Movers & Shakers: Partnership for Mexican energy reform initiative, plus other appointments and awards

March 24, 2016

Emerson will help upgrade and expand Mexico’s gas pipeline infrastructure in $8.9 million automation project.

Acquisitions, Expansions & Partnerships

Emerson selected to expand Mexico’s infrastructure

Mexican oil and gas giants Pemex and ENGIE have selected Emerson to help upgrade and expand Mexico’s gas pipeline infrastructure. The $8.9 million automation project is part of the Mexican energy reform initiative. Because existing natural gas availability is expected to fall short of demand from a growing population and industrialization, the country is increasing capacity for importing low-cost natural gas from the U.S. Pemex estimates demand for natural gas will grow 3.6 percent per year from 2012 to 2028, with total imports increasing to 3 billion cubic feet per day. Emerson Process Management, a global business of Emerson, will automate the southern portion of the Los Ramones Phase II pipeline.

Partnership to produce first plasma oxidation commercial oven

4M Industrial Oxidation LLC, a subsidiary of RMX Technologies, has signed a letter of intent with C.A. Litzler Co. Inc. to jointly commercialize the first 175-ton plasma oxidation oven for OPF and carbon fiber production. The patented 4M plasma-oxidation process will be key in the worldwide carbon fiber market expansion from 83,000 metric tons of carbon fiber per year to over 219,000 tons per year from 2015 to 2024.

SJE-Rhombus acquires MCC Control Systems

SJE-Rhombus, a global manufacturer of water and wastewater control solutions, has acquired MCC Control Systems, a systems integrator and automation solutions provider for municipal water, wastewater and industrial applications. SJE-Rhombus will position MCC Control Systems within PRIMEX, the company’s business dedicated to systems integration and engineered control solutions.

Radwell selects partner to automate finished goods and picking processes

Radwell International, a leading international supplier and repair center for industrial electrical and electronic control devices, selected Swisslog to automate its finished goods and picking processes at its new distribution center in Willingboro, New Jersey, with the purchase of a Click&Pick solution powered by AutoStore. The new 312,000-square-foot distribution center will allow Radwell to merge multiple facilities into one while also accommodating its growing needs. Swisslog is the leading supplier of the AutoStore technology in the U.S. and globally.

Exova signs framework agreement with Ma’aden

Exova has signed a three-year framework agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma’aden, to provide environmental monitoring services across Saudi Arabia. The technical services Exova will provide include air quality testing as well as noise monitoring for twelve of Ma’aden’s operations. As part of the agreement, Exova will also provide sampling and analysis of off-site groundwater, wastewater and potable water to ensure that Ma’aden sites comply with local and international regulatory requirements. The work will be carried out at a variety of client locations including minerals extraction and processing sites.

Harrington Industrial Plastics announces new branch location

Harrington Industrial Plastics’ new 18,100-square-foot branch location in Minnetonka, Minnesota, will stock the traditional Harrington product offering, as well as high-purity and stainless steel products for microelectronics, medical and life science industries.

New Tampa office for AXYZ International

AXYZ International opened its newest office in Tampa, Florida. A global leader in CNC router manufacturing, AXYZ International now has four offices in the United States including those in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Tampa. At the new office, customers can see several of the newest AXYZ machines and technologies and watch demonstrations for their specific routing or knife cutting application.

Siemens announces new channel partners

Siemens Analytical Products and Solutions will partner with RBI Solutions to help focus on their Texas market. RBI Solutions is a manufacturer’s representative that has served Texas since 1996. It is a value added sales representative company supporting a variety of industries with an emphasis on complete customer satisfaction through the sale of industry leading products and services.

Siemens will also partner with Process Technology Inc. This partnership will focus on the Rocky Mountain region. PTI is a process analyzer, instrumentation and automation control company operating since 1986. PTI’s base of operations is located in Salt Lake City with additional offices in Denver and Phoenix, and they present the continuous gas analyzers and lasers for El Paso, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming and Southern Idaho.

Holland and Honeywell expand partnership

Holland Company
, a leading distributor of thermoplastic resin will expand their partnership with global supplier Honeywell Resins and Chemicals. Under this partnership, the companies will expand their nylon distribution to include flexible packaging applications. M. Holland and Honeywell have been partners in distributing nylon for the past several years, primarily in the compounding markets.

WELTEC Group acquires 3.3 MW biogas plant

In 2015, the WELTEC Group acquired two biomethane refineries. Now the company has taken the next step on its growth path. In January 2016, Nordmethan GmbH, a subsidiary of the plant manufacturer WELTEC Biopower, purchased an existing biogas plant in Falkenhagen, Brandenburg, Germany. Following the fundamental technical and administrative restructuring and modernization, the currently decommissioned Falkenhagen biogas plant is expected to resume operations at the end of 2016. The plant has five digesters, five post-digesters, five digestate storage units and six combined heat and power plant that will generate 3.3 megwatts of electricity.

Saint-Gobain Seals opens large diameter production facility

Saint-Gobain Seals has opened a new large diameter seal production facility at its Kontich, Belgium, site to further improve quality and reduce lead-times for large diameter, polymer OmniSeal seals. With this new production facility, the company aims to strengthen their service to the Energy sector for applications such as FPSO turret swivels, large engineered valves, wind turbines and compressors. The dedicated area includes a new compression-molding press, sintering ovens, a large diameter CNC lathe, bespoke flexible forming and welding technology for Meldin 5301 PEEK based components, special transportation racks and a large table for assembly and inspection.

Idesco Safety expands operations

Idesco Safety Co. LLC, a New York-based manufacturer and distributor of safety tags, lockout/tagout materials, signage and laminating pouches/equipment, has expanded its operations in Brooklyn, New York, and launched a new website to better serve customers. The company has seen exponential growth over the last few years and recently invested in building a dedicated customer service team to serve its growing customer base. Idesco Safety serves companies of all sizes and industries to help keep them compliant with workplace safety laws set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Rockwell Automation to acquire MagneMotion

Rockwell Automation will purchase MagneMotion, a leading manufacturer of intelligent conveying systems. The systems are used across a broad range of industrial applications including automotive and general assembly, packaging and material handling. This acquisition will complement Rockwell Automation’s iTRAK to create the broadest portfolio of independent cart solutions in this emerging technology area.

Altus Capital Partners acquires Nichols Portland from Parker Hannifin

Altus Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on middle market manufacturing companies in the U.S., has acquired Nichols Portland, a division of Parker Hannifin Corporation. Nichols Portland is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision powder metal fixed and variable displacement gears including gerotor gears and smart pumps for automotive and on-off highway and other industrial markets. Altus Capital along with the management team of Nichols Portland made this investment to participate in the expected growth of smart pump and advanced variable vane gears. The financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Emerson technology and expertise to support Culzean project

Emerson Process Management, a global business of Emerson, has been awarded a contract to automate the Maersk Oil Culzean gas field development in the North Sea. One of the largest gas discoveries in the area, the Culzean field is expected to meet around five percent of the UK’s total demand. Maersk and its co-venturers are investing around $4.5 billion in the Culzean development. As the main automation contractor, Emerson will provide automation services and technologies for the three offshore platforms as well as for an onshore observation facility that can support remote operations if needed.

Irish company Actavo expands to U.S.

Actavo, a leading international engineering solutions company headquartered in Dublin, has acquired a division of U.S. company, Atlantic Engineering Group, Inc. (AES). Specializing in design engineering, field services, geographic information systems services and permitting, AES has operations in Georgia, Texas, Missouri and Colorado. Actavo has operations in more than 100 locations internationally, with a global workforce of 5,000 delivering network, in-home, industrial, hire and sales, building and event solutions to the world’s leading companies. The new business will be rebranded as Actavo to become a key element of Actavo’s Network and In-Home Division.

Hitachi merging subsidiaries

Hitachi, Ltd. will merge Hitachi Aqua-Tech Engineering Pte. Ltd., which handles the design, manufacturing, sales, and maintenance of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems, and Aqua Works and Engineering Pte. Ltd., an engineering company that handles water related facilities for condominiums and commercial and public facilities. Following the merger, which is scheduled to take place on April 1, 2016, Hitachi Aqua-Tech will be the surviving company. The goal of the merger is to further strengthen the water and environmental solutions business targeting resorts, commercial facilities and high-rise condominiums in Asia and island countries.

Old World Industries re-entering liquid caustic soda distribution

Old World Industries has established a distribution agreement with Axiall LLC, and will re-enter the industry for marketing liquid caustic soda. The agreement provides a reliable distribution network for liquid caustic soda, leveraging Old World’s experience and efficiency managing supply chain networks along with its best-in-industry customer service.

Veolia partnering with one of world’s largest oleochemical company

Veolia Water Technologies will design and build a wastewater treatment system to be integrated into a new greenfield oleochemical production plant in Indonesia at one of the world’s largest palm oil plantation companies. The wastewater plant will feature integrated proprietary wastewater solutions for hydrogenation and will perform operational functions such as splitting, fracking, and distilling of fatty acids and fatty alcohols for the production of finished palm-based products.

Appointments

ACS names new Journal of Proteome Research editor in chief

The American Chemical Society has announced a new editor in chief to head the Journal of Proteome Research, a leading peer-reviewed journal in the field of proteomics. John R. Yates, Ph.D., of the Scripps Research Institute will succeed William Hancock, Ph.D., who led the journal from its inception in 2002 through late 2015. Yates, the Ernest W. Hahn Professor of Chemical Physiology and Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, has contributed to significant advances in the proteomics field, most recently focusing his research on applied proteomics, protein biochemistry, mass spectrometry and informatics.

New General Manager for Bunting Magnetics

Bunting Magnetics Co., a moving, removing and holding metal manufacturer, has promoted Robert Bunting to general manager of Magnet Materials Division located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Bunting’s history with the company goes back to high school, and his sales experience grew as an outside sales representative for the Standard Product Group, where he was recognized as one of the company’s top sales producers. Bunting was most recently the product manager for the Metal Detection Product Group.

New head of finance for Seatronics

Seatronics, an Acteon company, and part of its survey, monitoring and data business segment, has appointed Kevin Strachan as head of finance. The  role will require Strachan to lead the finance function in each of Seatronics’ global bases and divisions. Strachan holds a master’s degree in accounting from Aberdeen University and a chartered accountant designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

NewAge Industries announces new inside sales manager

Stephen McDevitt will be the new inside sales manager for NewAge Industries. A 13-year team member, McDevitt fills the role vacated by Annabelle Black, who retired in December 2015 after 29 years with the company. McDevitt was hired in 2002 as a technical sales representative and later promoted to a similar position specializing in products from NewAge’s biopharma and single-use division, AdvantaPure. In his new role, McDevitt will supervise a team of inside sales representatives covering both NewAge and AdvantaPure product lines.

Industry veteran assigned to southeastern region

MidContinental Chemical Company Inc. appointed Matt Mannette as District Manager for their southern region in the U.S. He will play a key role in developing effective strategies and tactics to expand fuel and lubricant additive sales in this assigned geography. Mannette replaces Gary Lackore, who was promoted to National Sales Manager. Mannette held various leadership positions within the retail, fuel and lubricants business units of his previous employers.

Bioprocessing specialist recruited to bolster market presence

Bioprocessing solutions provider Parker domnick hunter has appointed Guy Matthews from York, U.K.,  as market development manager. He  will be responsible for increasing the division’s presence in the single-use systems and filtration market. Parker domnick hunter is part of the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems.

Spiroflow appoints industry veteran to Strategic Advisory Board                     

Bulk material handling and powder processor Spiroflow has appointed industry veteran Kevin Bowen as a member of its Strategic Advisory Board. His role on the board will be to provide guidance on market growth, product strategy and innovation. Within the last year Spiroflow has also been forging ahead into industrial automation, with a focus on control system integration and with their 2015 acquisition of the respected food automation leader, Food Control Solutions.

Tnemec Company Inc. names President and Chief Operating Officer

Tnemec Company Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance protective coatings, has named Chase Bean as its president and Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, Bean assumes responsibility over all of Tnemec’s operations. Bean served Tnemec as executive vice president for the last eight years, where he managed the sales, marketing, research and development, and technical services departments.

Azane hires new VP-Business Development

Low-charge ammonia chiller manufacturer Azane has appointed Caleb Nelson as its new VP-business development. As the face of California based Azane, Nelson will represent the company as it pioneers the nationwide switch to low charge NH3 ammonia systems, which are expected to replace R22 and other refrigerants with high ozone depleting and global warming potential. Nelson has been working in the industry since 2005, with roles as a refrigeration application engineer, project manager and director of refrigeration.

Aquatic appoints regional manager and project engineer

Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, has expanded its team based in Houston. Bob Terrell joined Aquatic as regional manager, while Andrew Blaquiere has moved permanently from the Acteon group to Aquatic as proposals and project engineer. Terrell has more than 30 years of experience in the onshore and offshore oil and gas industry, with a substantial focus on subsea operations. Blaquiere has eight years of experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri.

Awards, Milestones & Celebrations

Timken Company named one of the most ethical

The Timken Company, a global leader in bearings, has been recognized for the sixth time by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the world’s most ethical companies. The designation recognizes companies that promote ethical business standards and align principle with action. The Ethisphere Institute advances the global conversation on corporate ethics, responsibility and leadership.

Raw Sea Foods receives "AA" rating

In December 2015, Raw Sea Foods Inc. became the first food manufacturing company in the U.S. that produces fully cooked seafood and bacon wrapped items to achieve the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards AA rating. This rating assures customers that products and services supplied by Raw Sea Foods Inc. are handled with a high degree of competency in all areas critical to food safety.

World Water Works receives 2016 Manufacturing Leadership Award

World Water Works, a designer and manufacturer of wastewater treatment solutions, was selected by Frost & Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership Council’s 2016 Manufacturing Leadership Awards for manufacturing the patent-pending new AvN technology, developed by DC Water and Hampton Roads Sanitation District. The Manufacturing Leadership Award honors manufacturing companies and individual leaders who are shaping the future of the global industry.

Di Carlo and White to receive 2016 MRS Outstanding Young Investigator Awards

The Materials Research Society’s (MRS) Outstanding Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding, interdisciplinary scientific work in materials research by a young scientist or engineer who shows exceptional promise as a developing leader in the materials area. This year, MRS has named two award recipients: Dino Di Carlo, University of California, Los Angeles, and Timothy J. White, US Air Force Research Laboratory. Di Carlo and White will be presented with their awards at the 2016 MRS Spring Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

GoEngineer earns awards from SOLIDWORKS and Stratasys Worldwide

GoEngineer, a leading reseller of SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software, Stratasys 3D printers, Creaform 3D scanners, CAMWorks and Oracle’s Agile PLM, announced that it won 40 awards at SOLIDWORKS World 2016. The company has more than 26,000 YouTube subscribers who have provided 5.1 million views.

CPC director of research awarded 2015 Robert L. Patrick Fellowship

CPC, a provider of quick disconnect couplings and fittings for plastic tubing, announced that Chuck Extrand, director of research, was named the recipient of the Robert L. Patrick Fellowship at the Adhesion Society’s Annual Meeting held Feb. 21-24. Extrand received the fellowship in recognition of his extensive contributions to wetting, adhesion science and the society.

Accetta to retire as president of Kalenborn Abresist

Kalenborn Abresist Corporation’s president Joe Accetta will retire in May 2016. A 1973 graduate of Northwestern University, Accetta was originally employed as vice president of sales in 1983 and named president in 1990. For 10 years prior to 1983, he was involved in sales and abresist product management for M.H. Detrick, an early joint venture partner in Kalenborn Abresist Corporation. Kalenborn Abresist in Urbana, Indiana, was established in 1977 and is a leader in the design and supply of wear solutions for a wide range of industries utilizing various mineral and metallic solutions.

Xiamen Runner 2015 best quality award

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics, headquartered in Minnesota, has been awarded the 2015 Best Quality Award from Xiamen Runner Industrial Corporation of China. The annual award is presented to suppliers meeting the highest quality standards in a year and the best among Xiamen’s thousands of suppliers. Founded in 1989, Xiamen Runner is a leading global manufacturer specializing in products for water, air purification, kitchens and bathrooms. Xiamen Runner was China’s first company supplying the plumbing industry to obtain ISO9002 certification. Since that time, it has received many additional certifications including UPC, CSA and NSF certifications.

M&I Electric awarded two power generation projects

American Electric Technologies Inc., a provider of power delivery solutions for the global energy industry, announced that its M&I Electric business has been selected to provide turnkey power delivery solutions for two power generation facilities in the U.S. M&I Electric received two contracts from a leading power delivery solutions firm. M&I Electric turnkey solutions include numerous custom-engineered and fabricated, climate-controlled power distribution centers along with the installation of low-voltage motor control centers, variable frequency drives, turbine control panel, battery systems and motor starters.

Actinium Pharmaceuticals files for provisional patent

Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative targeted payload immunotherapeutics for the treatment of advanced cancers, has filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office pertaining to Iomab-B, the company’s Iodine-131 labeled anti-CD45 antibody. This provisional patent application represents the second provisional patent application filing related to Iomab-B following the company’s June 24, 2015, filing for infusion administration of Iomab-B. The company’s patent portfolio encompasses the use of alpha emitting isotopes attached to monoclonal antibodies, methods for manufacturing key components of its product candidates and methods for manufacturing finished product candidates for use in cancer treatment.

KHS among top five German machine and system manufacturers

According to a best employers special in FOCUS, the KHS Group is one of the top five machine and system manufacturers in Germany. The survey sought out the most attractive employers among medium-sized and large companies in 22 branches of industry. The report reveals that KHS is the best company in its sector based in North Rhine-Westphalia and is also one of the top 100 concerns in the overall ranking. According to the publisher the rating is based on objective, journalistic criteria and assessment by personnel within and outside the company.

SI2 Technologies recognized as first member of NextFlex

S12 Technologies, a Massachusetts-based RF and sensor systems company, has been recognized with an award as the first member of the latest Manufacturing Innovation Institute, NextFlex, which is focused on maturing flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing. The award was presented by NextFlex Executive Director, Malcolm Thompson, at the NextFlex Founders reception held in conjunction with the 2016FLEX Conference and Exhibition in Monterey, California.

2016 Global Industrial Mixer Solutions for Process Company of the Year Award

Frost & Sullivan awarded SPX FLOW Inc. with the 2016 Global Industrial Mixer Solutions for Process Company of the Year Award. The Frost & Sullivan award is given to a company that demonstrates excellence in the areas of growth, innovation and leadership in the industrial mixer market. Frost & Sullivan evaluated industrial companies on visionary innovation, performance and customer impact. SPX FLOW’s Lightnin brand rated number one in all three categories for 2016.

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