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Progressive Moulded, Polywheels latest victims
CONCORD, ONTARIO (July 3, 4:40 p.m. EDT) -- Another Canadian auto supplier, Polywheels, has hit hard times, and the situation at Concord, Ontario-based Progressive Moulded Products Ltd. has grown worse.

Johnson Controls buys Plastech´s interiors unit
DETROIT (July 2, 4:30 p.m. EDT) -- Automakers are staggering from the industry’s downturn, but the auto supply business may have just regained some stability as Johnson Controls Inc. takes over the interiors operation of bankrupt Plastech Engineered Products Inc.

Ideal Tool gets new owner, somewhat-new name
MEADVILLE, PA. (July 2, 12:35 p.m. EDT) -- Joint Venture Tool & Mold LLC has acquired Ideal Tool Co. Inc., picking up new capabilities in molding, more employees, a larger customer base and a new home and name.

Plastech details uncovered despite lawyers´ efforts
DEARBORN, MICH. (June 30, 6:35 p.m. EDT) -- As the five-month, breakneck bankruptcy case of Plastech Engineered Products Inc. comes to a close, a final chapter was written last week when Crain’s Detroit Business, a sister publication of Plastics News, obtained documents Plastech’s lawyers had tried to keep private: compensation details for Brown, her husband Jim and eight other family members.

Mastercraft Cos. names new management
PHOENIX (June 27, 4:40 p.m. EDT) -- Mastercraft Cos. is using a midyear lull to restructure its management ranks and target injection molding and tool-building opportunities in medical and other markets.

Auto molders may find lifeline in medical
YORK, PA. (June 27, 3:55 p.m. EDT) -- As the auto market in North America continues to struggle due to the economic slowdown, foreign competition and gas price hikes, injection molders that supply the industry are losing margin. The solution for them may be switch to the medical-molding business, a high-margin, economic-downturn-insulated and outsourcing-resistant sector.

Firms form Sunstone to produce auto parts
TEMECULA, CALIF. (June 27, 3:25 p.m. EDT) -- Two Temecula businesses that make automobile electronics and safety systems have merged and now operate under a new identity, Sunstone Components Group Inc.

Plastech employed nine members of CEO´s family
DETROIT (June 25, 2:55 p.m. EDT)— Troubled automotive supplier Plastech Engineered Products Inc. employed nine family members of owner and Chief Executive Officer Julie Brown. A list outlining the employment of Brown family members at the Dearborn, Mich.-based injection molder was attached to the proposed $9.25 million settlement between Brown and some of Plastech’s lenders filed in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit.

Meridian exits Ford lighting plant talks
SANDUSKY, OHIO (June 24, 6:15 p.m. EDT) -- Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. and Ford Motor Co. have ended discussions for the auto supplier to buy Ford’s lighting plant in Sandusky.

Growth prompts GMB to increase space in Ga.
CUMMING, GA. (June 24, 6:10 p.m. EDT) -- Custom injection molder GMB Plastics Inc. is nearly doubling its operations, refurbishing a 20,000-square-foot building in Cumming so its consumer product and automotive manufacturing areas will be housed in separate buildings.

Progressive Moulded Products cites high debt level
CONCORD, ONTARIO (Updated June 24, 1:15 p.m. EDT) -- Auto supplier Progressive Moulded Products Ltd. is seeking protection from creditors in both the U.S. and Canada, citing a high debt level that has led to problems getting additional contracts and leeway in credit from banks or key suppliers.

U.S. automakers revving up Mexico molders
MEXICO CITY (June 20, 1:25 p.m. EDT) -- Mexican plastic processors suddenly find themselves with myriad business opportunities, thanks to a combination of circumstances, both planned and unforeseen.

Auto molder Catalina to shut UFE plant
CANTON, MICH. (June 20, 11:45 p.m. EDT) -- A slowdown in the auto industry is forcing Catalina Precision Products Inc. of Canton to close one of its newly acquired UFE Inc. injection molding plants in Wisconsin. But a second plant reported to be closing in Stillwater, Minn., will remain open.

Trustees ask judge to block Plastech bonuses
DETROIT (June 19, 11:10 p.m. EDT) -- U.S. Trustee Habbo Fokkena, assigned to the Plastech Engineered Products Inc. Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, is asking a judge to block a motion that would arrange to pay Plastech management a $1 million bonus.

RayConnect adding machinery, staff
ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH. (June 18, 4:55 p.m. EDT) -- French auto supplier A. Raymond Inc. will invest $14.5 million to expand its RayConnect Inc. subsidiary in Rochester Hills, adding 37 jobs along with injection molding presses and equipment.

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