Extrusion International 3-2018

11 Extrusion International 3/2018 Activities in North America strengthened The Reifenhäuser Group presented an initial overview of its up- coming strategic plans at the NPE2018. “We are expanding and have a lot on the agenda,” says Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group. “Our showing at this year’s NPE was bigger than ever before: Reifenhäuser presented its full product port- folio at a booth that’s over 400 square meters in size, and had more technical and sales staff present.” This expanded presence is a sign of things to come: “We will significantly strengthen our activities in North America, ramping up sales as well as service,” adds Reifenhäuser. At NPE show the company presented its new business unit Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems. The Group paved the way for this development in January by ac- quiring EDS, an international supplier of high-end extrusion tools and special dies. “Whenwe acquired EDS, we acquired significant design expertise in dies and film tools. Thanks to the tailor-made EDS product range, our manufacturing expertise, and our global sales structures, we can now serve our customers in an even more targeted and efficient way,” says Reifenhäuser. The Reifenhäuser Group has a strong foothold as machine builder, addressed by the Reifenhäuser Blown Film, Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating, and Reifenhäuser Reicofil business units. By adding EDS to the Group, the family business took its competencies one step fur- ther; Reifenhäuser is now developing the components area into its own business unit. In line with this, the machine builder Reifenhäuser presented it- self as a component supplier for the first time at this year’s NPE. The new Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems business unit comprises the activities of Reiloy, of the extruder unit, EDS, and Enka Tecni- ca. Extrusion Systems develops and manufactures parts and com- ponents that convey and shape polymer such as screws, barrels, film tools, extruders, screen changers, spunbond fabric tools, and spinnerets. Uwe Gaedike, managing director of the new business unit says: “The new Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems business unit operates alongside our established extrusion machinery busi- ness unit. Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems is well-positioned to optimally serve customers and relevant markets with extrusion components. Thanks to our global presence, customers benefit worldwide: They can expect nothing but state-of-the-art technol- ogy, the best quality, outstanding efficiency and fast delivery.“ In the past, Reifenhäuser only supplied extruders and dies for its own lines; however, Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems does not re- strict its product portfolio to customers for the machine business units. “It’s important for us to speak the same language as our custom- ers,” says Uwe Gaedike. Direct service and short delivery times are crucial. For this reason, Reifenhäuser is ramping up capacities at its site in Maize, Kansas, where it is expanding its service business for dies. “We plan to start reworking film dies and spinnerets in North America this year. In order to make that possible, we’re in- vesting in machines and devices, including our own surface plat- ing,” says Gaedike. He adds: “Another step might be to produce and offer complete assembled extruders or flat dies in the U.S. Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems will also target growth in Asia.” Reifenhäuser Gruppe www.reifenhauser.com New Subsidiary in Thailand REPI, a world leader in manufacturing of liquid colours and additives for plastics, is continuing its global expansion adding a new company in Thailand. This represents a natural step forward of the 20-year partnership with one of REPI’s historical distribu- tors in the region. Now the Group is ready to start a direct busi- ness to strengthen its potential in Asia. REPI THAI CO. LTD will take over the existing business in the ASEAN region both in the Polyurethanes and in the Thermoplas- tics business units with ambitious targets of growth in the coming years. This operation is another promising step for REPI to expand market presence in Asia and Bangkok is a strategic location to serve the surrounding countries. Thanks to the direct presence, it will be possible to offer better service and further benefits to customers. The new unit will provide commercial support and technical service to all clients in the region as well as fast colour- development capabilities, which are crucial in order to serve cus- tomers just-in-time. REPI Group is a family-owned concern, founded in 1973. From the headquarters in North Italy is being growing over the decades opening facilities in the US, Russia, UK, Thailand and establishing commercial relationships worldwide. The Group’s activity focuses on two main Business Units, Polyurethanes and Thermoplastics, which offer products and services to industries with different re- quirements and metrics. Repi S.p.A. www.repi.com , repi.thailand@repi.com REPI Inc. new subsidiary in Thailand