PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2016

PET news 6 PET planet insider Vol. 17 No. 07+08/16 www.petpla.net Otto Hofstetter AG considers expan- sion into the international market Otto Hofstetter AG has been operating with great success since 1955, and today is one of the leading providers of injec- tion moulding tools for the production of PET preforms and packaging. In order to consolidate this position in the market and to remain successful as a family-owned enterprise, Otto Hofstetter AG is committed to continued development. Against this backdrop, Otto Hofstetter is keen to explore new opportunities and perspectives in the global plastics market. To this end, Otto Hofstetter AG has signed a letter of intent with Korean family-owned enterprise Yudo. This agreement is intended to enable research into how and in which business areas closer collaboration could improve the position of both companies in the international business world. www.otto-hofstetter.swiss Agr International opens centre in Italy April 30, 2016 officially marked the opening of a newly expanded sales, training and service facility in Montecchio, Italy of Agr International, Inc. This grand opening event was attended by a number of Agr customers and a large repre- sentation of business associates and other key players within the Italian packaging industry. In addition, management from Agr International’s USA corporate headquarters took part in this event. Marco Palma, the director of Agr Europe S.R.L. hosted the ceremonies, featuring an extensive tour of the facility and an overview of the new capabilities and services that will be provided at this location. According to Palma, increased business in the region, especially North Africa and the Middle East, required Agr to consider additional space to handle their operations. The 1,100m 2 facility includes 900m 2 dedicated to service and support operations for Agr equipment and another 200m 2 housing the sales offices, conference area and training centre. The centre also includes a demonstration show room that showcases Agr’s newest and most popular products, facilities for component/small equipment repair, a section for refurbishment and re-manufacturing of legacy equipment, calibration and re-certification, equipment training and an expanded parts warehouse. The opening of the new expanded service centre in Italy is one more segment of Agr’s programme to provide acces- sible and responsive worldwide support for Agr testing and quality management equipment. The Agr headquarters and main manufacturing facility is located in Butler, PA, USA. www.agrintl.com Athena – Husky legal battle ends Husky has abandoned its appeal of the judge’s decision released April 2016 and paid a cost settlement to the defend- ants – Robert Schad, Athena, Stephen Mason (former General Manager of Niigon), and Sipa. Further, Husky has agreed that it will not contest the judgement. Originally, Husky had claimed that Athena misused confiden- tial information in designing their injection moulding systems, resulting in a patent dispute. Athena currently builds 150, 300, and 450 metric ton injec- tion moulding machines. A new 14,400 m 2 plant for just-in-time manufacturing of machines is ramping up operations. The exist- ing 3,700m 2 building houses the head office including sales and customer services. The simple and flexible machine platform is said to feature energy efficiency, process repeatability and reduced space requirements. It is built for customisation with options such as a stack mould carrier, multi-material injection, rotary table, cube, and integrated robot and hot runner controller. www.athenaautomation.com The future of plastics packaging EuPC Packaging (European Plastics Converters) is organising a conference on “The Future of Plastics Packaging”. It will take place on September 20, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. The event is intended to bring together the plastics industry, brand owners, research centres, the European Institutions and media to interchange during presentations by industry leaders, debates on potential challenges and working groups. www.eupc.org