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CI CyberNews, Vol. 8 No. 10
BASIC MACHINERY APPOINTS ROGERS SALES MANAGER
Basic Machinery Co., Inc. recently appointed Ray Rogers its Southwest regional sales manager. Rogers comes to Basic with 35 years of application engineering and sales experience in robotics and material handling. He began his career selling to the power generating and brick industries. He transitioned to the semiconductor and electronics industries, designing and building robotic manufacturing and assembly systems, and then took that experience and moved into the general automation industry to build robotic systems for palletizing. For more information, call (888) 522-7420 or (919) 663-2244, fax (919) 663-2172, or e-mail ray_rogers@basicmachinery.com.
CERADYNE REPORTS 2006 FINANCIAL RESULTS Ceradyne, Inc. recently reported results for the fourth quarter and 12 months ended December 31, 2006. Sales for the fourth quarter 2006 increased 56.6% to a record $178.7 million from $114.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 135.1% to a record $37.7 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $16.1 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2006, increased to a record $662.9 million, up 80.0% from $368.3 million in 2005. Net income for the year increased to $128.4 million, or $4.69 per diluted share, from $46.8 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2005. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, was up 174.5% over last year, and earnings per diluted share for 2006 increased 152.2% compared to 2005. Additional details are available at www.ceradyne.com.
ELIANE RECEIVES AWARDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Eliane Ceramic Tiles recently received three awards for environmental protection programs at its manufacturing plants in Brazil. In recognition of outstanding initiatives in environmental protection, Eliane received the Fritz Muller award, which is granted annually by the Santa Catarina state environmental protection agency (FATMA). The Ecology award, granted by publishing company Editora Expressao, was awarded in recognition of the recycling material program for private companies. Finally, the Sustainable Development award was granted by the Brazilian National Manufacturers’ Association. Eliane has created a set of goals and objectives to reduce and prevent hazards, recycle processed materials, and reduce the extraction of raw materials from nature by identifying every aspect that can damage the environment during the manufacturing of ceramic and porcelain tile. For additional information, call (972) 481-7854, fax (972) 481-7855, e-mail info@elianeusa.com or visit www.elianeusa.com.
PREMDAS ELECTED TO FERRO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ferro Corp. recently announced that it has elected Perry W. Premdas to its board of directors. Subject to formal confirmation of his “independence” under the board’s independence guidelines, the board also appointed Premdas to serve on its audit and finance committees. The election increases the number of members of Ferro’s board to 10. In addition, Alberto Weisser, a member of Ferro’s board of directors since 2000, has informed the company that he will retire from the board, due to the time demands of other business obligations, when his current term expires at the company’s 2007 annual meeting. For more information, visit www.ferro.com.
INGREDIENT MASTERS LAUNCHES INTERNET-BASED SYSTEM
Ingredient Masters has introduced a batching system with Internet-based programming, monitoring and diagnostics capabilities. The fully automated, self-contained system is customized to the application. It uses an Allen-Bradley PLC for the input of up to 100 recurring process recipes, as well as a variety of QC functions. Weighing accuracy is ± .02 lb per ingredient on a 1000-lb recipe, and systems use three or more polyethylene dispensers, each with capacities of between 3.5 and 100 cu ft. With a footprint of just 8 x 30 ft for a five-dispenser system, it is particularly beneficial for applications where space is at a premium. In addition to the in-line dispenser configuration, the system can be set up with modular dispensers to accommodate non-recurring recipes. For additional information, call (888) 345-4729 or (513) 231-7432, or visit www.ingredientmasters.com.
LAEIS ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES
On April 1, 2007, the management of LAEIS GmbH, Wecker, Luxembourg, will be taken over by the head of the technical department, Ralph Lutz, and the head of the sales department, Horst Schmitt. Lutz’s technical department will then comprise development and design, plant engineering, purchase, assembly, commissioning, and service. Schmitt’s commercial division will comprise sales (new machines and spare parts), financing and accounting, human resources, and business development. The new general managers have detailed knowledge of the company, and they have proven their managerial competence. Managing Director Karl Eping will leave LAEIS on March 31, 2007. According to LAEIS, he has run the company with skill, diplomacy and competence through very critical periods, and has strengthened its position as a successful supplier in the international business. LAEIS’ website is located at www.laeis-gmbh.com.
LAFARGE ROOFING ACQUIRED BY PAI
PAI partners and Lafarge have completed the sale of Lafarge Roofing to PAI partners for an enterprise value of €2.4 billion (~ $3.4 billion). Lafarge has reinvested a 35% stake in the new entity. Lafarge Roofing manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of concrete and clay tiles for pitched roofs, roofing components and chimney systems for new build and renovation purposes. Expected net sales and proforma EBITDA are €1.6 billion (~ $2.1 billion) and €268 million (~ $354 million), respectively, for FY 2006. “The 35% stake that we have decided to take in the capital of the new entity demonstrates that we want to take part in its future success by maintaining a link with this activity,” said Bruno Lafont, chief executive officer of Lafarge. “We are very pleased to be shareholders alongside PAI, who offered the best solution for this activity and its employees.”
For more information, visit www.lafarge.com or www.paipartners.com.
SPONSORED BY:
Photo Finish
Computer-driven machine tools like computerized numerical control (CNC) machining, ultrasonic machining and laser cutting technologies have revolutionized the way precision components are machined. However, these advanced equipment systems often come with high price tags, time-consuming setup requirements and increased labor costs. A new alternative has recently been developed. Called the Photo-Machining Process (PMP), it provides a lower cost alternative to conventional machining for many applications. Learn more about Photo-Machining in our March cover story.
Voltage Matters
Voltage impacts both kiln operation and performance, and misunderstandings abound. Three important considerations are low voltage, incorrect voltage, and how to mitigate or resolve voltage problems. Simply put, voltage is the amount of pressure that pushes electrons down a wire. Find out how you should Get Charged Up in the latest edition of Pottery Production Practices.
CyberTip Looking for a previously run news item? Simply visit CI's website and use the search box at the top of the page!
Online Calendar CI's full Calendar of Events is available online to help you keep track of all the latest trade shows and seminars.
CHARTER SPONSOR
Mohr Corp. provides ceramic and machinery services to both buyer and seller, from the sale of one machine to entire factories, with its professionally established brokering, liquidation and appraisal organization. For more information, visit www.mohrcorp.com.
ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
Insaco is a precision machining company that provides finished pieces to customers' specifications from ultra hard materials, including oxide ceramics, nitrides, carbides and quartz, and especially industrial sapphire. NEW capability allows the company to machine within a 102” x 31” x 70” envelope and still hold tight tolerances. Visit www.insaco.com.
All statements about the companies/products included in this newsletter are manufacturers' claims, and neither CI CyberNews nor Ceramic Industry endorses any of the products mentioned.
