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INDUSTRY NEWS TRI Welcomes Returning Members The Board of Directors of the Institute has approved the membership applications of three companies who are returning to TRI membership. Two companies are in the Active (refractory manufacturer) category. Plibrico Company LLC, located in Chicago, will be represented by Jim Eckert. Wesco Refractories Inc. in Ft. Worth, Texas will be represented by Dick Showmaker. The third returning member, Alcon Tool Company of Akron, Ohio, has joined as an Associate Member and will be represented by Randy Dickson. We are pleased to welcome all these folks back to TRI and look forward to working with them in the future. Almatis appoints new CEO, Buys Out Stake in ACC Martin Laudenbach has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Almatis. He succeeds Hervé de Carmoy, who as Executive Chairman has been the interim head of the company since the end of November of last year, when former CEO Oscar Groomes stepped down from his position. Hervé de Carmoy, who will reassume his role as non-executive Chairman of the Almatis Board of Directors, states: “With the appointment of Mr. Laudenbach we have successfully completed the transfer of leadership. He brings to Almatis a wealth of expertise from numerous and varied positions in the global chemicals industry which will significantly enhance the entire business.” Over the last fourteen years Mr. Laudenbach has worked in senior executive roles in Europe, America and Asia. He led the expansion of BASF’s global automotive coatings business. Most recently, Mr. Laudenbach headed BASF’s Fine Chemicals Division. In other Almatis news, the company announced it has acquired the 40 percent stake held by ACC in their joint venture, Almatis ACC Ltd. The Kolkata-based company, which processes tabular alumina for the Indian refractories, ceramics and polishing markets, has now become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Almatis. By mutual agreement, Almatis will cease using the name “ACC” and the “ACC” logo as part of its own name and brand within six months after the closing date. The name of the successor company will be announced later. RHI AG Completes Acquisition of Monofrax On 19 December 2006, RHI signed a contract with Vesuvius Crucible Company regarding the acquisition of all relevant assets of Monofrax Inc., which, in addition to fixed assets, also comprises all intangible assets and the entire operating business. On February 1, 2007 the transaction was closed, having solved all conditions precedent, including the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities. RHI has established the new legal entity RHI Monofrax Ltd. for the acquisition of the assets. Monofrax produces fused cast refractories products in the USA which are used primarily in the glass industry. In 2005, Monofrax reported annual revenue of $45 million in the USA, Asia/Pacific and Europe. Irvona, PA Plant Equipment Auction Harry Davis & Co. will conduct an auction of bulk material processing and refractory equipment at the Irvona, Pennsylvania plant of TYK America, Inc. The auction will be held Thursday, March 1, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the plant which is off PA Rt. 53. Call Harry Davis & Co. at (800) 775-2289 or online go to: www.harrydavis.com for more information. Productivity, Trade Deficit Up Manufacturing Productivity grew 3.9% in 2006. At the same time, workers real compensation increased 2.3%, the fastest pace in three years. Also, in 2006 the U.S. trade deficit rose 6.5% to $764 billion. That amounts to 5.8% of GDP, the same as it was in 2005. the unemployment rate at the end of 2006 was 4.6%. TRI members should be reserving May 16-18, 2007 on their calendars for the TRI Spring Membership Meeting. Registration materials will be available soon. The meeting will be held at the Kings Mill Resort in historic Williamsburg, Virginia. REGULATORY/LEGAL Florida Appellate Court Upholds Asbestos/Silica Reform Law. In a victory for industry, a Florida appellate court has ruled that the state’s asbestos and silica medical criteria law is constitutional. The plaintiff had challenged the law, which gives priority to those who are ill and bars others from bringing a lawsuit until they have an asbestos or silica-related disease. Seeking to nullify the statute, the plaintiff argued that applying the law retroactively to her claim was unconstitutional because it deprived her of a vested right. The court rejected plaintiff’s argument, finding that the law did not impair or eliminate the plaintiff’s right to sue but rather set forth procedures a plaintiff must follow to file or maintain a lawsuit. LEGISLATIVE Energy seems to be a topic du jour after being put on the back burner by policymakers for the last decade or more. The National Association of Manufacturers last week announced its suggested comprehensive strategy for energy security for American competitiveness. It calls for policies which: • Make a national commitment to further reducing the Energy efficiency in the United States has doubled since 1970, however, our country’s need for energy has risen 47% due to a growing economy. MEETINGS Indianapolis Convention Center |