MANUFACTURER NEWS
Sullair acquires Australian compressor maker
Sullair Corp. has acquired Champion Compressors, an Australian designer, manufacturer and distributor of compressed air products. Steven Oswald, president of Sullair, said the two companies develop products that compete in different compressor market niches. The acquisition will expand Sullair’s product offering in Australia and New Zealand and make Champion products more accessible in global markets, Oswald said. Champion, which has seven locations in Australia, has held a license and supply agreement with Sullair since 1993. Sullair is headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana.
Hitachi to market independently in Europe
Hitachi Construction Machinery has announced it will begin operating as an independent marketing entity in Europe in January. The company currently sells equipment in Europe through a joint venture with Fiat SpA. Hitachi says it will introduce 29 models in Europe next year.
ArvinMeritor selling off-highway axle business
ArvinMeritor announced Thursday it will sell its off-highway axle business to Axle Tech International. The transaction includes manufacturing sites at Oshkosh, Wis., and St. Etienne, France, and planetary axle operations in Osasco, Brazil, and Seoul, South Korea. The off-highway axle business primarily manufactures planetary axles. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Linamar acquires Skyjack
A major Skyjack shareholder, Linamar Corporation, has acquired the Canadian scissor lift manufacturer. Skyjack said its new owners will provide a secure financial base and offer benefits such as access to capital, worldwide manufacturing support and the ability to offer leasing and a variety of financing options. Linamar is a manufacturer of precision-machined components and assemblies for automotive and agricultural equipment.
Komatsu, Hitachi to standardize excavator components
Komatsu and Hitachi have announced they will standardize components used in large and mini hydraulic excavators. Hitachi will produce components for 100-ton-class hydraulic excavators, while Komatsu will manufacture parts for mini excavators. The companies said they expect the move to reduce costs 10 percent.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Manitowoc last week named Timothy Wood senior vice president and chief financial officer. He replaces corporate treasurer Carl Laurino, who has been interim chief financial officer since May, when Glen Tellock was named president and general manager of Manitowoc’s crane group.
ECO-Block, a manufacturer of insulating concrete forms, has named Vera Novak to its new environmental specialist position. Novak will promote green building efforts in North America. She will work with agencies such as EPA and the Department of Energy to create awareness of the benefits of ECO-Block.
