APV Sold to SPX Corp.

London, England -- Invensys PLC announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell APV to SPX Corporation for a cash consideration of £250 million, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The disposal is being made on a “debt free/cash free” basis and completion is expected to take place by the end of December 2007.

APV is a global supplier of process engineering solutions for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. During the year ended 31 March 2007, APV produced operating profit before exceptional items of £16 million on revenue of £421 million and at that date had gross assets of £284 million. APV will be treated as a discontinued operation in the second quarter results to 30 September 2007 which are due to be published on 8 November 2007 and its net assets of £78 million will be included in the 30 September 2007 balance sheet as “Assets held for sale”.

Following discussions with the Trustee of its main UK pension fund, the Invensys Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), Invensys PLC has agreed to contribute £70 million of the proceeds to the Scheme at completion. The effect of this additional payment upon the payment schedule announced last year will be evaluated as part of the actuarial review of the Scheme as at 31 March 2008. The US pension scheme will receive 4% of the proceeds and the balance will be used to pay down corporate debt.

Ulf Henriksson, Chief Executive of Invensys PLC, commented, "I am pleased that APV will be owned by SPX Corporation as it is a good strategic fit with their existing businesses. This is a good deal for both Invensys and SPX and we wish APV every success in the future. This transaction enables us to focus management attention on our other operations as we seek to become a sustainable, high performance and cohesive company.”

Source: http://www.invensys.com/

Free : Guide to Reduction of Metal Contamination

Tampa, FL -- Mettler-Toledo Safeline has produced a highly comprehensive guide to metal detection that is specifically aimed at assisting the global food production and pharmaceutical industries.

Entitled ‘Reduction of Metal Contamination – Building an Effective Program’, this guide replaces the original Safeline Guide to Reducing Metal Contamination (known in the industry as ‘The Red Book’) - a document that was widely regarded across the food and pharmaceutical sectors as ‘essential reading’. Significantly updated, presenting current thinking and available totally free of charge, this latest document provides even higher levels of information than were contained in its predecessor.

Detailing every aspect that must be considered in the creation, implementation and maintenance of an effective metal detection program, the guide is clearly written, laid out in a logical fashion and supported by useful diagrams, charts and illustrations. Throughout the document, margin notes draw the reader to points of particular importance, whilst clear symbols indicate best practice, practice that could result in incorrect operation and records that should be generated in order to demonstrate the effective operation of the metal detection program. There is also ample space for the user’s own notes.

Joe Gianfalla, Marketing Manager for Safeline comments, “The need for metal detection systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries is recognized by most manufacturers and processors as an essential area of focus in any efficient quality regime. In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, new legislation, the tightening of industry standards and the growth of regulatory bodies has meant that the importance of being able to demonstrate that an effective metal detection program is in place has escalated considerably.”

Overall Metal Detection Program

“That said,” he continued, “merely installing metal detectors will not necessarily guarantee that a metal-free product is produced. For that to be achieved, those detectors must form part of an overall metal detection program. In producing this guide, we have ensured that manufacturers have access to the information necessary in the setting-up of such a program. An effective metal detection strategy can provide protection against product failure and recalls, help to maintain hard-fought supplier certification status and reduce overall operating costs. It can also support the ability to prove that reasonable precautions and due diligence have been applied in the manufacturing process in the event of a legal claim situation.” 

Providing a definitive reference point for those involved in food safety, the Safeline guide gives a valuable insight into all aspects of metal detection in the modern production facility, from basic principles through to implementing a comprehensive metal detection solution.

Chapters one to four provide an overview of how metal detectors work, an explanation of important design features, an insight into those factors that could potentially limit performance of the equipment and the integration of metal detectors with effective rejection systems. The remaining chapters then provide comprehensive details into building an effective program. Issues covered include the reasons for metal detection, the prevention of contamination, selecting control points in the production facility, understanding operating sensitivity, and installation and commissioning.

The guide then concludes with information regarding the essential elements of equipment testing and validation procedures. These topics include: how to conduct tests, the correct handling of suspect and rejected product, the analysis of data and the electronic collection of data in enterprise-wide management information systems.

For more information visit: http://www.mt.com/safelineus

WBF 2008 : "Shaping the Future of Manufacturing"

Jacksonville, FL -- For the first time in many years, Interphex has moved from New York City to another location. As a result, for the first time ever, Interphex will be in the same city during the same week as our 15th annual conference near Philadelphia.

The WBF conference will be held March 24-26, 2008 in the historic Valley Forge area of Philadelphia. Interphex will be March 26-28 in the Philadelphia Convention Center, allowing WBF conference attendees to attend the WBF technical conference and still have plenty of time to attend the Interphex show and conference.

The theme of WBF 2008 is "Shaping the Future of Manufacturing," a reminder of the many manufacturing “firsts” that have resulted from past WBF conferences. ISA-95 and the Make2Pack working groups will give attendees a greater understanding of current and upcoming manufacturing management, integration, control methods and technologies.

There will be optional tutorials on the afternoon of Monday, March 24, followed by an evening networking reception. For the first time in North America, the conference will run for two full days (Tuesday and Wednesday). This is the same format we have used for several years with our very successful European conferences. In another innovation, we will close this conference on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 26 with an outstanding speaker: Industry pioneer Pat Kennedy – the founder and owner of OSISoft – followed by a buffet reception.

Many of our members are associated with pharmaceutical manufacturers or other companies linked with the pharmaceutical industry and will want to attend the Interphex Show as well as our conference. Because of the extent of that show and the handy access to the airport from center city, others may want to join them. Our staff is working with Interphex to see if there are topics and presentations that can be co-hosted by either organization and is planning to arrange transportation from the conference hotel to the Philadelphia Convention Center so members can attend both events without the hassle of parking or the need to find other transportation.

We have already received some outstanding abstracts, but we can always use more, so please continue submitting them. Also, we need volunteers to review the abstracts and papers, so again, please let us know if you would be willing to help. Joining is quick and easy – so join today! If you’re already a member, think about participating in any of the technology or working committees.

Maurice Wilkins
World Batch Forum Chairman

For more information on the WBF 2008 N. American Conference, visit: http://www.wbf.org/

Rotex takes APEX Screener on the Road

CINCINNATI, OH -- Rotex, Inc., a global leader in screening technologies, has launched its new product road show for the APEX Screener, a self-contained production screening machine that retains the gyratory motion and efficient processing characteristics of the ROTEX® Screener, yet incorporates new ergonomically-designed performance and service features.

The Road Show enables customers, prospects, and the media to experience the benefits of the new APEX Screener; including its superior construction, ergonomic design, and enhanced service features. Attendees can envision the product in operation, and physically experience the features that allow for efficient screening performance, quick and easy maintenance and cleaning, and increased process "up-time."

“We developed the Road Show to bring our customers a hands-on experience with the new machine,” said John Gerhardt, Marketing Manager of Rotex, Inc. “We want our customers to see first-hand the value that we’re able to add to their applications.”

The APEX Road Show consists of product demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and consultation from knowledgeable product experts. The tour has previously visited the South and Midwest. A new tour schedule will be finalized soon. Those interested in having the tour visit their plant can visit www.rotex.com/apex and click on the APEX Road Show link.

The APEX Screener comes standard with the same great features found on the ROTEX® Screener gyratory-reciprocating motion, positive screen cleaning, and bouncing balls to reduce blinding, inlet/outlet connections, etc.; however, the APEX is enhanced with side access doors to enable efficient screen cleaning and changes. These side access doors enable quick screen changes and cleaning by only one person, increasing production uptime.

Customers already using the ROTEX Screener can achieve immediate labor cost savings and a return-on-investment (ROI), often between one to three years, after upgrading to the new APEX Screener.

The APEX delivers lower operating cost through one person maintenance and inspection in addition to higher productivity through faster screen changes and inspection/cleaning, yielding more uptime. Maintenance and cleaning by one person is easy due to operator lifted components weighing no more than 40 pounds. Screen panels weigh only 5 pounds.

The APEX Screener is the smart solution for dry separation screening of chemicals, fertilizers, clay/non-metallic minerals, industrial sand, salt/potash/soda ash, food processing, sugar, crushed minerals, refractory, water filter/treatment, feed pellets, meat meal, bakeries and cereals, corn processing, starch, sweeteners, forest products, commodity pellets, resin, pet food, oil seed processing, grain cleaning, engineered pellets, metal powder, rubber processing, soaps, and detergents.

To find out how the APEX can increase your productivity, contact:
Rotex, Inc.
1230 Knowlton St.
Cincinnati, OH 45223
Telephone: 800-453-2321
Fax: 513-541-4888
Email: info@rotex.com 
Web site: http://www.rotex.com/apex 

I

Seed Grinder reduces without heating The grinder produces a fine grind on numerous oil seeds, without elevating product temperatures or turning the seeds into paste.

New Laboratory Sieve Shaker
Finally, a top-quality tap sieve shaker is available which meets RETSCH’s high product standards: the AS 200 tap!

Vertical Conveyor suits Sanitary Applications The AquaPruf Series Platform provides the highest level of sanitation with virtually no spillage of product.

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Jeff wants to know more about silo relief valves:

A plant is constructed with silos to store the finished dry resin product. The silos are 8,900 cu. ft. capacity, SA516 gr 70 material, design pressure 3.6 psi, static head 24 psi. The silo was constructed per API 620, and is ASME code-stamped.

Material is pneumatically conveyed to the silos and a dust collector is provided on top of each that vents to the atmosphere.

My question is - is a PVSV still required? Or maybe just good safe practice?

I have worked in PVC, and all silos had at least pressure relief (and some, also vacuum relief) on a separate nozzle in addition to the dust collectors, even if the dust collectors had high differential pressure alarms.
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Jeff
jeffk_br@yahoo.com

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Application Engineer Wanted - Chicago

Plastic industry material handling manufacturing, pressure and vacuum systems has a career opportunity for an Application Engineer. Located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, the company specifies, designs and fabricates equipment for clients nationwide.  Products include: Blenders Blowers, Storage Bins, Pressure and Vacuum loading/unloading Systems

Primary Duties:
-Handle incoming customer application related inquiries.
-Recommend select and quote equipment accordingly.
-Occasional travel will be required to main factories and some customers.

Requirements:
-Specific experience in pneumatic conveying systems.
-A minimum of 5 years experience applying and selling specialized engineered electro-mechanical machinery to the various processing industries.
-Good technical proficiency, primarily mechanical.
-Strong familiarity with the various processing industries and selling equipment to these industries.
-Technical degree desired.
-A demonstrated strong work ethic, high energy level, and excellent interpersonal and communications skills.

Starting salary based on level of experience

Email a confidential résumé and cover letter to:
info@l-rsystems.com
or mail to:
Pneumatic Systems, Inc.
470 S. Hammes Ave
Joliet, Illinois 60436

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Powder and Bulk Dot Com's Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the materials handling professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to: news@powderandbulk.com

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Solid-Liquid Filtration and Separation Technology
by Y. A. Rushton, etal
Paperback, 539 pages, 1996

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Screw Conveyor 101
by Michael P. Forcade
Spiral-bound, 260 pages, 1999

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Circular Storage Tanks and Silos
by A. Ghali
Library Binding, 352 pages
2nd edition, June 2000

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