Shifts in Canadian Auxiliary Sector Continue

The landscape of Canada’s plastics auxiliary equipment industry is altering yet again.

Following in the wake of numerous new consolidations and partnerships, Pittsburgh, Pa.-based supplier Conair recently announced that it had teamed up with Mississauga, Ont.-based Hamilton Avtec Inc.

“This is an important step for us to better meet the requirements of Canadian processors,” said Chris Kelly, Conair president.

Hamilton Avtec said that it would stock popular models of Conair equipment at its Mississauga manufacturing facility, allowing for the faster delivery of equipment that is customized to the special requirements of Canadian processors.

“This move is in line with our 40 year commitment to the Canadian plastics industry,” said Hamilton Avtec president Richard Hamilton. “Shifting to Conair equipment means we now have the full breadth of auxiliaries available.”

The new team will begin serving customers this month, and Hamilton Avtec’s staff of 25 will continue to deliver localized, specialized support.

Meanwhile, another auxiliary equipment supplier based in Pennsylvania, Maguire Products Inc., announced the establishment a new Canadian subsidiary called Maguire Canada. The company also appointed Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.-based Barway Plastic Equipment Inc. as its agent for Quebec, Eastern Ontario and the Maritime Provinces.

Maguire Canada will supply the entire range of Maguire and Novatec plastics auxiliary equipment and provide engineering service, the company said.

The new operation will be headquartered in a 10,000 square foot service centre and warehouse in Vaughan, Ont.

Key members of Maguire Canada’s staff will include Brian Davis, general manager; Robert Hodge, senior technical sales manager; and Wayne Travell, service manager.

The creation of Maguire Canada comes on the heels of Wittmann Canada’s purchase of the M-Tek blending and material handling line from Scarborough, Ont.-based Mould-tek Industries Inc. in June; and the acquisition by Husky Injection Molding Systems, of Bolton, Ont., of the Manufacturing Solutions division of Farmington, Mass.-based Moldflow Corporation for $7 million.

And in another related development, Plastics Machinery Inc. (PMI) will now represent East Windsor, Conn.-based dryer manufacturer Dri-Air Industries, which had been represented in Canada for the past 30 years by Mould-tek, for both sales and service. According to Dir-Air, the relationship with Mould-tek was terminated due to that company’s recent acquisition by Wittmann Canada.

Newmarket, Ont.-based PMI is owned and operated by Glen and Todd Billinger.