Deutsche Beteiligungs Acquires Coperion Group

Frankfurt, Germany -- Deutsche Beteiligungs AG and its co-investment fund DBAG Fund V will jointly acquire 100 percent of the shares in Coperion Group from British financial investor Lyceum Capital. Contracts for a management buyout have now been signed. The completion of this transaction with a value of 300 million euros is subject to regulatory approval. Co-investments on the part of the management team are planned.

The companies of the Coperion Group develop, manufacture and market bulk-materials conveyor and logistics plants as well as machines and systems for the production and processing of plastics, chemicals and food in powder and granular form. Coperion's customers typically produce plastics, but also, to an increasing degree, coatings, printing inks, toners, animal food, cereals and pharmaceuticals. Core competences are compounding and extruding, that is, the mixing and shaping of various materials under changing pressures and temperatures, as well as technologies for conveying bulk materials in powder and granular form.

The group was formed in late 2000 through the merger of Werner & Pfleiderer GmbH and Waeschle GmbH. In 2006, it generated sales of some 450 million euros. Coperion currently employs a staff of 2,100, of whom more than 1,200 are located at two larger (Stuttgart and Weingarten) and several smaller sites in Germany.

"Coperion is a particularly attractive investment: Based on its superior proprietary technology and application knowledge, Coperion has established a global leadership position in a growing market. The company's potential is huge – both in augmenting its equipment as well as service-related returns," said Dr. Rolf Scheffels, member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, following the signing of the contract today.

He emphasized the group's excellent internationality; its companies look back on a more than hundred-year tradition in mechanical engineering: Werner & Pfleiderer (Stuttgart, Germany) was founded in 1879, Waeschle (Weingarten, Germany) in 1900. Through the acquisition of the leading Chinese provider, Coperion Keya (Nanjing, China), Coperion is also well poised in the aspiring Asian market. Coperion operates further production and product development sites in Wytheville, USA, New Delhi, India, and Shanghai, China.

Backed by Deutsche Beteiligungs AG and its managed co-investment fund, Coperion plans to expand its service business in the coming years, improve operating processes and exploit market opportunities that arise from the strong and growing demand for its products, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG is a leading publicly listed private equity company. With a track record of 40 years, it is the oldest private equity firm in Germany. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG focuses on market-leading mid-sized enterprises in Germany. It invests from its own balance sheet and from the assets of co-investment funds. Currently, the company has approximately one billion euros under management.

For more information contact:
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG
Web site: http://www.deutsche-beteiligung.de/
and
Coperion Group
Web site: http://www.coperion.de/

Columbian TecTank Upgrades to Double Capacity

KANSAS CITY, KS -- The board of directors of CST Industries, Inc., parent company of Columbian TecTank, has approved a major capital improvement program for its Parsons production facility, located at 2101 South 21st Street in Parsons, KS.

The multi-million dollar equipment and technology investment in the Parsons facility, which manufactures factory coated steel and aluminum storage tanks for both liquid storage and the storage of dry commodity products, will double production capacity and result in the creation of at least 30 new jobs.

With more than 110 years of experience and over 250,000 tanks installed, Columbian TecTank is the leader in the design, fabrication and installation of field bolted and factory welded tanks for a variety of end uses. The Parsons plant is an ISO 9000/9001 Certified facility.

Columbian TecTank’s business has grown rapidly since 2003, placing a heavy demand on its various production facilities, including its Parsons facility. The company’s orders to date for 2007 show an increase of 40 percent over the same time in 2006. Because of the tremendous growth, the company has decided to expand its manufacturing capacity.

“We are excited to expand and modernize the equipment and processes at the Parsons facility. Some of the nation’s top consultants on flow and technology are working side by side with our work force to arrive at the design for a world-class production process,” said Steve Allen, manufacturing manager for the Columbian TecTank Parsons production facility.

The company plans to integrate the best metal fabricating equipment in the world and utilize the most advanced material flow techniques to achieve high output and superior quality. New material handling equipment and modern loading and unloading systems will eliminate some of the physical exertion required on some of the facility’s current equipment and reduce safety risks on the shop floor.

The modernization and expansion of the Parsons operation will begin immediately, and be divided into two phases to avoid interruptions to current production. Phase I includes developing a new production cell in an area to the north of the current production line. Once phase I is completed and the new equipment is in operation, Phase II will begin, completing the modernization.

Dick Jarman, general manager of Columbian TecTank, describes the importance of the project this way: “Our employees at the Parsons operation have proven themselves to be the best in the industry. We are thrilled to expand our production capacity at this facility, and we look to our Parsons employees as the nucleus of our business, and key to our success.”

CST Industries, Inc. is the market leader in factory coated bolted and shop-welded tank storage systems with manufacturing and assembly operations in Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee and the United Kingdom. Sales offices for CST Industries are located on every continent around the world. Columbian TecTank silos and tanks are used for dry bulk and liquid storage applications across all industries, offering long-lasting corrosion and abrasion resistance. The Parsons facility supports domestic bolted and welded tank sales, and its tanks may be found in 180 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit: http://www.columbiantectank.com/

Bulkflow Heat Exchanger Offers Exceptional Results

ATLANTA, GA -- The Bulkflow Heat Exchanger combines zero emissions, lower energy consumption and lower capital costs with exceptional results. The Heat Exchanger was among systems shown by Bulkflow at the recent Powder and Bulk Solids Southeast in Atlanta, GA. Bulkflow is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Bulkflow equipment has many features and benefits that make it stand out compared to alternative technologies. Unlike many other types of bulk solids coolers, the Bulkflow system does not require fans or large volumes of air to operate. This dramatically lowers energy consumption and results in zero emissions, making Bulkflow Equipment “environmentally friendly.”

The Bulkflow system is a fully enclosed system, therefore eliminating concern of contamination. This is especially important in the food industry or when dealing with hazardous materials. Bulkflow provides gentle product handling due to a static design with no moving parts. The technology is safe, compact and reliable. This makes it easy to integrate with existing equipment and means low installation, maintenance and capital costs.

Applications include chemicals, fertilizers, polymers, detergents, catalysts, minerals, oilseeds, grains, food products, sugar and biosolids. (Photo: Bulkflow sugar cooler)

The Bulkflow Heat Exchanger, a sophisticated combination of the two sciences of indirect heat transfer and the mass flow of bulk solids, is designed for indirect heating and cooling of free flowing powders and bulk solids.

The powders or bulk solids move slowly by gravity between vertical heat transfer surfaces formed by welded plates containing the heat transfer fluid, typically water in the case of a cooler. A mass flow discharge device controls the product flow rate.

The combination of technologies makes the Bulkflow equipment “environmentally friendly.” Unlike many other types of bulk solid coolers, the Bulkflow system does not require large volumes of air to operate and instead lets gravity do the work to greatly reduce power consumption.

About Bulkflow Technologies

BulkFlow Technologies Ltd., formerly Cominco Engineering, was formed in 1999. The Bulkflow Heat Exchanger was originally invented to find a better way to cool granular fertilizer. Bulkflow has risen to become a world leader in heating and cooling powder and bulk solids. Today, there are more than 250 successful installations in more than 30 countries in a wide variety of industries.

For more information contact:
Bulkflow Technologies, Inc.
Telephone: 403-254-3500
Fax: 403-254-3501
Email: info@bulkflow.com
Web site:  http://www.solexthermal.com/

CEMA : Sales up 16% in March 2007

NAPLES, FL. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reported that its March 2007 Booked Orders Index was 175 up 29 points or an increase of 20% from February 2007's Index of 146 (1990=100). The March 2007 Index represents an increase of 16% from the March 2006 Index of 151.

March Booked Orders Indexes were 283 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 135 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 149 in March. Index in March is up 2 points or 1% from February 2007's Twelve-Month Index of 147.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 179 in March. Index in March is up 32 points or 22% from February 2007's Twelve-Month Index of 147. The March 2007 Index represents an increase of 12% from the March 2006 Index of 160.

March Billed Sales Indexes were 229 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 179 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 146 in March. Index in March is unchanged from January 2007's Twelve-Month Index of 144.

* Since Bulk Handling Systems booked and billed sales are reported quarterly, they are averaged back to the two preceding months to enable a running monthly index.

Source: http://www.cemanet.org/

I

Dan Powell Appointed as System Engineer Innovative Processing Solutions has appointed Dan Powell as System Engineer.

IEDCO-Batch is on the Move!
IEDCO announces a new addition to their batching equipment line, the Portable IEDCO-Batch System.

New : Miniature Rotary Batch Mixer The mixer features a rotating drum with flights that tumble, turn and fold material gently as well as rapidly.

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Mr. Dangi needs help with bearing on inline conveyor:

I have a problem with my bearings on the inline tube conveyor. It is inclined at a very steep angle of 42 degrees.

The product conveyed in fine limestone dust along with paper bags. the bearings keep breaking every month. I can't seem to get a hold of the problem.  (to post reply, click here)

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OMYA
tdmine@yahoo.com

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One of our customers would like to mix bentonite and other similar products to manufacture cat litter.  Density of 50 to 60lbs/cu. ft.

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Pierre (Pete) Laplante
Les Equipements L&L Lte
equiplap.sth@sympatico.ca

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Manufactures Reps Needed - Western PA, OK, FL and GA

ARBO Engineering, a leading manufacturer of a full line of loss in weight and volumetric dosing equipment including, vibratory, flexible wall, single and twin auger feeders is seeking manufacturer's representatives for the following territories: Western PA, OK, FL and GA.

ARBO is a world leader in resonant vibratory technology and is a leader in integrated feeder controls.

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Dave Gicza
ARBO Engineering
Telephone: 800-689-2726
Email: dgicza@arbo-feeders.com
Web: http://www.arbo-feeders.com/

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Pneumatic Conveying of Solids:  A Theoretical and Practical Approach
by G. E. Klinzing, et al.
Hardcover: 599 pages, 1997

.

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

.

Silos:  Fundamental of Theory, Behavior & Design
by C. J. Brown, J. Nielsen (Editors), Hardcover, 864 pages, February 1998

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Preventing Conveyor Belts from Derailing!
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Centre for Concepts in Mechatronics

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This week's photo is of the DCL SmartLoader® spout. It utilizes a patented vision system that scans the top of the vehicle. Any open hatch or series of open hatches are automatically located, measured and qualified. The multi-speed positioner provides a fast scanning speed to minimize loading cycle times.

Photo courtesy Josh Muma of DCL, Inc.

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