UniPoly division to drop steel-cord belt production

FARINGTON, England (Aug. 4)—UniPoly S.A.´s Dunlop Enerka belting division will cease production of steel-cord-reinforced conveyor belts at its plant in Farington, following a long period of difficulty for the business. Dave Sudworth, group marketing manager for UniPoly, blamed the decision on slow orders, a period of equipment repairing/refurbishing in the British mining sector and competition from suppliers with low-cost production. "Demand for steel-cord belting is now so poor and prices so low because of overproduction, and the euro is so strong, we just can´t compete," Sudworth said. In the last months the Farington unit has made one belt for Australia, none for the U.S. or the United Kingdom and a minimal amount for Spain—normally a major market, Sudworth said.