Piranha Hose expands factory in Cadillac, Mich.
Piranha Hose Products Inc. has expanded its plant in Cadillac, Mich., making use of the city's Industrial Facilities Tax exemption.
Over an 18-month period, the maker of thermoplastic, reinforced hose invested about $2 million to expand its factory by 29,000 square feet to about 70,000 square feet and to add equipment, according to President Bob Black. Piranha, a unit of Kuriyama of America Inc., now employs more than 100 and has added most of the 25 workers required by the tax break, he said.
The firm makes hose for a number of markets, including sewer cleaning, hydraulic and high-pressure airless pain spray applications.
BFS to open distribution center in Jacksonville
Bridgestone/Firestone plans to invest about $44 million to open a 1 million-sq.-ft. distribution center at Cecil Commerce Center North in Jacksonville, Fla.
The project will create about 250 jobs within 36 months of completion of the facility, resulting in an expected annual payroll of an estimated $9.5 million, BFS said. The project also will indirectly result in the creation of approximately 220 jobs in the transportation and maritime sectors at the Jacksonville Port Authority with salaries of about $42,000.
IRSG accepts 4 members for its Panel of Associates
The International Rubber Study Group has admitted four members to its Panel of Associates.
The new members are Wurfbain Nordmann, a Hamburg, Germany-based rubber distributing and trading house, part of the RCMA Commodities Asia Group; Aisling Analytics Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based hedge fund manager specializing in commodity-related investments; Mavelle S.A., part of the Pajonales Organization, an agricultural and agro-industrial entrepreneurial conglomerate co-owned by Corporacion Financiera del Valle S.A., Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia and the Ingenio Azucarero Providencia S.A.; and the Joint Asian Derivatives Exchange, an electronic commodity derivatives exchange that is a joint venture of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Singapore Exchange.
Hankook increases prices on most of its tire lines
Hankook Tire America Corp. has increased prices by up to 5 percent on its full line of passenger, high performance, light truck and medium truck tires.
The company said the amount of the increase varies by product line and/or size. The price hikes took effect July 1 and reflect rising costs in raw materials, particularly petroleum products and natural rubber, as well as higher costs in transportation and general operating expenses, according to Hankook.
Rhein Chemie to boost prices for its product line
Rhein Chemie Corp. said it will increase prices across all rubber division product lines effective July 1 or as existing contracts allow.
The hikes vary and are dependent on the product lines, the company said. While raw material cost increases factor into the price hikes, the firm said the need to invest in technology and develop expertise also are behind the changes.
In brief
Armacell L.L.C. has added Nott-Atwater Co. as an authorized distributor/fabricator of its Ensolite Product line...``Inside Business'' magazine awarded Goodyear the 2006 Manny Award for New Product Development and Innovation for its Fortera tire...Lauren Manufacturing Co. was certified for ISO 14001 for effective environmental management systems...Pell Rubber Co. launched a new Web site at www.pellrubber.com...Advanced Elastomer Systems L.P. received certification to ISO/TS 16949:2002, which focuses on continual improvement and customer satisfaction.