NEWS
Dollins Tool joins Swiss
group Mold & Robotics Group of Switzerland has acquired Dollins Tool, based in Independence, MO, USA. Dollins makes multi-cavity injection moulds for high-speed packaging applications. It is joining Swiss auto-
mation and tool manu- facturer Müller and the North American CBW Automation, an automa- tion company based in Fort Collins, CO, USA. Müller operates a mould- making and automation business for thin wall packaging with special know-how in in-mould labelling. It is the platform company of the recently founded Mold & Robotics Group, which has its headquarters in Conthey, Switzerland. �
www.dollins.com �
www.muller-iml.com
TactoTek gets strong financial support
Some big corporate names from the financial and automotive worlds have provided backing to Finland-based TactoTek, which has been developing injection moulded structural electronics (IMSE). In February, TactoTek closed a new $23m round of funding, which attracted new strategic investors: Ascend Capital Partners, Nanogate and Plastic Omnium. There was also continuing participation from previous investors, including Conor Venture Partners and Faurecia Ventures. TactoTek’s IMSE technol- ogy integrates printed circuitry and electronic components into 3D injection moulded parts. A major application area is automotive electronics, providing functionality to surfaces and also for
unconventional locations and uses. The company is also targeting the appliances and wearable/IoT markets. “Our new investors reflect the globalisation of - and expanding use cases for - IMSE solutions,” said Jussi Harvela, TactoTek’s CEO. “Ascend brings expertise in European and Asian automotive markets; Nanogate’s high perfor- mance surfaces are promi- nent in appliance markets as well as automotive; and Plastic Omnium is a global leader in several automotive exterior segments, including intelligent bumpers and light, reactive tailgates. This is the second investment in TactoTek by global automo- tive interiors leader, Faurecia, and reflects our deepening strategic cooperation. In this round we augmented equity funding with debt instru- ments from Nordea Bank,
and grants from Business Finland and ELY Center.” TactoTek said it will use the funding proceeds to accelerate growth, including expanding operations and production capacity in its Oulu, Finland, headquarters, and locating engineering and project management teams close to customers in Central Europe and else- where. The company is also expanding its presence in Asia and North America. Félicie Burelle, Senior
Executive VP – Strategy & Development, Plastic Omnium, said: “Plastic Omnium’s investment in Tactotek is consistent with our innovation strategy for smarter connected vehicles. Thanks to this unique plastronics technology, we will continue our develop- ments to enrich our exterior body modules.” �
www.tactotek.com
Newell to sell off plastics businesses
US consumer goods giant Newell Brands is considering the sale of injection moulder Rubber- maid and other plastics-related businesses. The group’s core sales growth in 2017 was
expected to be 0.8%, lower than previous guidance of 1.5-2.0%, said Newell, which has been facing pressure from major institutional shareholders. It said it will “explore a series of strategic initiatives to accelerate its transforma- tion plan, improve operational performance and enhance shareholder value”.
Newell is considering options for industrial and commercial product assets, including Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Waddington, Process Solutions and Mapa. It is also looking at divestment of Its smaller consumer businesses,
12 INJECTION WORLD | March 2018
including Rubbermaid Outdoor, Rawlings, Goody, Closet, Refuse and Garage, and US Playing Cards.
Divesting these businesses would allow Newell to focus its portfolio on nine core consumer divisions with approximately $11bn in net sales. Rubbermaid is one of North
America’s largest injection moulders. It manufactures a diverse range of products for various markets, including homeware, commercial and industrial. �
www.newellbrands.com �
www.rubbermaid.com
www.injectionworld.com
Rubbermaid makes products for commercial markets
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