Vendor Moves

To offer a complement to its premium Endurium slitting blades for the plastic-film conversion and extrusion markets, Specialty Blades, Inc. (Staunton, VA), finalizes its purchase of the blade business of Ceramic Technologies (Houston, TX). Ceramic Technologies coated steel blades will be sold under the Optima™ brand name. Specialty Blades will continue to develop and optimize the performance and durability of film-slitting blades for the plastic-film markets.

Appleton, WI-based converting-machinery maker CMD Corp. celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005. CMD designs and manufactures converting equipment for the flexible packaging and blown-film industries for bag and pouch production. The firm employs 165 people and specializes in advanced technology for equipment in the converting and packaging industries. This June, CMD will open a new Technology Center adjacent to its Appleton headquarters.

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, completed its acquisition April 1 of Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) through redemption of Sun Chemical Corp. 's 50-percent interest in the joint venture. KPG is now part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG). With the completion of the KPG acquisition, Kodak will implement a new GCG organization structure, consisting of two operating units, a strong regional structure and integrated sales and service forces.

Shareholders of Vancouver, BC, Canada-based prepress system provider Creo, Inc., approved the proposed acquisition of Creo by Eastman Kodak Co. As announced on Jan. 31, Kodak intends to acquire all common shares of Creo for a cash price of approximately $980 million.

Corrugated-converting machinery supplier EMBA, part of the Berg Group (Stockholm, Sweden), acquires all assets of McKinley Machinery, based in Cleveland. McKinley is a well-established manufacturer of converting machines to the North American market with more than 300 systems built in the past 25 years. The McKinley product line includes a full line of rotary diecutters and flexo folder/gluers. EMBA will establish a new McKinley Machinery, headquartered in EMBA´s North American facility in Suwanee, GA (near Atlanta).