Extrusion International USA 2-2020

33 Extrusion International 2/2020 New Director of Sales Plastic film and sheet extrusion machinery supplier Macro Engineering & Technology announced that Latin American Sales Manager Martin Baron has been promoted to the posi- tion of Director of Sales. Effective immediately, Martin will oversee all sales activities in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, working with the regional sales managers and agents. Martin is based in Macro’s headquar- ters in Mississauga, Ontario. “I’m excited for the opportunity to help Macro’s sales team to achieve further success and deliver value and quality to our clients. Macro is uniquely positioned for growth since we focus on custom-engineered equipment to suit our customer needs. We see a lot of opportunities in this area as most of our competitors are standardizing all their product lines,” Martin Bar- on commented. “I have tremendous confidence in Martin’s ability to implement and manage the sales activities, iden- tify new market opportunities, and define the actions required to generate new growth in a manner that is aligned with Macro’s fun- damental commitment to innova- tion,” says David Cui, Executive Director. Macro Engineering & Technology Inc. www.macroeng.com New Laboratory A ribbon-cutting ceremony by Nordson Corporation marked the startup of an extensively equipped process laboratory to serve the Americas market for pelletizing systems and melt de- livery equipment. Installed at an existing Nordson facility in Hickory, North Caroli- na, the new laboratory has a pelletizing linewith throughput ca- pacity up to1,000 lb/hr (450 kg/hr). The line includes a twin screw extruder, BKG ® pelletizer, Optigon™ self-cleaning process wa- ter and pellet drying system, and jet cleaner for removing poly- mer residue from die plates. Both underwater and water ring pelletizers are available for testing. Melt delivery components include three HiCon™ screen changers (backflush, continuous, and discontinuous types), a BlueFlow™ gear pump, and a Hy- Flex™ diverter valve. For evaluating materials to be processed, the facility also provides rheological analysis. “The new BKG technical center is the latest example of Nord- son’s global commitment to support the needs of customers and prospects with local, state-of-the-art laboratories,” said Kevin Tuttle, business director for the Americas. “The move is part of our company’s overall strategy for business growth and our continued investment in the BKG Americas business.” The laboratory enables existing and prospective customers to see BKG systems in operation for comparison with competing products, evaluate new formulations, carry on application de- velopment, and train equipment operators. Nordson operates process laboratories in Europe, the United States, and Asia, including BKG laboratories in Münster, Ger- many, Shanghai, China, and Chonburi, Thailand. “The new BKG laboratory in Hickory is Nordson’s first in the Americas, support- ing the rapid growth in this region for our pelletizing and melt delivery systems,” said Kevin Tuttle. Nordson Corporation www.nordson.com Nordson Polymer Processing Systems www.nordsonpolymerprocessing.com Shown at ribbon cutting, from left to right: Parke Strong, R&D Engineer; Merritt Christian, Market Development Manager; Kevin Tuttle, Business Director, Americas; Udo Gielen, Business Development Manager; Suzann Smith, OEM Sales Director BKG ® Underwater Pelletizing Line at Hickory, NC