In a move to revitalize the operations of defunct plastic fuel can molder Blitz USA Inc., Toronto blow molder Scepter Holdings Inc. has bought Blitz assets, including the land, buildings, and machinery in Miami, Okla., for an undisclosed amount.
“Our immediate goal is to try to address the current void in the portable fuel container market place brought about by the forced bankruptcy of Blitz,” Scepter president Robert Torokvei said in a press release.
According to Scepter, the company wants to build a viable export business based in the Miami location and to broaden the operation’s product line to use its excess capacity and technology. We want a presence in the U.S. and Miami is centrally located with an excellent work force,” Torokvei said. “It will take time to reorganize, build new moulds using Scepter's current portable fuel container designs, hire and train staff, and introduce similar quality assurance procedures as those in operation at Scepter Corporation; but we hope to be up and running in early 2013. We look forward to being part of the community in Miami."
Blitz closed its doors in July after declaring bankruptcy.
The Miami business will run as a separate entity under the Scepter Manufacturing LLC name.
In its press release, Scepter claimed to be a major producer of fuel cans for the retail market and says it is the sole supplier of portable fuel containers to the U.S. military. It also said its supplies 90 per cent of the international OEM market for remote portable outboard engine fuel tanks.