Page 10 - MetalForming October 2009

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NewsFrontss
Facilities
Mate Opens New and Expanded European Headquarters
CNC punch-press tooling manufacturer Mate Preci- sion Tooling, Anoka, MN, has opened a new and expanded European head- quarters and manufacturing facility in Frankfurt, Ger- many. The 1500-sq.-m facility includes administra- tive offices, production operations and a 450-sq.-m product training center. Mate first set up shop in Germany in 1992.
FTI Relocates to Burlington, Ontario
Forming Technologies Inc. (FTI), developer of soft- ware for the design, simula- tion and costing of sheet- metal components, has relocated to a new, larger facility in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The new location is nearly double the size of its previous home in Oakville, Ontario, to enable expansion of its develop- ment and sales teams.
California Metalformer Adds Two New Facilities in Mexico
Walker Corporation, Ontario, CA, acquired Spe- cialty International de Mexi- co, in Monclova, and pur- chased the equipment and leased the facilities former- ly occupied by Monterrey Metal Products in Apodaca, Monterrey. Both locations will operate as Walker Spe- cialty International de Mexi- co, a division of Walker Cor- poration. The firm provides high-volume progressive-die
stamping, mid-range stamp- ing, automated welding and assembly, metal fabrication and coating services.
Wilson Tool Launches South African Affiliate
Wilson Tool Intl., White Bear Lake, MN, a manufac- turer of tooling systems for punch presses and press brakes, and punch and die components for metal stamping, has launched Wilson Tool South Africa Ltd., in Johannesburg.
The new office will over- see operations in the region, offering tooling, sales and support.
Performance-Based
Tax Credits, Training Grants Fuel Metal Spinner’s Expansion Plans
KIHM Metal Technologies, Inc., Brazil, IN, announced plans to invest more than $530,000 to expand its manufacturing operations, upgrade equipment and add new production shifts through the expansion efforts. One reason for the expansion: to help prepare the firm to take on a new project to manufacture “fire bottles,” part of a fire-suppressant system for aircraft crews.
Company co-owner Bill Kaupp expects the project to result in the hiring of another 40 to 50 employees over the next few years. To support KIHM’s expansion efforts, the Indiana Eco- nomic Development Corpo- ration offered the firm up to $350,000 in performance- based tax credits and $39,500 in training grants, based on its job-creation plans.