news


Two companies fined in automotive lighting cartel


The European Commission (EC) has fined two of the three firms that participated in a cartel in the automotive after-market for original equipment over the course of three years. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that the firms “harmed car and commercial vehicle manufac- turers by colluding instead of competing against each other”. Automotive Lighting and Hella will pay €16,347,000 and €10,397,000 respectively, after parts of their fines were remitted for co-operating with the enquiry. Valeo escaped a €30.5m fine because it revealed the cartel to the


European Economic Area. This included discussing quotes for tenders and negotiation strate- gies and exchanging informa- tion on negotiations with customers.


This is one of many EC


authorities. The three companies


colluded to fix prices and other trading conditions for the supply of vehicle lighting systems for passenger and commercial vehicles after the end of mass production of specific models across the


investigations into suspected cartels in the automotive parts sector. It has already fined suppliers of automotive bearings, wire harnesses, flexible foam for car seats, parking heaters in cars and trucks, alternators and starters, and air conditioning and engine cooling systems. Other cases are still in progress. ❙ www.europa.eu


MW Industries acquires Tri-Star


MW Industries, a US maker of highly engineered springs, speciality fasteners, machined parts and other precision components, has bought Tri-Star Industries, which specialises in precision threaded inserts for plastics. Terms were not disclosed. This continues a series of acquisi-


tions by MW, with more said to be in the pipeline. Tri-Star is based in Berlin, Connecticut. As well as standard and custom threaded inserts and compression limiters in brass, steel, aluminium and stainless steel for plastic applications, it produces high-volume screw


machine products and CNC precision-turned components. MW said that bringing Tri-Star into its operations will enable it to offer customers a wider range of products. MW makes investments in


companies with US private equity firm Genstar Capital. ❙ www.mw-ind.com


TactoTek moves to new HQ


TactoTek, a specialist in injection moulded struc- tural electronics (IMSEs), has opened its new manufacturing and corporate headquarters facilities at Oulu, Finland. This follows a period of evaluation after rapid growth in the company’s project pipeline since 2016. The European Regional Development Fund and the EU’s Horizon 2020 pro- gramme both contributed to the investment. The facility is purpose-


built for IMSEs, according to Marko Suo-Anttila, SVP of engineering. “It uniquely contains all production steps of the IMSE manufacturing process, including printing decoration and electronics, surface mounting electronic components, high pressure thermoforming and injection moulding,” he noted. IMSEs integrate printed


circuitry and electronic components into 3D injection moulded devices for various applications. ❙ www.tactotek.com


Yanfeng opens new Czech plant for interiors


Yanfeng Automotive Interiors’ new plant in Planá nad Lužnicí


China’s Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) opened its new production plant in the Czech town of Planá nad Lužnicí on 8 June, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Chinese ambassador. The plant will produce instrument panels and door panels for passenger cars. According to YFAI, this facility will be


4 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2017


one of the Tábor region’s largest employers, with the workforce slated to grow from 170 to 300 by early 2018. YFAI plans to create up to 500 new jobs there over the next few years. It also has a technical centre and a business centre in Slovakia and further production sites in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. ❙ www.yfai.com


www.injectionworld.com


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