ABC acquires Michigan blow molder

ABC Group has completed the acquisition of all the assets of the Hynes blow molding operation of Lankfer Diversified Industries Inc., a supplier of plastic products to the automotive and industrial markets. The 115,000 sq. ft. facility is located in Grand Rapids, MI and will be operated under the new name of Undercar Products Group Inc. The plant currently manufactures washer reservoirs, HVAC ducts, bellows and interior components. ABC Group intends to expand the current product lines and also introduce air induction systems into the facility. ABC Group has more than 30 manufacturing plants located in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

New York bans plastic pipes

Governor George Pataki recently signed legislation that will prevent plastic pipe from being used in buildings larger than two units and in all commercial construction in the state of New York. The legislation, which essentially extends current codes which restrict the use of plastic pipe, was signed after heavy lobbying by labor unions. In signing the bill, Pataki reportedly ignored the advice of the state’s Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, which urged the state to adopt a variant of the plastics-friendly International Plumbing Code.

Action Colour bids adieu

The Masterbatches Division of Clariant (Canada) Inc. has purchased selected assets of Action Colour Concentrates of Oakville, ON. Action Colour was the in-house masterbatch supplier of the Mac Group, an injection molder of caps and closures for the packaging market.

In addition to supplying color concentrates for Mac products, Action Colour had a number of external clients, who will now be served by Clariant’s Mississauga, ON and Lachine, QC locations.

The Mac Group, which includes injection molding facilities in Montreal, Waterloo, QC and Oakville, has been a customer of Clariant for many years. “Now, with the acquisition of certain Action Colour assets, Clariant can provide seamless service to Mac and Action’s other masterbatch customers,” says Thomas Bernhardt, Clariant Masterbatches vice-president/general manager.

The Clariant purchase includes equipment, formulations and other business assets. Once Clariant’s new facility in Toronto is complete (expected in late summer 2002), three extrusion lines from Action’s Oakville operation will be moved to the new plant.

Clariant is a global specialty chemicals company, with divisions serving masterbatches and pigments, and additives markets.