News

Clariant CEO Ernesto Occhiello resigns after 10 months

Occhiello’s departure comes as Clariant continues to negotiate with chemical supplier Sabic concerning the creation of a new business line.

Bunting Magnetics turns 60

Founded in August 1959, the family-owned company designs, manufactures, and sells magnetic equipment used in applications such as magnetic separation, metal detection, conveyor systems, and magnetic printing cylinders.

Sidel acquires French moldmaker Cognac Moules Emballages Plastiques

The deal is designed to strengthen Sidel’s moldmaking and tooling capabilities.

Ford cutting 200 jobs at Oakville, Ont. auto assembly plant

In a statement, Ford said the layoffs are the result of a “long-standing practice of matching production with consumer demand.”

New vice president for purging compound maker Sun Plastech

The company, which manufactures and distributes AsaClean purging compounds, has appointed Phani Nagaraj to the position.

Clariant selling healthcare packaging business to Arsenal Capital

The business unit – which generated sales of around 135 million Swiss francs in 2018 – has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., France, China and India, and employs approximately 600 employees.

Tooling supplier Chiron America taps former Husky exec as its new president, CEO

Steve Morris, Chiron America’s new president and CEO, previously worked in leadership positions with Husky Injection Molding Systems and also with Milacron.

Magna receives FCA Supplier of the Year Award

Magna’s interior content to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles consists of complete seat sets on vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Chrysler Pacifica.

Petro-Canada gets funding for cross-country electric vehicle fast-charging network

The federal government is awarding Petro-Canada $4.6 million to build 92 electric vehicle fast chargers, with the first completed station being in Stewiacke, N.S.

in its coast-to-coast network.

Pretium Packaging invests $2 million in PET blow molding equipment for Alabama plant

The new equipment has the capability of producing containers ranging from 6oz to 2L and finishes from 24 to 45 mm.

Eclipse Automation buys Hungarian automation supplier Transmoduls

The purchase allows Cambridge, Ont.-based Eclipse to expand into Europe to support the growing automation market.

KFC Canada to phase out plastic straws and bags this year

By October 2019, plastic straws and plastic bags will no longer be used or provided at any KFC restaurant locations across Canada.

Sidel joins Ellen MacArthur’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment

This worldwide initiative was launched in 2018 with the goal of addressing the plastic waste and pollution crisis at its source and keeping plastics within the economy.

Hillenbrand buying Milacron for $2 billion

The combined company is expected to generate annual sales of approximately US$3 billion and free cash flow of more than US$325 million by 2021.

Dynamic Conveyor hires new sales manager

The conveying system supplier has appointed John Stong, an industrial machine manufacturing industry veteran, to fill the role.

Tekni-Plex purchases South American closure liner manufacturer Geraldiscos

Geraldiscos manufactures closure liners and induction seals for a wide variety of container types – including PP, PE, HDPE, PVC, and PET – to the South American food, chemical, automotive, and healthcare marketplace.

Chevron Phillips, Qatar Petroleum sign $8 billion petrochemical deal

In their second major deal in the past few weeks, the two companies have agreed to jointly pursue development of a new petrochemical plant in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S.

Canada’s Woodbridge Foam investing $100 million on upgrades, research centre in Ontario

The investment, which includes $20 million from the federal government, will help create and maintain more than 800 jobs and establish a new Centre of Excellence.

SPE Thermoforming Division awards scholarships to five students

The recipients are four undergraduates and one graduate student, and will support their continuing studies and active participation in plastics.

Reifenhäuser breaks ground on new production facility

The new 3,000-square-meter production and assembly hall for flat dies at the company’s headquarters in Troisdorf, Germany is scheduled to open in spring 2020.