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Jeco customizes pallets for large parts
PLAINFIELD, IND. (May 22, 4 p.m. EDT) -- As companies look to move bigger parts, rotational molder Jeco Plastics Products LLC is creating methods enabling the moves to be made.

Rotational molders look to grow, improve
SHANGHAI (April 30, 7 p.m. EDT) -- Looking to improve their technology and move into more high-end materials, rotational molders from across China gathered April 14-16 in Shanghai, looking to share information and learn from some of the industry’s best.

Exec urges rotomolders to back marketing
SHANGHAI (April 30, 6:55 p.m. EDT) -- Making money is approached differently in China than in the United States. For Chinese rotomolders looking to make a jump to the U.S. market, it takes a change in thinking, advises Russ Johnson, chief executive officer of China Array Plastics LLC.

Partners launch rotational molder SmaK
VANCOUVER, WASH. (April 18, 2:30 p.m. EDT) -- It’s time southwest Washington had another rotational molder, according to SmaK Plastics Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Smalley. So he and three partners started SmaK production this month in Vancouver.

$1.1 billion offer for Myers is withdrawn
AKRON, OHIO (April 4, 5:40 p.m. EDT) -- Wall Street’s ongoing credit crunch has led GS Capital Partners investment firm to withdraw its $1.1 billion offer for plastics processor Myers Industries Inc. Myers investor relations director Max Barton said that the decision “was based on GS’ review and continued weakness in broader markets in which Myers operates.”

Mexican architect envisions plastics in space
MEXICO CITY (April 4, 4:20 p.m. EDT) -- If there’s one architect in Mexico who deserves the title of the plastic industry’s friend, it’s Juan José Díaz Infante Nuñez. His plastics-dominated designs include a house he developed in the Mexican state of Durango, an observatory in Tijuana and 4,500 houses designed for, and sold to, Saudi Arabia.

OK Play boosting product range, adding plants
MEWAT, INDIA (March 31, 5:30 p.m. EDT) -- OK Play India Ltd. is in the middle of a $32 million expansion, aimed at increasing its product range for industrial and automobile customers. The expansion is related to the company’s alliance with Delano, Minn.-based rotational molder Solar Plastics Inc.

Canadian rotomolder RTS to purchase N.E.O.
AUSTINBURG, OHIO (March 31, 11 a.m. EDT) -- Rotational molder RTS Plastics Inc. is getting a U.S. manufacturing plant through the receivership of one of its suppliers. N.E.O. Plastics Inc. went into receivership Nov. 1, and RTS is buying the N.E.O. assets out for undisclosed terms.

April conferences first in China for SPI, SPE
SHANGHAI (March 28, 10:00 a.m. EDT) —- Two prominent U.S. plastics industry trade groups — the Society of Plastics Industry Inc. and the Society of Plastics Engineers — both are planning their first conferences in China this spring, in conjunction with the big April 17-20 Chinaplas 2008 trade show in Shanghai.

Toilet maker Ecoflo acquires rotomolder
NARANGBA, AUSTRALIA (March 26, 6:25 p.m. EDT) -- The acquisition of a rotational molding company will help an Australian manufacturer of environmentally friendly toilets expand into markets for other “green” products.

Johnson Outdoors opens new canoe plant
OLD TOWN, MAINE (March 19, 3:50 p.m. EDT) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. recently expanded its Old Town Canoe & Kayak operations, opening a new 144,000-square-foot facility in Old Town that includes space for thermoforming.

Simba Dickie buying bankrupt toy maker Smoby
FÜRTH, GERMANY (March 18, 9:45 a.m. EDT) -- German toy maker Simba Dickie Group will take over parts of French rival Smoby-Majorette SA, following a decision by a French court that was overseeing Smoby’s future.

Step2 buys maker of preschool toys
STREETSBORO, OHIO (Feb. 21, 3:35 p.m. EST) -- Rotational molder Step2 Co. LLC will add an early-learning toy maker to its operations, by acquiring privately owned Thinkativity Inc. of Englewood, N.J.

Meese Orbitron adds Leonardo rotomolder
MADISON, IND. (Feb. 12, 2:15 p.m. EST) -- Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. has installed North America’s first fully automated Leonardo rotational molding machine in its Madison plant. The company needs the equipment for additional capacity now and anticipated growth, said Robert Dunne, president.

New rotomolder, thermoformer to open soon
LENNOX, S.D. (Feb. 1, 12:15 p.m. EST) -- Plastics veteran Brian Rawlings is setting up a multipurpose plastics plant in Lennox. Fusion Plastics is due to start in mid-May with rotational molding and thermoforming capabilities.

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