16 minute read
Global Highlights
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North America
In a joint statement to their customers, Debbie Cardile, senior advisor of Interwire, and Bill Torres, president of Gibbs, announced in October 2021 the merger of the two companies. According to the statement, “Combined Metals, through its subsidiary Gibbs Wire & Steel Company LLC (Gibbs), has purchased the assets of Inter-Wire Products, Inc. (Interwire). This purchase unites two preeminent metal service centers in North America.”
The letter also said, “Our goal in this combination is to be your strategic partner for all your wire and strip purchases…. We are very excited by this combination. We will be working closely with you to answer any questions. For example, we want to assure all Interwire customers that we will fulfill all open purchase orders and will continue to service all your future wire needs.”
MW Industries, a leading provider of precision components, announced in November 2021 the acquisition of Fox Valley Spring Company, LLC, a principal supplier of springs, wireforms, and flat springs.
The acquisition of Fox Valley Spring Company closed on Oct. 29, 2021 and expands MW Industries’ existing automation and manufacturing capabilities for springs and wireforms. The combined company will offer extensive expertise in complex precision spring manufacturing for a variety of spring types, including extension springs, torsion springs, wireforms and die springs. Fox Valley Spring will join MW Components, the division of MW Industries focusing on manufacturing highly engineered precision components at speed and scale.
“Fox Valley Spring is well-known for their experience in creating the highest quality, custom-made springs. Fox Valley Spring’s technology and expertise will allow us to better support our customers as they seek custom springs made from specialty materials, manufactured to tighter tolerances,” said Simon Newman, CEO of MW Industries. “We’re thrilled to welcome Fox Valley Spring to the family and look forward to growing together as we provide more products and services to our customers.”
Fox Valley Spring Company is a nationally recognized expert in custom spring manufacturing. With the latest CNC coiling and automation technology, Fox Valley Spring can manufacture complex precision springs in a single operation. The expert engineering and manufacturing professionals at Fox Valley Spring can design and manufacture custom springs to each customer’s unique requirements.
“Our goal has always been to provide the best products and services to our customers — joining the MW family allows us to do more for them than ever before,” said Keith Wincentsen, president of Fox Valley Spring. “As one company, our customers will now be able to purchase products from any MW location and request specialty springs that leverage our capabilities as well as those offered throughout the MW family. We’re excited to provide those resources to our customers and bring our capabilities to serve the greater MW customer base.”
Automatic Spring Products Corp.
(ASPC) of Grand Haven, Michigan announced in Nov. 2021 that CFOScott Zylstra has been elevated to the role of president and CFO, to allow longtime president and CEO Steve Moreland to focus exclusively on the strategic future of the company.
In his new role, Zylstra will add responsibility for leading the day-to-day operations to his existing financial duties at ASPC. This will enable Moreland to
Scott Zylstra
Steve Moreland
concentrate his efforts on the company’s strategic future from the standpoint of technology, products, processes, customers and markets to enhance long-term profitability. Moreland will remain CEO and leverage his lifetime of competitive market knowledge and technical expertise on growth opportunities.
ASPC is a technology-focused, high-volume manufacturer of customdesigned springs, wireforms, flat springs, stampings and assemblies with more than 350 employees working in plants located in Grand Haven and Monterrey, Mexico.
“Scott has excellent business expertise combined with great people skills that will enable him to focus on developing our people and building great teams,” said Moreland. “Scott has a positive can-do leadership style that focuses on planning, accountability and results. I am pleased he has accepted this new challenge to help take ASPC to our next level of growth and excellence.”
Zylstra brought more than two decades of leadership in finance and
manufacturing to ASPC when he joined in 2019 as CFO. During his time with ASPC, he has led successful efforts in the company’s finance and administrative business segments. He has also worked with manufacturing on behalf of some of ASPC’s key customers on projects that needed focused attention and improvement.
Before joining ASPC, Zylstra spent nearly 14 years at Cascade Engineering and more than a decade with Johnson Controls.
“I am truly honored to be stepping into an expanded role with ASPC — and to be joining this partnership of leadership that will enable us to position the company for continued success,” Zylstra said.
Moreland’s maternal grandfather, Foster Poe, founded ASPC in 1950 when he was 50 years old. He led the company for 25 years before transitioning leadership to his son-in-law, Darell Moreland, in 1975. Under Darell Moreland, ASPC continued to grow steadily, adding new products and employees to serve new and growing customer relationships.
His son and current president and CEO Steve Moreland left Pratt Whitney Aircraft in 1980 to join ASPC as a metallurgical engineer. Steve Moreland stepped into the role of president when his father retired in 1996.
Under Steve Moreland’s leadership, ASPC has enjoyed many successes, including growing into one of the largest, most respected spring companies in North America; building the new Hayes Plant to meet rapidly growing customer demand for wire products; and expanding operations into Mexico to meet increasing customer expectations.
Alpharetta, Georgia-based Newcomb Spring Corp. announced that its Colorado plant has moved to a new location in Denver, Colorado, where operations at the new facility began Oct. 4, 2021.
The 41,600 square foot facility nearly doubles the plant’s size, increasing its production capabilities, providing faster turnarounds, lower costs, and a more diverse array of manufacturing and secondary operations. The company leased the Denver property and has upgraded the building with an investment of over $800,000 to fit the needs of its modern manufacturing operations. A capital investment of $275,000 in additional CNC machinery allows for a substantial increase in capabilities and improved service.
With the significant upgrade in overall square footage, Newcomb of Colorado has also doubled the size of its inventory storage room for finished and raw materials, increasing fulfilment capabilities of customer-related blanket purchase orders or vendor managed inventory.
“We are thrilled to be operating in our new state-of-the-art facility. Newcomb has made a considerable investment in outfitting our Denver facility
Newcomb Spring of Colorado’s new 41,600 square foot facility nearly doubles the plant’s size and increases its production capabilities. with improved design, infrastructure and equipment. The increased space in the facility allows us to create an equipment layout which improves the internal logistical function, increasing output, reducing takt time, and enhancing our ability to effectively apply 5S principles within the plant,” said general manager Nathan Watson.
The plant is now located at 1210 E. 73rd Avenue in Denver. The new facility is in closer proximity to major trucking terminals and its convenient location at the intersection of several highways and connecting arteries allows Newcomb to reach vendors more quickly and efficiently, while providing customers across the metro area faster access to the plant. The facility’s telephone number (303-4502840) and email address remain the same.
“We look forward to being able to better serve our customers with a much larger and more modern manufacturing environment specifically designed for spring and metal forming operations,” continued Watson.
Iowa Spring Manufacturing broke ground in November 2022 on a new 55,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and office facility near the company’s current location in Adel, Iowa. The new space is a $10 million investment for the company, which includes $2.5 million in new equipment. The new facility will employ 25 employees, working three shifts, seven days a week.
Company president Tim Bianco said the additional space was added to help the company manage future growth.
When the new location is completed in the summer of 2022, the company will have three facilities with 300,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. In addition to the two Iowa facilities, the company also operates a manufacturing plant through its Southern Atlantic Spring division in Granite Quarry, North Carolina.
“We now have 210 dedicated employees working for us,” explained Bianco.
Groundbreaking for new Iowa Spring Manufacturing facility.
“That includes more than 150 in Iowa, and an additional 60 who work at our division in North Carolina. Our niche continues to be in big springs.”
Since 1977, Iowa Spring has specialized in manufacturing and delivering springs out of the Midwest. The company manufactures large, heavy duty metal springs for agricultural equipment, mechanical equipment and overhead garage door industries. Southern Atlantic Spring opened in January 2007 as a division of Iowa Spring Manufacturing, with over 40 years of experience in the spring industry. Southern Atlantic Spring is devoted to servicing the overhead door industry by manufacturing and delivering springs out of the Southern Atlantic region.
International
Exhibitor registration for wire China
2022, International Wire & Cable
Industry Trade Fair, is now open at www.wirechina.net/en. Jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute Co., the event will take place from September 26 – 29, 2022 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Tube China 2022,
International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair
will again be held concurrently.
For more information, contactMesse Düsseldorf North America at 312-7815180 or email: info@mdna.com. You can also visit www.wirechina.net/en and www.mdna.com or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago/.
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Obituaries
It is with deep regret that SMI mourns the loss of the following members.
Vivian Ann Pesaresi, 78, of Mishawaka, Indiana, who passed away with her loving husband by her side on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. She was born on May 10, 1943, in Kewanna, Indiana to the late Henry John and Alice Lorraine (Weller) Montz. She was a 1961 graduate of Kewanna High School, and on August 26, 1961, Vivian married Daniel J. Pesaresi in Kewanna. They were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2021 at Ruth’s Chris with their daughter Anna Maria and their son Dan, Jr. and his wife, Lisa.
Pesaresi was a proud homemaker and strong supporter of her husband’s family business, Winamac Coil Spring. She hosted numerous parties and gatherings, which nurtured a family-like atmosphere for the workers and customers of WCS. Vivian and Daniel enjoyed many winters in Phoenix, Arizona. They enjoyed attending Notre Dame football games together. Vivian would always call her son after a win and play the Notre Dame Victory March. She was a loving and dedicated mother, faithful to attend all of their events and activities over the years, from band contests to sporting events and everything in between.
Pesaresi was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. As an advocate for higher education, Vivian was proud to hold the title of Fellow at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana She enjoyed music, old movies, nature, swimming, bowling and playing golf.
Pesaresi touched many hearts over the years and leaves behind a legacy of kindness;
Richard R Schultz, 72, of White Pigeon, Michigan, formerly of Crown Point, Indiana, who gained his wings Nov. 28, 2021.
Schultz is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Jennifer L. Schultz (nee Schlundt); two children, Rick P. (Tiffany) Schultz and Michael B. (Blayre) Schultz, and their mother, Patricia J Schultz; grandchildren, Zach, Sam, Izzy, Maddux and Rainer; his spoiled dog Kizzy Girl; foster dogs Jacque and Beau; grand dogs Chewy and Rizzo; his four brothers, Bob (Char), Larry (Barb) Jim (Jill) and Tom (Chris) Schultz; aunt Rose Schultz; many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends; motherIn-law, Teena Farmer; brother-In-law, Mike Schlundt; sisters-In-law Angie Farmer, Sarah (Tank) Thompson, and Katie Love Bug Rudelius.
Schultz was proceeded in death by his parents, Francis and Virginia Schultz; nephew, Jeffery Schultz; father-In-law Tom Schlundt; mother- and father-in-law, Mary and Bernard Saalman; and his most special faithful companions River Dog, Sassy, Barbie, Spike and Coco.
Schultz was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. He was a 1967 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Schultz was co-owner of Brookside Industrial Sales, which was established in 1985 with his brother Jim. He was sales manager of Anchor Abrasives for more than 40 years. Schultz was an avid golfer, card player, fisherman and addicted to Ancestry.com, military history, cowboy movies and NCIS. Schultz enjoyed lake life at Klinger Lake, Michigan and boating with family and friends in the summer. Rick was a very proud grandfather and had to have t-shirts with their pictures on them so he could take them on every trip he took. Schultz loved to travel with his wife, and together they went on many adventures. Every February and October they could be found in Las Vegas visiting, or with friends and family. Rick enjoyed watching the Blackhawks, cussing at the Bears on Sundays, and was a lifelong Cubbie fan. Every New Year’s Eve, he would rewatch the 2016 World Series Game.
Services were held in Crown Point, as well as a party at the Winfield Aurelio’s to toast a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Schultz’s name to one of his favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project, or your local animal rescue or shelter. she will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband, Daniel J. Pesaresi Sr., daughter, Anna Maria Pesaresi, son, Daniel J. (Lisa) Pesaresi, Jr., brother-in-law, Marv Koleszar, sister-in-law, Renate Montz, sister-in-law, Barbara (Gene) Huber, sister-in-law, Terry Pesaresi; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry John and Alice Lorraine [Weller] Montz; brother, Victor Montz; sister Lillian Koleszar; in-laws, Walter and Theresa Pesaresi; and brother-in-law, Joe Pesaresi.
Services were held. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church or Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame for the Dujarie House or Raclin Hospice House.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com
Roger A. Desmarais, 74, of Andover, Massachusetts, who died Nov. 15, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital. He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts Feb. 12, 1947, to the late Alcide and Viola (St. Marie) Desmarais.
Desmarais was a United States veteran, having served in the United States Air Force Reserve. He founded Spring Manufacturing Corp in 1979 and operated his business with passion until he passed. He was a horticulturist at heart and enjoyed working in his flower and vegetable gardens. He perfected growing the best backyard tomato.
Desmarais was the widower of the late Mary (Woiszwillo) Moran, with whom he experienced traveling the world.
Desmarais is survived by his daughter, Julie-Anne Tanner and her husband Richard; sons Jeffery Desmarais; Gregory Desmarais and his wife Maura; and Matthew Desmarais and his companion Emily Harris. Also among his survivors are his sister Jean Strom and her husband Dennis, and seven grandchildren who were the pride and joy of his life.
Services were held in Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center.
Michael E. Suth, 78, died Nov. 15, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. Suth was born June 7, 1943, in South Bend to the late Emery and Irene Kil Suth. Left to cherish the memory of Mike is his loving wife, Donna (Claire) Suth; their children, Tamara (Tom) Crowe, Gregory (Julie) Suth, Kelly Willhoite, Robert (Ranae) Suth, Patrick Suth and Jimmy (Brittany) Suth; 17 grandchildren; and sisters, Maureen Suth, Janeen Conboy and Phyllis Lentych.
Following graduation from Saint Joseph High School in 1961, Suth enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years, culminating with his duty in Okinawa, Japan in the K-9 unit.
On Dec. 26, 1966, he married the love of his life, Donna Claire of Chetek, Wisconsin, and managed working part-time at his father’s business, Hoosier Spring Company, while attending classes at Indiana University – South Bend. He completed his bachelor’s degree in the summer of 1972 and began working full time under the tutelage of his father. He eventually became CEO of Hoosier Spring Company Inc. and grew the business to support 120 employees and their families. Suth won a 2014 Indiana Small Businessman of the Year award.
Suth was a parishioner of St. Jude parish. He coached for St. Jude and Marian High School baseball and basketball for many years and was a member of the Notre Dame Quarterback Club and South Bend Country Club. He enjoyed Notre Dame football, golf and sports in general. Most of all, he loved his family and grandchildren. Suth had a very generous heart; he had an easier time giving than receiving. Services were held. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Road, South Bend, IN 46614. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net
Michael Barry Limb, 85 of Glen Ellyn, Illinois (and Sheffield, England) died November 1, 2021. He was the beloved husband of June Limb; loving father of Deborah and Brian Sinta and Wendy and Andrew Geering; caring grandfather of Katie, Damon, Teddy and Annabelle.
Limb was an honorary member of SMI, having been a board member during his career as vice president of engineering at Peterson USA. He served as an integral part of SMI’s technical committee as well as that committee’s chair, and a member of the team that developed SMI’s Handbook of Spring Design. Upon his retirement from Peterson, he was a consultant for SMI.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. n
Leaders In Double Disc Technology
Jack and Jeff Shoemaker, second and third generations continuing the tradition at Anchor Abrasives. Certified to ISO 9001 since 1994.
At Anchor Abrasives we specialize in the design and manufacture of resin, epoxy and oxychloride bonded nut inserted discs and cylinders...plus centerless and rollwheels.
Today, in our modern manufacturing facility, we are ready to continue our tradition of innovative quality products and unmatched customer service. For more information contact Anchor Abrasives Company, 7651 West 185th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 U.S.A. Phone: 708-444-4300; Fax: 708-444-1300.
www.anchorabrasives.com
