Canadian Compounding Operations Get Capacity Boost

Concentrate and masterbatch producer Ampacet Corp. is investing heavily in the Canadian compounding operations it purchased last year from Baron Colour Concentrates Ltd. The Delta, B.C. plant is installing a 8-million lb./yr. compounding line, and a similar capacity Farrell continuous compounding line was installed at the Kitchener, Ont. facility earlier this year.

Both plants have increased staffing levels.

“We want to increase our presence on the West Coast, so we will likely continue to invest in the people and plant at Delta,” says Howard England, senior v-p, manufacturing for Ampacet. “The acquisition of Baron has added to our small-order capability because these operations have smaller lines, quick response and good service.”

Ampacet has been on a growth curve throughout the ’90s, increasing its capacity from 255 million lb. in 1990 to a 1999 level of 785 million lb.