February 2010 - Industry Today - Leader in Manufacturing & Industry News

Magazine Issue February 2010

On The Rise

Santal Equipamento S/A

The Sweet Taste of Success

Santal has been supplying sugar cane growers with some of the most advanced planting, harvesting and transporting equipment since it was founded 50 years ago. Its innovative products have helped make Brazil the world's second-biggest producer of ethanol, Jeffrey Matthews…

Master Lock Company

The Right Combination

A Fortune Brands Company, Master Lock is the largest global manufacturer and marketer of padlocks and other portable security solutions. Click here to read the complete illustrated article as originally published or scroll down to read the text article.

Spaceport America

The Outer Limits

Spaceport America in New Mexico makes history by challenging traditional paradigms for spaceflight.

Gauss Industria e Comercio de Autopecas Ltda.

Smart Parts

Market leader in the production of specialized automotive parts, Gauss Indústria e Comércio de Autopeças Ltda has a strong presence throughout Brazil and exports to 40 countries worldwide. Reuben Ford takes a look under the hood to find out what…

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Decrease the Double Digits

With jobs the goal, keep U.S. competitiveness in focus.

Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA)

Industry Uptick Predicted

Not quite a bellwether of overall economic health; yet signs point to an ease in belt-tightening.

GE Water

Water Sense

With water supply threatening to exceed demand, GE Water & Process Technologies faces the challenges of industrial water reuse.

Aerospace

Year of Reckoning?

While able to weather the downturn, global aviation might take a nosedive in 2010 and beyond.

Timberland Manufacturing

Heavy Lifters

Timberland Equipment, Ltd. designs and manufactures winches, hoists, blocks sheaves and derricks used in the construction, mining, marine and conductor handling industries. David Soyka reports on how this Canadian company combines a range of engineering and project management capabilities under…

Toniolo, Busnello

Light Through the Tunnel

It’s been a long and winding road for Toniolo-Busnello, a 55-year-old construction company that specializes in building tunnels for railways, highways, mines, and dams throughout Brazil. Director Humberto Busnello talked to Michael Sommers about how far the company has come…

USGunite

Concrete Crafter

USGunite is a nationwide provider of pneumatically applied concrete resources – both shotcrete (wet) and gunite (dry) – to pool construction companies, commercial developers, engineering firms and government contractors. David Soyka reports on a company whose organic growth is now…

Wachter

Building Relationships

Building on an 80-year history in electrical construction and technology deployment, Wachter provides unique skills sets that underpin the growing convergence of electrical, voice, video, data, energy management and security networks into integrated intelligent building systems spanning multiple locations over…

Welded Construction LP

In the Pipeline

Since 1966, Welded Construction, L.P. has completed coast-to-coast pipeline projects characterized by quality and on-time performance. Safety and customer-focused, the Ohio-based organization addresses clients’ specific needs for every installation and rehabilitation project. Click here to read the complete illustrated article…

Streator Dependable Manufacturing

Supplying a Material World

Streator Dependable Manufacturing knows its business. As part of a group of companies that supplies everything from van bodies to hydraulic log splitters, the family-owned business offers its own unique array of products, all custom-made to give the customer exactly…

Swindell Dressler

Fired Up

Swindell-Dressler International Company is the recognized leader when it comes to kilns. Ninety-plus years of innovation and ambition placed the Pittsburgh-based enterprise upon this pinnacle. As the company indicates, clients and products require unique firing solutions, and creativity, flexibility and…

Techint Engineering & Construction

Extending Canadian Pipelines

An integral component of a global enterprise, Techint E&C’s recently established Canadian operation has already contributed to large pipeline construction projects. A turnkey provider of engineering, construction and procurement services, the Calgary-based division is extending availability of precious natural resources…

Teckma Engenharia

Mechanical Methodology

Based in São Paulo, Teckma Engenharia is one of the most important mechanical and electrical engineering firms in the Brazilian construction industry. In 17 years, the company has become not only one of the 20 largest in the sector, but…

Semblex Corporation

Holding Tight

Established in 1968, Semblex Corporation evolved from a basic screw manufacturer into a leading supplier of sophisticated industrial fastening solutions and cold-formed specialty components. Significant investments in technology, equipment, quality and staff spurred development. Once a pack member, the Illinois-headquartered…

Rontan Eletro Metalurgica Ltda.

Signs of the Times

As the largest and most traditional manufacturer of digital and acoustic signal products in South America, Rontan Eletro Metalúrgica will soon be celebrating 40 years of successful trading. The company has developed its product range to include personal and vehicle…

Safety Storage, Inc.

Up To Code

Safety Storage of Charleston, Ill. specializes in pre-engineered hazardous materials storage buildings. With its custom designs and national sales coverage, the company leads an important industry serving the military, local government, pharmaceutical and other industries. Barbara Kram reports on the…

Santa Barbara SA Engenharia

Expanding the World

Santa Barbara Engenharia has already had huge success in the industrial and infrastructure construction market. Two years ago the company's management saw that their sector had become commoditized, and decided to take on new challenges, Jeffrey Matthews reports.

Ricardo Inc.

Global Energy Guardian

A subsidiary of UK-based Ricardo PLC, Michigan-based Ricardo Inc. Mirrors its parent company as far as mission. Both entities target global-scale emissions reduction and fuel consumption efficiency. Further, the parent and offspring share the same capabilities. Impact has been, and…

Robica Forman Tank Ltd.

Tank Force

Embracing quality and innovation, Robica Forman Tank Ltd. provides mammoth tanker trucks that trample clients’ logistical problems underfoot. From a seedling, the company expanded into one of its home country’s (Canada) major industrial forces. Beneath the belly of this inexorably…

Motocana Maquinas e Implementos Ltda.

Balanced Sugar Levels

Motocana is Brazil’s leading producer of sugar cane loading equipment and has doubled its sales in the last two years. Despite the world’s insatiable appetite for sugar, the company is adding new ingredients to its product mix to strengthen and…

Mueller Eletrodomésticos S/A

Winning Washers

In its sixth decade of business, Mueller Electrodomésticos is Brazil’s leading manufacturer of semi-automatic washing machines. Associated with durability, efficiency and exceptional value, the brand has expanded its markets and client base to become one of the most recognized names…

Ohio Gratings

Grate Expectations

Ohio Gratings Inc. was founded in 1970 to do one thing: manufacture metal grating. Ever since, the company has expanded its product lines into numerous applications and has also participated in construction projects that take the old industrial style grating…

Parker Hannifin O-Ring

Lord of the Ring

The O-Ring division of Parker Hannifin, the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion control technologies and systems, is the market leader for both off-the-shelf and customized o-ring products used in a range of industrial applications. David Soyka gets the story…

Pfaudler Inc.

125 Years Young

Founded in 1884, Pfaudler Inc. possesses the vitality of innovation affording them an entrance into established and emerging markets.

MCE Group

All in One Engineering

For the last 17 years, the MCE Group has been expanding to cover a range of engineering services in the production, assembly and maintenance sectors. The success of its growth was proven when it was named one of Brazil’s top…

Metasa

Reinventing the Steel

Since going national, Metasa, a former local manufacturer of steel structures, hasn't stopped growing. As Michael Sommers discovers, expanding its plants, presence, and products has allowed the solidly structured company to expand its market share and profits as well.

Linde Material Handling North America

Heavy Lifter

A leading manufacturer of electric and engine powered materials handling equipment, Linde Material Handling North America continually sets the industry pace for more than 150 years. Based in South Carolina, and an integral part of an international corporation, the company…

Master Power Turbo

Getting Vertical

Master Power Turbo only makes one product, turbochargers, but it's tightly focused on making them better and better. Now the company is ready to move from the after market into the original parts supply market, and to boost sales as…

Grupo Froylan

Together As One

Grupo Froylan offers a high level of quality and competitive prices, Jeffrey Matthews reports.

Energy® Manufacturing Company

Hydraulic Energy

The technology that Energy® Manufacturing Company brings to the table regarding state- of-the-art hydraulic cylinders has helped propel the company into a leadership position. Lorie Greenspan tells the story of how this 66-year-old company has hardly aged when it comes…

Enersul

Sulfur Solutions

In a half-century plus nine years, Enersul Limited Partnership emerged as the pre-eminent global sulfur industry supplier. Calgary-based and comprehensive, the enterprise provides customers incomparable levels of service and experience. This extends from production to consumption, Dan Harvey reports.

Faiveley Transport/Ellcon-National

Rail Industry Leader

As Faiveley Transport/Ellcon-National moves beyond merger and forward into the new century as Faiveley Transport North America, it has all tracks covered. The South Carolina-headquartered enterprise services both the freight and transit sectors of the rail industry. It’s also celebrating…

Fundicao Moreno

Steel Advantage

Faced with challenges caused by the global crisis and rising real, after years of global expansion Fundição Moreno has changed tactics. As Michael Sommers discovers, one of Brazil’s leading manufacturers of forged steel parts is now focusing its attention upon…

Ceramica Porto Ferreira

Tile & Substance

Brazil’s number one manufacturer of ceramic tableware, Cerâmica Porto Ferreira experienced some serious growing pains before resurfacing as one of the country’s leading manufacturers of floor and wall tiles. As President Edison Corrêa de Toledo tells Michael Sommers, now the…

Alamo Tile Co., Inc.

Stone Beauty

For any developer of a large commercial property in Texas it would be hard to forget the Alamo – Alamo Tile & Stone, that is, which has been responsible for helping to realize some of the most remarkable sites in…

Allison Transmission

In High Gear

Allison Transmission is the worldwide leader in the manufacture of fully automatic power shifting transmissions for on and off-road applications. In South America the company is the driving force behind many of the countries’ commercial and industrial vehicles, and in…

Aluminum Shapes LLC

Metal Giant

While recession-related downsizing and consolidation impacts the competition, Aluminum Shapes remains an industry giant. The New Jersey-based enterprise provides customers a large range of capabilities positioned beneath a single tent. Click here to read the complete illustrated article as originally…

Bernauer

The Air We Breathe

Modern industry comes with as much challenge as it does opportunity. Brazil’s pioneer in filtration systems, Bernauer, confronts the challenge of air purification head-on. Helen Larkin reports on how this giant in industry is leading the way to ensure safe…

Agrovale

Sweet Success

Nobody ever dreamed it would be possible, let alone profitable, to plant sugar cane in the heart of Brazil’s semi-arid interior. However, the founders of Agrovale rose to the challenge. Moreover, as Director Carlos Gilberto Farias tells Michael Sommers, the…

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