- Intertape Polymer Group
Reduces Operating Costs
- Pelletron Unveils New Line of Dedusters
- Top Picks at Amazon.com
- Ask Joe Column!
- Open Frame DEA Weighbelt Feeder for Sanitary Applications
- Powder and Bulk Dot Com had over 38,000+ visitors in August !!
- Buhler Acquires Millbank's Extruder Technology
- Hot Messages from the Help Forum
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- From the Job Fair
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From
the Editor
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Cost cutting, acquisitions and new
equipment are featured in this week's issue. Just a reminder,
if you have news for our newsletter, please feel free to email it to
us at news@powderandbulk.com
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improve your business by using the resources available on the
Internet.
MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30,
2002-- Intertape Polymer Group Inc. today announced it is
implementing a number of strategic operating and efficiency measures
that will further reduce operating costs.
Significant Cost Reductions to
Benefit FIBC Division
As part of its ongoing program to
reduce costs, Intertape Polymer Group ("IPG") is closing
the remaining manufacturing and related service operations in Rayne,
Louisiana as well as the Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada
manufacturing plant. All operations will be consolidated at IPG's
modern factory in Piedras Negras, Mexico. IPG's Mexican facility has
sufficient capacity to integrate these functions and operate on a
lower cost basis. These changes are expected to be fully implemented
by late November 2002.
Cullen Jones, Director of Sales &
Marketing for IPG's FIBC operation stated that the move should
improve the Company's competitive position. "We currently
command an important share of the market. This initiative to lower
costs enhances our ability to solidify and grow that position."
The consolidation program provides
both strategic and financial benefits. Coupled with existing
manufacturing agreements in India and China, IPG believes it will
now be able to supply some of the most technical and high quality
FIBC's throughout the world at competitive prices. The program
should strengthen IPG's position as a low cost producer and will
further enhance its status as one of the leading players in the
sector. Based on current volumes, the consolidation is expected to
result in cost reductions of approximately $3.0 million pretax
annually.
IPG is the largest fully integrated
FIBC manufacturer in North America. The Company is a leader in
developing and manufacturing specialized polyolefin plastic and
industrial woven packaging products, including FIBC's, which provide
an innovative solution to dry bulk shipping requirements.
Additional Company Wide Operating
Efficiency Measures
The Company also indicated that it
would be reducing headcount levels in its selling, general and
administrative areas ("SG&A"). These reductions are
expected to decrease SG&A expenses by approximately $2.5 million
pretax annually. Management has identified further cost savings
opportunities which it currently plans to implement over the next
twelve months. When completed, these changes are estimated to reduce
operating expenses by up to $12.0 million pretax annually. In
connection with the FIBC consolidation and headcount cost reductions
announced today, the Company will be recording a one-time pretax
charge of approximately $2.5 million in its third quarter earnings
results. This charge relates to severance costs as well as the
write-down of certain manufacturing assets. No additional charges or
provisions are currently foreseen for the additional $12.0 million
of estimated annual cost savings.
About Intertape Polymer Group
Intertape Polymer Group is a
recognized leader in the development and manufacture of specialized
polyolefin plastic and paper based packaging products and
complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use.
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec and Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida,
the Company employs approximately 2,800 employees with operations in
21 locations, including 15 manufacturing facilities in North America
and one in Europe.
For more information contact:
Mr. Melbourne F. Yull Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
Telephone: 866-202-4713
Web site: http://www.intertapepolymer.com/
Dedust
up to 200 pounds per hour
Pelletron Unveils New Line of
Dedusters
INDIANAPOLIS - Pelletron Corporation,
the pioneer in dedusting technology, unveiled the P1 Mini-Deduster,
a contaminant removal system for plastics product manufacturers. The
P1 Mini-Deduster efficiently separates plastic pellets from dust
contaminants that contribute to rejected parts, increased scrap
rates, and costly production delays.
Pelletron's
P1 Mini-Deduster is the most compact deduster in the Pelletron line.
It has the capacity to "dedust" up to 200 pounds of raw
material per hour and can separate particles smaller than 100
microns. The system is ideal for mid-sized to small manufacturers
that want to be more competitive in the processing industries. Large
manufacturers that specialize in low-volume processes also benefit
from the technology by producing cleaner products with less scrap.
"Traditional methods of
decontaminating plastics are less effective than dedusting because
they fail to break the static bond between the plastic pellet and
the dust particles," said Jerry Paulson, founder, president,
and CEO of Pelletron. "Installing Pelletron Dedusters has
helped many customers earn a return on their investment in as little
as a few weeks thanks to reduced scrap rates and increased
production."
Product contamination is caused by
the pneumatic conveyance of raw material - such as plastic pellets -
through the production process. As the material is conveyed, pellets
collide with one another and against the piping, causing minute
particles, including fines, fluff, and streamers to break off,
resulting in dust contaminants. As the material moves a static
charge builds, allowing dust to attach to the pellets. When
processed, the contaminants can burn or bubble, resulting in a
rejected end product.
The Pelletron P1 Mini-Deduster
features a flux field generator that produces a low power
electromagnetic field, disrupting the electrostatic bond between a
pellet and fines, fluff, or streamers. The pellets and dust fall to
the surface of the primary air wash deck, where they are washed by
air that lifts the lighter contaminants above the main product
stream. Pellets pass through the patented Venturi chamber, which
regulates updraft air velocity to a sufficient level to remove
streamers. Fines, fluff, and streamers are carried out of the
deduster and into the dust collector. The air is filtered at the
blower inlet and re-circulates to the air wash deck (closed system).
The cleaned pellets are discharged through the product outlet at the
base of the deduster.
Manufacturers can install the P1
Mini-Deduster in-line to the process flow - preferably at the feed
throat of the injection molding or extruder machine - or off-line as
a regrind or scrap recovery system. The deduster requires a gravity
feed of material into the deduster and is equipped with a built-in
Pellefeeder that provides a consistent material flow to avoid
surges. The P1 Mini-Deduster features all stainless steel and
aluminum construction that insures all surfaces will not mark or
damage the raw material.
About Pelletron Corporation
Founded in 1986, Pelletron
Corporation provides dedusting solutions to manufacturers in an
array of industries including automotive, medical equipment, product
design and development, plastics, textiles, and food.
Pelletron offers 12 different models with processing capabilities
ranging to more than 200,000 lbs./hour.
For additional information contact: Pelletron Corporation
Telephone: 717-293-4008
Web site: http://www.deduster.com/
The
Reading Room
Top Picks at Amazon.com
.
"The
standard industry reference on packaging materials and
engineering, presenting all basic engineering aspects of
packaging..."
"Packaging
novices and packaging veterans alike have come to rely on
Fundamentals of Packaging Technology for its clear, concise
and comprehensive content."
Find more books for the
materials handling professional online, visit
our Reading Room.
Ask
Joe! Column
This Month's Ask Joe!
Article
Table Feeders: An Alternative for
Difficult Applications
Guest article by Samer Habash, Granulation Business Specialist for
LCI Corp.
You can read Samer's article at: http://www.powderandbulk.com/pb_services/askjoe.htm
We Need Your Guest Articles!
Do you have an area of expertise in bulk materials, have you solved a difficult materials problem? Share your knowledge with others and promote yourself
by contributing an article to the Ask Joe! Column. For more information, please contact Joe Marinelli
at: Joe@SolidsHandlingTech.com
Compatible
with Washdowns
Open Frame DEA Weighbelt Feeder for
Sanitary Applications
Whitewater, WI – In response to a
customer request, AccuRate recently delivered an open frame version
of its successful DEA Weighbelt Feeder.
Designed
for a customer in the food processing industry, the special
weighfeeder is sanitary-grade and compatible with high pressure
wash-down environments.
Additionally, the design of the
weighfeeder makes it very simple for cleaning crews to clean and
maintain. A cam-operated lever lets you remove the belt virtually in
seconds and special clean-out ports and E-Z KLEEN® bearings enable
the weighfeeder to be pressure washed to remove any material or
debris build up.
The DEA Open Frame Weighbelt Feeder
also includes the following features:
All-stainless steel construction.
Utilizes a direct-drive system to
reduce the use of belts, and chains.
Designed with watershed angles to
optimize drainage and cleanability.
In an effort to accommodate different
materials, feed rates and plant settings, the U.S. manufactured Open
Frame DEA Weighbelt Feeder can be custom built in 12 inch (300 mm)
or 24 inch (600 mm) widths and in a variety of lengths. The
modifications made to the DEA are another example of AccuRate’s
ongoing efforts to satisfy the needs of the customers and industries
it serves.
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Expands
Extrusion Activities
Buhler Acquires Millbank's Extruder
Technology
As part of their expansion program of
extrusion technology, Buhler takes over the activities of Millbank
Technology (NZ) Ltd. in New Zealand.
The
term extrusion refers to screw-machinery based modular processes,
enabling continuous processing and modification of materials.
Extrusion is considered a future key technology especially in the
food processing, animal feed manufacturing and pharmaceutical
industries. The Buhler Group, being heavily involved in food
processing technology, understands therefore extrusion as an
important growth area for their business.
Buhler is already a leading supplier
of world-class twin-screw extrusion technology. By taking over the
activities of Millbank, the Group is completing its range of
products by adding the simpler and cost-effective single-screw
machines. These are especially in high demand in the Latin American
and South East Asian markets, where growth has resumed.
Millbank Technology (NZ) Ltd. is a
family-owned company based in Auckland, New Zealand, which has built
a reputation for efficient and reliable extrusion equipment
especially in South Eastern Asia. In connection with the settlement
of company owner successorship, Buhler took over all activities as
of the start of September 2002, integrating them in its Extrusion
Systems business unit. Up to now, Millbank equipment was marketed
under the name of Miltenz. In future, Buhler will offer it to its
global customers under the Millbank Extrusion product name. Since
the target markets for this machinery are predominantly in South
Eastern Asia and Latin America, equipment and parts will continue to
be supplied from Auckland.
The merging of the two companies will
allow customized and efficient solutions to be offered which cover a
broad range of capacities and include everything from stand-alone
machines to complete production systems. Buhler Extrusion Systems
will take immediate charge of global sales, engineering,
installation, start-up and customer service, with the existing
Millbank sales and service organization being integrated to maximize
the value to customers. In particular, Millbank’s and Buhler’s
customers will benefit from the worldwide service and spare parts
network.
The take-over of Millbank Technology’s
activities and the licensing agreement concluded a little more than
a year ago with Sanitarium Health Food in Australia highlight the
significance of the Asia-Pacific countries for Buhler Extrusion
Systems. Substantial growth is expected particularly in the aqua
culture, extruded snack foods and food ingredients market segments.
They play a preeminent role in the food supply, and extrusion
technology is a key process in their manufacture.
Buhler is a global technology group
and system partner for plant, equipment and process expertise in the
fields of food processing, chemical engineering and die casting,
with a global payroll of 6,500.
People post their requests for help and offer their
suggestions to others in our open forum.
Mr. Nicol wants a conveyor
vendor:
Could you direct me to a
vendor/contact who may be able to help me with my materials handling
problem
The product has:
-a bulk density of 600kg/m3,
-a product temp of around 90 deg C,
-a blanketing gas temp of around 120 deg C
-a feed rate of either 60t/hr (single stream) or 3x20t/hr (3
streams.
-a blanket pressure of 20kPa
We need to convey this approximately
100m horizontally and 50m vertically under a blanket of NH3.
The blanket gas will be NH3 with some contaminants that can be
removed.
We can not tolerate a velocity for a
pneumatic conveying system above around 15-20m/s due to the softness
of the crystal and the probability of severe attrition of the
crystal and resultant fines generation.
The vertical lift is not considered a
problem as it can apparently be done using conventional lean phase
techniques - the horizontal transfer is an issue, particularly as we
would need very clean gas (which can be achieved at a cost) for
conventional air (gas) slides. We can not afford any NH3
egress or air etc ingress.
I wondered if adapting a simple
air-supported conveyor system was possible by enclosing it in a
pressure pipe (to manage 20kPa) and using NH3 as the belt supporting
medium etc. The project is in Australia. (Click
here to post a reply)
Share your expertise with others in the Help
Forum.
Photos
Wanted
Call For Photographs!
This
week's homepage photo is of a Schenck Multicor-K flowmeter. By
using direct weighing technology without a counterbalancing system
the measuring principle of the Multicor-K is not affected by the
same external forces that affect the measuring accuracies of other
flowmeters.
We would love to have your photo of a bulk materials
process, packaging, conveying or handling "action shot" for our home
page. Send your photograph and description to: news@powderandbulk.com
Jobs
From the Job Fair
Manufactures Representatives
Wanted
PEBCO offers a diverse range of
products to meet the needs of the powder and bulk handling
industries including gates, valves, diverters, feeders, loading
spouts and loading systems.
We are currently looking for
established manufacturing representatives to promote our products.
Interested rep agencies please contact:
The Job Fair is a free service of Powder and Bulk Dot
Com. You can post job opening for managers, engineers, sales,
reps or other talented people you need. ...Or one can post their resume for companies who are looking to add talented
people to their staff.
Do you have a position you need to
fill?? visit the
Job
Fair.
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"The
standard industry reference on packaging materials and
engineering, presenting all basic engineering aspects of
packaging..."
Designed
for a customer in the food processing industry, the special
weighfeeder is sanitary-grade and compatible with high pressure
wash-down environments.
The
term extrusion refers to screw-machinery based modular processes,
enabling continuous processing and modification of materials.
Extrusion is considered a future key technology especially in the
food processing, animal feed manufacturing and pharmaceutical
industries. The Buhler Group, being heavily involved in food
processing technology, understands therefore extrusion as an
important growth area for their business.