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linking up Combining strengths
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Combining strengths
ORDERFOX.com and Autodesk form groundbreaking collaboration
ORDERFOX.com, the online platform linking CNC buyers and manufacturers, has announced a new collaboration with the manufacturing software leader Autodesk, making visualisation and procurement even easier.
ORDERFOX.com is focused on providing its members with a more efficient way to conduct daily business. To this end, ORDERFOX.com community members now have an even greater benefit – the integration of the Autodesk Forge platform viewing functionality.
The Viewer now provides community members with the ability to view and process potential business opportunities without additional software installed. Furthermore, as a benefit for existing and new users of Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk AutoCAD software, they will be able to access all of the features of the ORDERFOX.com platform within their chosen software.
Anyone who uploads computer-aided design (CAD) data to ‘advertise a job’ can now have it converted directly into a 3D model within the Autodesk cloud, and it is then viewable on ORDERFOX. com. Metadata regarding the design files can also be securely embedded with the Viewer in more than 60 formats, while the data can be used and retrieved directly within the user’s browser, without having to install any additional software. Visit: www.orderfox.com
leoni and parc collaborate on digital transformation
Leoni, a global provider of energy and data management solutions, and the research and development company PARC, a Xerox company, have announced a strategic partnership that will enable Leoni’s digitalisation solutions. With the support of PARC’s groundbreaking technologies in the fields of condition-based maintenance (CBM), system analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and embedded sensor technology, Leoni will drive its digital transformation forward.
Technologies such as predictive maintenance and condition-based maintenance with the help of intelligent data analysis are now regarded as important drivers of Industry 4.0 and digital mobility projects. These technologies can help prevent unplanned system outages and increase availability of systems by evaluating all system components throughout their life-cycle and identifying individual components for replacement well ahead of performance degradation or failure.
The initial focus of this partnership will be to customise and demonstrate PARC’s CBM and advanced system analytics for Leoni’s smart cable systems. PARC’s model-based approach delivers high predictive accuracy and negligible false alarm rates enabling Leoni solutions to support their customers with actionable data and design optimisation, as well as the ability to smartly monitor and manage their systems. Visit: www.leoni.com
Inwido acquires Finnish Profin Oy
Inwido, Europe’s largest supplier of windows, has signed an agreement to acquire Profin Group, a Finnish family business focusing on premium sliding doors and windows. Founded in 1977, the company has some 60 employees and a turnover of SEK 120 million. Inwido acquires 100% of the shares and closing is expected to occur 1 July 2018.
Profin is a family business with its roots in Northern Finland. The company combines traditional craftsmanship and modern technology to create high quality products that are designed to withstand the harsh climate of the north: sliding doors, windows and doors.
Over the past decade, Profin has become synonymous with high-quality sliding doors and is the market leader in this segment in Finland. In addition to its home market Finland, Profin also exports to several other EU countries, Japan and Russia.
“Profin complements our Finnish brands very well with a more premium position on the market. A key opportunity has been discovered in the fast growing luxury segment dominated by panorama window sizes and sliding doors currently only operated in Finland by Inwido’s existing brand Klas1 and Profin,” says Håkan Jeppsson, president and CEO at Inwido. Visit: www.inwido.com
Corbion NV has completed the acquisition of Bunge ltd’s stake in the SB Renewable oils joint venture.
Corbion has acquired Bunge’s 49.9% stake in SB Renewable oils, a joint venture that operates a facility in Brazil, specialising in the production of algae ingredients, such as omega 3 rich oil, for aquaculture and animal feed. Corbion now is the 100% owner of the plant in orindiúva, which employs around 170 staff.
“We are delighted to welcome the team in orindiúva as part of our global family. They are a pivotal part of our Algae Ingredients business, the innovative platform we acquired last year. We are strongly committed to developing this line of business,” said Tjerk de Ruiter, Ceo of Corbion.
As the SB Renewable oils plant is located adjacent to one of Bunge’s sugar mills, longterm supply agreements have been secured regarding sugar and utilities. Approval from the relevant regulatory bodies in Brazil has been obtained. Visit: www.corbion.com
LINKINGUP
Spanish coding & marking specialist moves into UK
Barcelona-based Macsa ID, a manufacturer of high performance laser coding, marking and scoring systems for the food, beverage, packaging, pharmaceutical, chemical, aerospace and automotive markets, has made its first move into the UK with the acquisition of a majority stake in UK company Halo Lasers.
Halo Lasers has been renamed Macsa ID UK Ltd and will continue to operate from its base in Shefford, Bedfordshire. In addition to existing Halo laser units and workstations, newly-established Macsa ID UK Ltd will offer the full range of Macsa ID Fiber, YAG and CO2 laser coding and marking equipment.
Neil Greatorex, managing director at Macsa ID UK comments: “Since its inception in 2012, Halo Lasers quickly established itself as a major provider of industrial laser systems in the UK. The significant investment made by Macsa ID will take the business to the next level and enable Macsa ID UK Ltd to be a full service provider of coding and marking solutions for a wide range of industries.” Visit: www.macsa.com
Porsche takes a stake in the Croatian company Rimac
Porsche AG has invested in the technology and electric sports car company Rimac Automobili by taking a minority shareholding of 10%. The company develops and produces electric vehicle components and manufactures electric super sports cars. As part of its electrification efforts, Porsche is seeking a development partnership with the young company.
Rimac recently presented the latest version of its electric hypercar, the ‘C Two’, at the Geneva Motor Show. The two-seater produces around 2000 hp and reaches a top speed of 412 kilometres per hour. It has a range of 650 kilometres (NEDC Cycle), and achieves an 80% battery charge in 30 minutes through a 250 kW fast charging system. Furthermore, the company engineers and manufactures high-performance electric vehicle powertrain systems and battery systems.
“By developing the purely electric two-seaters super sports cars, like the ‘Concept One’ or ‘C Two’, as well as core vehicle systems, Rimac has impressively demonstrated its credentials in the field of electromobility,” says Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of the executive board and member of the executive board for Finance and IT at Porsche. Visit: www.porsche.com
J.w. ostendorf becomes part of the hempel group
Hempel Group, the parent company of Crown Paints, has signed an agreement to acquire a 65% stake in leading German paint manufacturer J.W. Ostendorf (JWO) in a move to significantly bolster its global decorative business.
Operating throughout 20 European and five non-European countries, family-owned JWO is one of Germany’s leading decorative paint manufacturers and is the only private label specialist in Europe.
The deal also brings with it the appointment of Joe Devitt, CEO of Crown Paints, as the new top executive in Hempel Decorative Europe, responsible for bringing Crown Paints and JWO together. Whilst both businesses will continue to trade independently, as a decorative business of the Hempel Group they will have a leading position in the European Market.
Joe Devitt comments: “Both businesses are passionate about paint and about serving our customers. We share many business values and our market coverage, know-how and production facilities are extremely complementary. The joint venture is well placed to drive consolidation in the highly competitive market of decorative paints and I am looking forward to working with JWO to further enhance our product offering throughout Europe.” Visit: www.hempel.com
AkzoNobel has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Fabryo Corporation S.R.l. (Fabryo), becoming the leader in the Romanian decorative paints market.
The transaction includes two production facilities and six distribution centres for decorative paints, adhesives and mortars, including one of the largest decorative paints factories in the region, with capacity for further expansion. The business generated revenue of around €45 million in 2017 and is the only player with both a leading product portfolio for consumers as well as professional segments in the Romanian market, including the brands Savana, APlA and InnenWeiss.
Thierry Vanlancker, chief executive officer of AkzoNobel, said: “This acquisition provides AkzoNobel with the number one position in a fast growing market and will contribute to delivering our Winning Together: 15 by 20 Strategy. Fabryo has a proven track record when it comes to growth and profitability. Visit: www.akzonobel.com
