Milacron Machine Sales Reach Record Levels
CINCINNATI, OHIO - November 4, 1998 --Milacron Inc. (NYSE: MZ) today announced its plastics technologies group enjoyed record levels of sales, orders and inquiries at the major international plastics show, Kunststoffe 98, just completed in Dusseldorf, Germany. Sales exceeded $40 million on more than 100 machines, with many more orders still pending.
"We didn't see signs of recession at the show, as multinational customers stepped up to the plate and made significant investments," said Harold J. Faig, group vice president, plastics technologies. "We secured orders from new and repeat customers in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Egypt, and all across Europe and the U.S." During the seven-day show, Milacron said it received more than 8,300 inquiries for its products, nearly doubling its inquiry count over the last "K Show."
"Our investment in all-electric injection molding technology continued to pay off," Faig said. "Nearly 25% of our injection molding inquiries were for electric machines, and we sold more of them than ever before, including five going to China and five to France. It was nice to see our 14-year effort developing electric molding technology validated by dozens of competitors introducing their first electric machines at the show."
Milacron's Ferromatik (German) and U.S. injection molding machine businesses both topped their K Show sales goals. Customer interest was high in Ferromatik's advanced all-electric machines to mold smart cards and DVDs, and the large but space-saving 1,760-ton machine built in the U.S. exceeded expectations with multiple orders.
In addition to injection molding, Milacron's international extrusion systems business, based in Vienna, Austria, and its newly acquired Uniloy blow molding business both turned in exceptional performances. And, D-M-E, Milacron's subsidiary for mold bases and components, had a very strong show as well.
Milacron Inc. is a world leader in plastics processing technologies and industrial consumable products for metalworking. With estimated 1998 sales from continuing operations approaching $1.6 billion, the company has major manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe and 11,000 employees worldwide. Milacron's plastics technologies include injection molding machines, blow molding equipment, extrusion systems and wear items, mold bases, mold-making equipment and mold components, and aftermarket parts and services. Industrial products include carbide metalcutting inserts, insert holders, carbide and high-speed steel round tools, metalworking fluids, chemical and tool management services, precision grinding wheels, carbide wear parts and industrial magnets.