Company Briefs (February 01, 2002)

The takeover of FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schfer AG of Schweinfurt, Germany, by the INA Group of Herzogenaurach, Germany, has been completed after approval by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and European cartel authorities, creating the world’s second-largest bearing manufacturing company, behind SKF of Gthenberg, Sweden. More details can be found at www.mro-esource.com.

Oetiker Limited, Alliston, Ont., reports that the company has moved from QS-9000 to ISO/TS 16949 certification. This is a combination of the QS-9000 and VDA-6 (European) standards and is accepted both in North America and Europe. Oetiker received its certification after a four-day audit, notes Ab Cairns, quality manager. The company develops, produces, assembles, sells and distributes hose clamps and accessories, and couplings and accessories, from two plants in Alliston.

Emerson Motion Control has announced that it is taking the Control Techniques name. Control Techniques was acquired by Emerson in 1994. In 1998, Emerson began a process of combining the operations of Emerson Motion Control and the North American, South American and Central American operations of the U.K.-based Control Techniques. Management and manufacturing came together a year later in a new facility in Eden Prairie, Minn., to serve the company’s industrial drive and motion control customers. Control Techniques can be reached by calling 952-995-8000, The company’s web site is located at www.emersonct.com.

Keary Bott has been appointed western regional sales manager for Advantage Sales Network Corp. of Mississauga, Ont. He is based in a new sales office in Langley, B.C., and also supervises sales activities at the warehouse in Edmonton. He can be reached at 604-534-7203.

Fluke Electronics Canada of Mississauga, Ont., is holding a contest to find the oldest Fluke 70 Series Digital Multimeter in the country. The first generation 70 Series was launched nearly 20 years ago. Earlier this year, Fluke launched the next generation 170 Series DMM. The contest is to celebrate the longevity of the 70 Series, as well as the ‘birth’ of the 170. The owner of the oldest 70 Series from submitted entries will win a $1,000 voucher toward Fluke products. All entries will receive a rebate coupon for their choice of $50 off the purchase of any 170 or 180 Series DMM, or a free accessory bundle with the purchase of any 170 or 180 Series DMM. Those who wish to enter but do not own a 70 Series DMM will receive their choice of three free accessory bundles worth up to $120 with any 170 Series DMM purchase. The contest ends March 29, 2002. Enter online and view contest rules and regulations at www.flukecanada.ca/genepool or call 800-363 5853 to receive an entry form.

Parker Hannifin Corp. has acquired assets associated with the global fluid management business of Dayco Industrial from Mark IV/BC Partners. The Dayco assets acquired include Imperial-Eastman products and a wide array of hydraulic and industrial hose and connectors, as well as proprietary compounding technologies for a broad range of applications. Parker also has acquired ITR SpA, an Italian manufacturer of hose, fittings and rubber compounds.

Goodrich Corporation’s Garlock Sealing Technologies has formed a marketing alliance with Transcom Inc. (TCM) of Burnsville, MN. The alliance unites the strengths of the two companies’ existing portfolios of oil seal and bearing isolator products. Combined, the companies can offer customers nearly 30,000 part numbers with well over 12 million seals, providing a single source alternative in the oil seal marketplace.

Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd. is relocating its head office to new facilities at 26 Saunders Rd. in Barrie, Ont. The 18,000 sq ft building has expanded manufacturing capabilities, training facilities, warehousing space and a larger office complex. For more information, visit www.advancedmotion.com or call 705-726-2260.

Siemens Canada of Mississauga, Ont., is undertaking a major expansion of its international transformer and large rotating overhaul services unit. The investment includes a state-of-the-art facility in Hamilton, Ont. The new building is expected to be completed by April. Recently Siemens opened a 30,000 sq ft office building on Appleby Line in Burlington, Ont., to house a variety of operations — including administration for its Technical Services division. An additional building is now being constructed next to the site to house a combined engineering, light manufacturing and service facility.

NSK Canada Mississauga, Ont., was recently awarded a Supplier of the Year Award by Bombardier’s Recreational Division, based in Valcourt, Que. NSK scored 99 out of a possible 100 points covering Bombardier’s supplier criteria in the areas of quality and delivery. In other news, organizational changes made by NSK Ltd. in Tokyo mean that NSK Canada now reports to Karou Muramoto, the new president, CEO and CFO of NSK Americas.

A revised Hydraulic Maintenance & Safety program from Gates Canada contains new information designed to minimize repairs, production downtime and worker injury. The program consists of an on-site seminar and a 72-page manual that will help maintenance managers, repair technicians and machine operators identify component weaknesses before failure. Details are available from Gates distributors or by calling 800-777-6363, or from www.gates.com/safehydraulics.

PTplace.com, an e-commerce site specifically for distributors and end users of Rockwell Automation, INA, SKF and Timken products, has launched a Canadian version of its website at www.PTplace.ca.

Elgin, Ill.-based Harting has announced that Chartwell Electronics of Markham, Ont., will be the Canadian representative and master stocking distributor of its connector line. The German company Harting has 30 subsidiary companies in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Its connectors are designed and manufactured under a zero-error philosophy, reached by implementation of fully automxated production techniques. To obtain a brochure, call Chartwell at 905-513-7100 or e-mail sales@chartwell.ca.

Technicor, a Canadian company specializing in thermoplastic components, ball bearings and wheels, has expanded its maufacturing capability. Located in Orangeville, Ont., the ISO 9001:2000 registered company has a combination of conventional and CNC machining equipment for the manufacture of precision thermoplastic components that are used in packaging machinery, conveying equipment, transportation and heavy construction equipment. Also, Technicor celebrates its 15th year in business in 2002. For details, call 800-858-1707.

SKF has acquired Magnetic Group of Liestal, Switzerland, a manufacturer of electromechanical actuators, motors, telescopic drives and control units, as well as complete actuation systems. As a result of this acquisition, SKF is now the second largest manufacturer of electric actuators and actuation systems in the world, says Christer Gyberg, president, SKF Industrial Division.

Meanwhile, the SKF bearing seals manufacturing plant in Bethlehem, Penn., will be closed at the end of March 2002. The manufacturing equipment will be transferred to SKF’s Italian seals operations. Also, on Jan. 1, 2002, SKF created a new Aero and Steel Division which includes aeroengine bearings, airframe components, CR Aerospace, Ovako steel and forgings and rings.

In other SKF developments, CR Americas, CR Asia and CR Automotive Europe have become part of the Automotive Division. CR Industrial Europe will be organized within the Industrial Division. Bearing seals, including RFT Italy, RFT Bethlehem and CR India, will be included in the Electrical Division.

Kaydon C
orp. has sold its fluid power group to an undisclosed private buyer in the hydraulic fluid power market. Kaydon continues to manufacture bearings under the Kaydon brand name in the United States and the Cooper Roller Bearings brand in the United Kingdom.

IDI Independent Distributors Inc., Mississauga, Ont., has formed a strategic alliance with IBC-IndustrialSupply Plus, Hartford, Conn. Together they have 240 industrial supply distribution locations. IDI has 95 member companies, 132 industrial supply locations, and 82 bearing and power transmission locations across Canada. IBC has 54 distributors with 108 industrial supply locations in the U.S. and Mexico. Don Knowles, IDI’ executive director, says both groups will retain their entrepreneurial independence.

The Small Motors & Motion Association has changed its name to The Motor & Motion Association. The acronym, SMMA, and the logo will remain the same. The change was made to reflect the association’s evolving role in serving the motor and motion industry.

Avon Bearings, Avon, Ohio, has provided a progress report on its extra-large bearing manufacturing cell. The building is complete, and machine tools are being installed. The company expects to begin producing bearings up to 6.1 m (240 in.) later this quarter, and is already accepting orders for extra-large bearings. It is interested in manufacturing large-diameter spur gears and performing large-diameter contracting machining. The lead time for bearings is approximately 18-20 weeks. Additional information is available by calling the company at 440-871-2500 or e-mail sales@avonbearings.com. Its website is www.avonbearings.com.MRO