New Tetra Pak CEO Appointed
  The Tetra Laval Group Board has appointed Dennis Jönsson President & CEO of Tetra Pak effective January 1, 2006. This appointment follows the decision by Nick Shreiber to retire from his position by the end of 2005, after 18 years in the company and five years as President and CEO.

• Volkswagen Considers Major Labor Cuts
  Despite rising sales, the Volkswagen Group still has overcapacity.

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending August 26, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Webster Plastics Wins Manufacturing Excellence Award
  Fairport, NY-based Webster Plastics, a leading custom injection molder, has garnered the first Manufacturing Excellence Award ever issued from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). Going forward, the award will be presented annually to a company anywhere in the world that demonstrates the most progress in increasing efficiency, customer service and continuous improvement across the enterprise. Webster Plastics will receive the award at the upcoming AME 2005 Conference in Boston, MA.

• RPC’s Pearlescent Finish Adds to Colour Range Appeal
  The latest generation of packs for Avon’s top selling Colour range of cosmetics for the European market are being produced by RPC Cresstale.

• RPC’s PET Jar Enhances Produce Availability
  The choice of a PET jar from RPC Containers has helped Jampol, a Polish producer of dried mushrooms, to deliver a modern packaging solution that enables consumers worldwide to enjoy forest-fresh produce throughout the whole year rather than only on holidays.

• Nolato Continues its Expansion in Asia
  Nolato Telecom, which is a business area of Stockholm-based Nolato Group, is continuing its successful investment in Asia with another expansion of its plant capacity for mould production and painting in China as well as a start-up of manufacturing operations in Malaysia.

• Carlisle Companies Sells Assets of Automotive Business
  Carlisle Companies Incorporated announced last week that the Company has sold substantially all of the operations of its automotive business on August 17, 2005, to The Reserve Group of Akron, Ohio.

• Crown to Sell Its Plastic Closures Business
  Crown Holdings, Inc. announced last week that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Global Plastic Closures business to funds managed or advised by PAI partners, a leading European private equity firm, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately US $750 million, which includes the assumption of certain liabilities.

• Superfos Plans Growth in East Europe
  As part of a focused growth strategy, Superfos is now building a large new factory in Poland where the packaging manufacturer already has a smaller production plant.

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending July 29, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Profine Molds™ Launches Phase One of Global Expansion
  With demands from the plastics industry for mold makers to provide better technology, faster deliveries and local reliable service, Profine Molds is expanding into specific global markets to better support its growing customer base. A multi-phase plan with timelines has been developed through 2007 that will see the company’s presence expand in North America, Asia, South America and Latin America.

• Accellent Receives ISO 13485:2003 Certification
  Accellent Inc., a medical device company offering integrated contract manufacture and design to the medical device industry, has received company-wide certification to ISO 13485:2003. ISO 13485:2003 is the certification standard specifically for the medical device industry. Achievement of ISO certification marks a corporate commitment to quality in the design and manufacture of medical devices that spans all levels in an organization.

• Foboha Completes Largest Single Project With 8 Stack-turning Molds
  Foboha GmbH Formenbau in Germany, was able to complete one of the largest projects with 8 stack-turning molds for a customer who is one of the world's leading companies in the consumer goods industry. The 32-cavity molds are the largest cube molds ever built, with dimensions of 1,200 mm horizontal and 960 mm vertical and an installation height of 1,600 mm.

• Sarna sells Paulmann & Crone to German Bavaria Industriekapital AG
  The Sarna Group, which specializes in the processing and application of polymers for the construction and automotive industries, has sold its subsidiary Sarnamotive Paulmann & Crone to German Bavaria Industriekapital AG. The selling price was not disclosed.
  

Blow Mould Tooling

• SIG Corpoplast Delivers 106 Molds for ABI / South Africa
  SIG Corpoplast recently delivered 106 molds to South Africa’s bottler Amalgamated Beverage Industries, the soft drink division of SAB Ltd (ABI), which distributes the majority of the Coca-Cola brand soft drinks in South Africa.

• Printed Sleeves Improve Shelf Appeal of Soft Drinks
  Chesapeake Corporation recently added capability to apply printed plastic label sleeves to PET bottles of various shapes and sizes to enhance the graphics and shelf appeal of premium soft drinks.
   

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending June 24, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Kitterman Plastics and the Molding Company Announce Merger
  Kitterman Plastics and The Molding Company (TMC) announced the merger of their two companies on June 15. The combination will create a dynamic partnership and a premier plastics molding company.

• Siemens and BenQ to forge partnership
  The Taiwan-based BenQ Group, which produces mobile phones in addition to other consumer electronic products like digital cameras, scanners and LCD screens, will acquire Siemens’ entire mobile phone business with more than 6,000 employees worldwide. The business will be headquartered in Munich. The closing of the deal is expected in the fourth quarter of Siemens’ fiscal year 2005.

• International Safety Instruments is Acquired
  Avon Rubber p.l.c. announced this week that it has acquired International Safety Instruments, Inc (ISI), a leading manufacturer of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) based in Georgia, USA for a total consideration of up to $22.7 million.

• Inclosia Signs EXO Technology Licensing Agreement with Mosen
  Inclosia™ Solutions**, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company and developer of innovative enclosure technologies, announced a signed licensing agreement with Korea's Mosen Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of precision and aesthetic injection molding for telecom application parts such as keypads, covers and film insert molding.

• DENTSPLY International Acquires Glenroe Technologies, Inc.
  DENTSPLY International Inc. announced that it has acquired Glenroe Technologies. Glenroe Technologies is a manufacturer of orthodontic accessory products including elastic force materials, specialty plastics, and intricate molded plastic parts, including NEOCLIPS, a new product used with DENTSPLY's newly launched Interactive MYSTIQUE bracket (the world's first low friction translucent ceramic bracket).

• United Plastics Group Expands Operations in China
  Richard Harris, United Plastics Group Inc.’s (UPG) chief operating officer said last week that the company will invest over $10 million (USD) to build a new, full-service custom manufacturing facility in the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, China.
   

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending May 27, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Tangent Acquires Impress, Doubles in Size
  U.K.-based injection molder Tangent Plastics has acquired the assets of Witham-based moulder Impress, nearly doubling the size of the company. The transaction details were not disclosed.

• NP Medical acquires a line of Intravenous Filtration Products
  NP Medical Inc., a wholly-owned company of Nypro Inc., today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire a complete line of IV filtration products from Millipore Corporation.

• Key Plastics Forms Joint Venture in China
  Northville, MI-based Key Plastics L.L.C., a global leader in automotive plastic components and assemblies, announced the formation of a new joint venture with Jiehua Automotive Trim Development Center, Shanghai, PRC.

• ARRK to Acquire Automotive Tooling Business of ATS BV
  ARRK Product Development Group has continued to invest significantly in its Tooling service capabilities in Europe following the purchase of ATS BV and the German companies belonging to the group from the Archand Capital Investments S.a.r.l. The acquisition is subject to approval by German Cartel authorities.

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending April 29, 2005

Injection Mould Tooling

• Vitttel and Aquarel European Brands to Adopt the New Thumb’Up;
   Flip Top Closure from Bericap
  In 2005, Vittel water brand launches its new Vitalitos water range in 33cl bottle using the Thumb’ Up®.

• Ten Cate Plasticum Develops New Technology for Custom Shaped
  Injection Moulded Squeeze Tubes
  Dutch manufacturer Ten Cate Plasticum develops a new technology to manufacture squeeze tubes by injection moulding, using a unique patented material formulation and applying innovative tooling techniques. This makes it possible to materialise almost any shape or design you can dream of – square, oval, triangular, etc. – and to incorporate unique features such as (partly-) textured surfaces and embossing, making the tube stand out on the shelf and matching it with the identity of sister products.

• Superfos: Breaking Glass Traditions
  Food and non-food marketers are presented with a unique alternative to traditional glass jars with a new packaging design from Denmark-based packaging manufacturer Superfos. 

• MetriCap Closures: A World First in the Dispensing of Semi-Solids
  Squeezing a tube of ointment may sound simple enough but we all know how wrong things can go. Squeeze too hard and the sticky paste spirals out like a snake. We use a small dot and the rest goes down the drain. It's easy to be meticulous about measuring out liquid, but when it comes to semi-solids, the task is trickier.   

• Tetra Pak Delta Twistcap: First In A New Generation Of Direct Injection Moulded Closures For Gable-Top Cartons     
  Convenience is key in consumers’ choice between carton packages. They accept nothing less today than packages that are safe, easy to use, and with an inherent attractiveness that brings a smile to both consumers and producers.

Injection Mould Tooling

• Gram Technology Inc. expands US Operation
  Hermann Plank has joined Gram Technology’s U.S. team as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He comes to Gram from Tech Group, Inc. and began his new post on March 14.

• O-I Appoints Chief Financial Officer
  Owens-Illinois, Inc., announced that Edward C. White has been named chief financial officer, succeeding Thomas L. Young.

• Pactiv Buys Newspring Industrial Corp.
  Lake Forest, IL-based Pactiv Corporation announced the purchase of Newspring Industrial Corp., a leading manufacturer of thin wall injection molded polypropylene products for use in the take-out, delicatessen, and foodservice markets based in Kearny, NJ. The purchase price was approximately six times 2004 EBITDA. Newspring sales in 2004 were approximately $60 million. The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to 2005 earnings. Assets acquired include three manufacturing facilities.

• RPC Pails Are A Plumb Fit & Soup to Go Ribbed Cups Keep Hands Safe
  Leading plumbing supplies company Pulsar Direct has found injection moulded pails from RPC Containers Oakham to be ideal for its handy Pulsar Trade Tubs range.

• Airspray Dispensing Technology Attracts Leading Hair Care Manufacturers
  Airspray’s instant-foam dispensing technology continues to win converts among the world’s leading hair care product makers, as the company announced two new 2005 product launches by Unilever and Procter & Gamble, for their Sunsilk Blow-Drying Aid Mousse and Pantene Pro-V Blonde Expressions brands, respectively.

• Kerry Foods Spreads the Good News for RPC Hereford
  Speed to market, technical expertise and advanced decoration facilities are three key criteria that have helped RPC Containers Hereford secure a major supply deal with Kerry Foods to produce polypropylene tubs for the company’s ranges of dairy spreads. In total the order involves around 100 different products.

• Perlos Becomes Majority Shareholder in a Mould Manufacturing Company in China
  Perlos Corporation signed an agreement for buying a majority share of the business of a mould manufacturer CIM group in China earlier this month. This was done by acquiring 75% of CIM Precision Molds (HK) Limited in Hong Kong, and of a subsidiary of that, which is located in Shenzhen in Southern China. As part of the transaction, the business and fixed assets of CIM group's other Chinese subsidiary in Dongguan will be transferred to the acquired Shenzhen company.

Injection Mould Tooling

• Bramlage Expertise Supports Breakthrough of the TASSIMO
  Beverage System
  RPC Bramlage’s injection moulding expertise has been instrumental in the development of the T-DISC, the unique brewing device used with Kraft Foods’ revolutionary TASSIMO beverage system.

• AptarGroup to Acquire Swiss Packaging Firm
  AptarGroup, Inc. announced an agreement to acquire EP Spray System SA, a Swiss company that owns proprietary dispensing packaging technology. EP manufactures aerosol valves with bag-on-valve technology. This technology physically separates the propellant from the product to be dispensed. It offers improved integrity of the product content, prevents expulsion of the propellant into the atmosphere and allows spraying of the product in any position.

• Owens-Illinois Announces General Manager of China
  Owens-Illinois, Inc. announced this week that Li Qing has been named general manager of China, effective March 1. In this role, Mr. Qing will focus on key global priorities in the areas of purchasing infrastructure; machinery and mold production development; plastics strategy; merger and acquisition studies and potential negotiations; glass
  business growth-strategy development; and market, government and joint venture partner relationship development.

• Automotive Plastics Conference Set for June
  "TPOs in Automotive,” a conference on automotive plastics, will be held 21 – 23 June 2005 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland.

Injection Mould Tooling

• ASEAN Plastics Technology Showcase to Highlight Solutions for Success
  ASEANPLAS incorporating ASEANRUBBER 2005, Southeast Asia’s leading international trade fair for plastics and rubber, will be staged at the Singapore Expo from 26 to 29 April 2005 with an added bonus in store for trade visitors and exhibitors.

• Perlos Starts Statutory Negotiations For Lay-Offs at the Lehmonharju Plant in Kontiolahti
  Last week, Perlos announced that it will start statutory negotiations for lay-offs at the Lehmonharju plant to adjust the number of personnel due to a weakened first quarter outlook. The negotiations for lay-offs concern a maximum of 200 people, and apply to all workers in production. It is anticipated that the layoffs will last for 90 days at most.

• Alcan To Invest US$55 Million In Growing Russian Packaging Market
  Montreal, Canada-based Alcan Inc. announced that it is investing US$55 million in the Russian packaging market, to build and equip two new plants located in the Moscow and St. Petersburg regions. The Moscow site will focus on flexible packaging for the confectionery and dairy markets and the St. Petersburg site will be dedicated to tobacco packaging. These projects are a part of Alcan Packaging’s strategy to develop its geographic footprint in growing economies.

• Impress acquires PAK
  Impress Group B.V. announced this week that it has acquired the share capital of PAK Sp. z o.o, a leading metal packaging company in Poland with two factories and sales of approximately 60 million zlotych (14 million euros), based in Katy in southern Poland, near Krakow.

Injection Mould Tooling

• DBI Plastics Achieves ISO/TS 16949 Quality Certification
  DBI Plastics A/S of Stenlille, Denmark, reports that it has become the world's first manufacturer of standard protective caps and plugs to achieve quality certification to ISO/TS 16949:2002, the highest quality standard for the automotive industry.

• Amcor’s New Diameter 33mm Plasti-Twist Closure a
  Success for Sunnyland
  Amcor White Cap launched its 33mm Plasti-Twist closure in the summer of 2004. Sunnyland Belgium, a leading European juices producer, has chosen the new diameter for many of its hot fill juices and juice based products, to complement new PET containers produced in-house.

• Smiths Group to Acquire Medex
  Smiths Group announced earlier this month that it has agreed to acquire the privately-held US medical device company, Medex, Inc, in a transaction which will greatly enhance the presence of Smiths Medical in the US and international markets for devices used in critical care.

• Alcan Proposes Restructuring at Nine European Sites
  Montreal, Canada-based Alcan Inc. announced that it has begun consultations with employee representatives on a proposed restructuring involving nine of its European sites. This intended measure is a result of changing market conditions and business realities.

• Crown Increases Beverage Can Capacity Across the Middle East
  Crown Holdings, Inc., a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world, announced that its affiliate, CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East, in conjunction with its long-standing regional partner, Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers, will substantially increase beverage can production capacity in the Middle East.

• Rexam to Provide Technical Support in India
  Rexam, the global consumer packaging group and the world's leading beverage can supplier, has signed Heads of Agreement with Paragon Global Industries covering the provision of technical support for a new two-piece aluminum beverage can manufacturing plant to be built in Mumbai, India.  

Injection Mould Tooling

• Scholle Purchases French Packaging Innovator Flextainer SA
  Scholle Corporation has announced that it has acquired 100% of the shares of Flextainer SA, a French packaging company.

• Nypro Builds New Plant in Brazil
  Nypro Inc. announced that it has built a new plastics contract manufacturing facility in the Manaus Tax Free Zone Industrial Park, Brazil.

• Huhtamaki Launches BioWare
  A worldwide manufacturer of consumer packaging, Huhtamaki recently introduced BioWare, a complete range of single-use cold drink cups, plates, containers and cutlery, all based on renewable raw materials and compostable after use.

• Nypro to Offer Metals-to-Plastics Convergence
  Nypro Inc. announced that it will open its first metals-to-plastics processing and contract manufacturing operation in Wuxi, China early next year. The new facility will be the first of several such plants strategically located around the world to serve Nypro customers needing to combine plastics with metals in high volume production. Precision technical metal components assembled to plastic and cosmetic metal covers are expected to be the first applications.

Injection Mould Tooling

• Rexam to Restructure Plastic Containers Nordic Operation
  Rexam, the global consumer packaging company, recently announced that it has started negotiations with union representatives regarding the proposed closure of its Plastic Containers plant at Ystad in southern Sweden.

• Visteon Plans New Manufacturing Facility in Slovakia
  Visteon Corporation announced earlier this month that it has committed to investing in a new manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia, to support new business with Kia and PSA Peugeot Citroën.

• Pyramids Are a Highlight of the Packaging World
  Leading cosmetics company Schwarzkopf & Henkel is using distinctive pyramid-shaped creme jars from RPC Bramlage for the re-launch of a product in the Gliss Kur haircare brand.

• IDC Develops World’s First Aseptic Gravity Flow Valve
  International Dispensing Corporation (IDC), creator and manufacturer of packaging and dispensing solutions for the food and pharmaceutical industries, has commercialized the world’s only aseptic gravity flow valve (GFV).

Injection Mould Tooling

• Betts appoints Nypro Inc. as its Strategic Manufacturing and Development Partner for Specialty Plastics Globally

  Betts UK, part of the global Betts Group of specialist packaging companies, has announced the appointment of Nypro Inc. as its Strategic Manufacturing and Development Partner for its specialty plastics business globally. With headquarters in Clinton, Massachusetts, Nypro Inc. is one of the world’s largest dedicated precision plastics solutions businesses for the pharmaceutical, personal care, household and consumer goods markets.

• MPM Moves to Robotic Production
  Merit Plastic Mouldings, Ltd. (MPM), based in Diss, Norfolk in the U.K., has won an extended contract with its number one customer, giving it the impetus to invest in a new moulding machine, and - for the first time - move to robotic production.

• MG suspends sale of Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH
  Frankfurt am Main-based MG Technologies AG has suspended its sale of Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH (DNK) to the U.S. automotive supplier Flex-N-Gate, which is headquartered in Urbana, Illinois.

• Faurecia opens New Development Center in Japan
  Chairman & CEO Pierre Lévi and the Executive Committee of Faurecia, a leading global automotive equipment supplier, inaugurated the company’s new Japan Development Center in Shin-Yokohama on September 7th. This Development Center is expected to house approximately 100 people in the near future, and will unite all of Faurecia's activities under one roof: seats, interiors systems, front end and exhaust systems.

• K 2004 in Düsseldorf –
  international participation on the rise once again
  Some 2,900 companies from 53 countries will take the
  floor in October.

• First Ever Smart Packaging Provides Intelligent Solutions
  Smart Packaging 2004, the conference and exhibition for hearing, seeing, learning and networking with the world's leading authorities on smart and intelligent packaging applications and solutions, took place Sept. 8-9 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, USA. Over 300 people attended the event, to listen to nearly 30 industry experts and to view the exhibition of world-leading suppliers.

• PHARMtechexpo 2005 Set for February in Prague
  The second PHARMtechexpo exhibition and conference takes place at the Veletrzni Palac in Prague, Czech Republic from 9-10 February 2005. The exhibition is unique in the region because of its focus on technology and solutions required by companies in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending August 27, 2004

• Eppendorf expands manufacturing in the U.S.

  The Eppendorf AG is going to establish a new production site in the U.S. in order to supply its laboratory products at the point of demand. The company reports on setting up a manufacturing facility in Enfield, CT. Eppendorf will upgrade the existing buildings and start the production of plastic consumables until the end of 2004.

• UFE Inc. Achieves Automotive Quality Registration

  UFE Incorporated has been issued an ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certificate of Registration by Underwriters Laboratory for all of UFE’s North American Injection Molding and Contract Assembly facilities. This achievement confirms that UFE facilities continue to meet the highest quality system requirements of automobile manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia.

• Yorkshire Moulds Acquired by HIG Holding

  Industrial-focused middle market private equity firm, HIG Holding Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of Yorkshire Moulds UK Ltd., a company specializing in the manufacture of polycarbonate moulds and a bespoke injection moulder experienced in the use of difficult materials.

Global Tooling News for the Month Ending July 31, 2004

• Alcoa Opens Second Plant in China to Produce Plastic Closures for Beverage Industry

  Alcoa recently announced that its Closure Systems International (CSI) business completed construction of a new plant in Hangzhou, China, south of Shanghai. The new 8,125 square meter plant produces plastic closures primarily for export to beverage producers in Japan. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently with local dignitaries, customers and suppliers. Alcoa CSI also has a plant in Tianjin.

• Tech Group Mexico Expands as Production Needs Grow

  In an effort to respond to the needs of its customers, The Tech Group recently announced the expansion of their Tech Group Mexico facility located in Guadalajara.

Blow Mould Tooling

• O-I Restructuring Blow-Moulding Business

  Owens-Illinois has announced that it will sell part of its blow Moulding businesses. The announcement came via the company’s second quarter earnings report.

Die Cast Tooling

• Still Time to Register for Aluminum 2004

  The Fifth Annual ALUMINUM 2004 Conference will be held in Essen, Germany, on 22 - 24 Sep, 2004. The exhibition provides an overview about the entire aluminum industry. It is the international platform for suppliers of raw material, semi-finished and finished products, surface treatment and producers of machinery, plant and equipment for aluminum processing and manufacturing.