News Briefs (September 01, 2007)

Machinery distributor Anplast Inc., Anjou, Que., has been appointed representative for all of Canada for Kawaguchi injection molding machines. Anplast has been the sub-representative for twenty years, providing sales and service for Kawaguchi in Quebec. Anplast, which currently has six employees, plans to set up sales and service organization in Ontario.

Capital investment firm 3i is making a significant investment with Georgetown, Ont.-based hot runner supplier Mold-Masters Ltd. to enable the Canadian company to further its international expansion in Europe, Asia and Latin America. According to Mold-Masters, the investment will also allow it to consider acquisition opportunities in the hot runner segment and beyond.

Sterling, Va.-based hot runner control supplier Gammaflux L.P. has announced that it will no longer sell its hot runner temperature controllers through Bolton, Ont.-based Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. The announcement comes nearly a month after Husky purchased the Manufacturing Solutions Division from Framingham, Mass.-based Moldflow Corporation. Gammaflux will continue to service all Husky accounts that are currently using a Gammaflux brand controller.

Chateauguay, Que.-based Salerno Plastics has been purchased by a five-partner management group, with an investment by the Solidarity Fund QFL and Capital regional et cooperatif Desjardins. The plastic bags, form, fill and seal products manufacturer was previously owned by Connecticut-based Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P., since 1997. Salerno Plastics was founded in Montreal in 1956, and employs more than 250 people. The company also has a plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and has doubled its sales volumes in the last four years.

Athol, Mass.-based measuring tools and equipment supplier L.S. Starrett Co. has acquired the assets of Kinemetric Engineering LLC, a Laguna Hills, Calif.-based measuring technology manufacturer, for US$2.3 million.

FD Plastiques Canada Corp. has acquired the assets of Lachine, Que.-based compounder C.E.K. Enterprises. FD Plastiques is a wholly owned subsidiary of F&D Plastics Inc., which is headquartered in Leominister, Mass. Germain Archambault, a current member of the F&D Plastics staff, will head the Canadian company.