INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Turning convention on its head

GF Machining Solutions, Fraisa, and Blaser Swisslube have teamed up to develop the GR3 graphite machining system. Designed for wet-machining graphite operations, the system can also cut other materials on the same machine, even in the same set-up. According to GFMS, the result is an efficient process that is able to achieve 0.005 mm tolerances while providing a healthier work environment and lower tooling costs.

“It’s a perfect interplay between machine, metalworking fluid, filtration and tooling,” says Martin Spencer, managing director at GF Machining Solutions (UK). “With this most recent innovation from GFMS, we have not only solved the problem of dust build-up, but also now allow a single machine to be used for graphite, copper and steel machining.”
For further information www.gfms.com

ATA acquires cutting tool firm ITC

ATA, an Irish precision engineering multinational, has acquired UK-based cutting tool manufacturer and distributor Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), as well as Dutch manufacturer Van Hoorn Carbide. Along with ATA’s existing operations in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the US, the transactions bring the group’s pro-forma 2022 revenue to circa €100m and its global headcount to circa 500.

The transactions significantly enhance ATA’s reach and expertise in the carbide round tool market, the largest segment of the more than $20bn global cutting tool arena. Ralph
Van Hoorn, managing director of Van Hoorn Carbide, and Peter Graves, managing director of ITC, will continue in their current roles and join the ATA senior management team.
For further information www.atagroup.com

Haier Europe opens dishwasher factory

Haier Europe, part of Haier Smart Home, is expanding its manufacturing footprint with a new dishwasher factory at the company’s industrial site in Eskişehir, Turkey. With an investment of more than €40m, the facility will have capacity of 1 million units per year. The new plant features improved production capacity thanks to high automation levels with operating robots and 100% automatic measuring systems.

“Haier Europe keeps over-performing the market in terms of products and brands leadership, and is the fastest growing company in Europe,” says Yannick Fierling, CEO at Haier Europe. “The expansion of our industrial park in Turkey marks another step in the company’s growth strategy, and the investments are fully in line with our philosophy of zero distance to consumers.”
For further information www.haier-europe.com

iGas opens two plants in Abu Dhabi

iGas USA, one the world’s largest refrigerant gas suppliers, has announced the opening of two state-of-the-art production facilities in Abu Dhabi: a 2 million sq ft newly constructed refrigerant production facility located on 40 acres of land; and an 80,000 sq ft cylinder production facility with fully automated production lines set to manufacture DOT disposable refrigerant cylinders. The refrigerant production facility aims to manufacture 40,000 MTs of R32 annually, while the cylinder production capacity in the new DOT disposable refrigerant cylinder facility will reach 4 million cylinders per year.
For further information www.igasusa.com

Beko unveils new investment

Beko Egypt for home appliances, a subsidiary of Arçelik, has laid the foundation stone for its first factory in Egypt at the 10th of Ramadan Industrial Zone, with a land allocation of 114,000 sq m. The investment by Beko, which has its headquarters in Turkey, marks a significant milestone and will create more than 2000 jobs. In addition, the factory will develop local supplier ecosystems to deliver sustainable value for all industries while supporting the government’s long-term strategy to drive industrial localisation and establish Egypt as a significant production and export hub to overseas markets.

Scheduled to begin operations by Q4 2023, the ‘zero waste’ plant is projected to manufacture an annual capacity of 1.5 million household appliances, more than 60% planned for export to Europe, the Middle East and Africa as ‘Made in Egypt’, with around $250m in annual export potential. The first phase of the investment will focus on producing eco-friendly cookers and refrigerators.
For further information www.beko.com