ReTec 2017 opens this week

The ReTEC 2017 trade fair, taking place on 25-27 April in Augsburg, Germany, is a major meeting point for the world of used machine tools and equipment. Over three days, exhibitors at ReTEC will present preowned machinery from all sectors of industry in halls 5, 6 and 7. Trade associations and organisations, with their information and members, will also be represented at the fair. The specialist sponsor of ReTEC is the FDM (German Trade Association for Machine Tools and Tooling), with further support from the EAMTM (European Association of Machine Tool Merchants).
As always, MTI will be exhibiting at ReTEC (hall 5, stand E02). Along with handing out copies of its show issue, visitors to the MTI stand will be able to pick up a special brochure that MTI has published on behalf of the British branch of the EAMTM, showcasing the organisation’s UK members. Copies of the brochure will also be on the EAMTM stand (hall 5, stand E18). ReTEC is hosted by the trade fair organiser, AFAG, in co-operation with Hess GmbH. From this year, the show will alternate annually between Augsburg and Essen.
For further information www.retec-fair.com

PP expands

A new £1m factory extension has been unveiled by PP Control & Automation as the company singled its intention to double sales from £20m to £40m by 2021. The company, which works with machine builders around the world, has added a further 1000 sq m of production space to its existing 4,500 sq m facility in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, in order to facilitate growth in new technology markets and interest from a wider international customer base.
For further information
www.ppcanda.com

Q1 sales up

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK, has reported stronger than expected first quarter sales. Machine deliveries and new machine tool orders for Q1 2017 were up 78% and 30% respectively on the year before. Among the reasons is a number of sales relating to large-capacity horizontal borers, double-column milling machines and vertical-turning lathes, most notably from manufacturers operating in the nuclear sector. In addition, the decision by Mills to offer customers the Siemens control option across its range of machining centres has paid dividends and resulted in a number of sales, most notably from new aerospace component customers.
For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

Quaker and Houghton combine

Quaker Chemical Corp and Houghton International Inc, companies with a combined 250-year history as providers of metalworking cutting fluids and coolants, have executed a definitive agreement to merge. Both companies are headquartered in the Philadelphia area. Under the terms of the agreement, Houghton International shareholders will receive $172.5m of cash and 24.5% ownership of the combined company, representing approximately 4.3 million shares of newly-issued Quaker Chemical stock. In addition, Quaker Chemical will assume Houghton International’s debt and cash, with net debt of approximately $690m at year-end 2016.
For further information
www.quakerchem.com

Stratasys invests in LPW Technology

LPW Technology has received a strategic investment from Stratasys to develop end-to-end metal powder solutions for additive manufacturing. As a result, LPW plans to invest in excess of £20m over the next two years, which will be focused on establishing new facilities in both the UK and US. In bringing Stratasys on board as a strategic investor, LPW remains majority-owned by founder Dr Phil Carroll, who will continue to lead the business supported by LPW’s independent management team. The Stratasys investment represents the first consolidated partnership arrangement in LPW’s approach of developing close working relationships with 3D printing machine manufacturers.
For further information www.lpwtechnology.com