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KHS reports profitable year
19/02/2003
12:30
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February 2003
existing products, the line will be capable of supporting the fast-growing nonwovens market with products designed specifically for the engine filtration market as well as for medical, wipes and general industrial applications. Jukka Moisio, president of the FiberComposites division, said: “This investment will allow us to be flexible in our output and innovative in our new product developments across a number of diverse markets.” The investment will begin immediately and commercial output from the rebuilt production line is expected in mid 2004. Ahlstrom is also investing 38 million in the construction of a new composites nonwoven manufacturing line at the Windsor Locks plant. This will be the second major investment at this site in the last two years. The additional capacity from the new line will be targeted primarily at the consumer and industrial wipes markets in the USA and around the world, but will also have the production flexibility to meet changing customer demands in other nonwoven markets. The investment will begin immediately, with commercial output expected early in 2004.
KHS REPORTS PROFITABLE YEAR KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG of Dortmund, Germany enjoyed a 14% increase in orders to 609 million from 536 million in fiscal 2001/2002. KHS specializes in the manufacture and installation of complete lines to filter and fill beer, soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, wine, liquor, milk, vinegar and oil. Sales increased to 557 million from 538 million the previous year; overall per capita employee performance was around 208 000. Preliminary
Filtration Industry Analyst
results before tax show an increase of 50 million to 29 million. As of the year end, 30 September 2002, KHS employed a work force of 2643, slightly down on 2712 in the previous year. Developments during the year focused on filling, labelling and packaging. More than 13 million was invested in various KHS plants, as well as in the expansion of the KHS Bad Kreuznach site where a new technical centre was opened.
Hyflux is committed to investing a total of US$3.75 million for a 75% equity stake in each of two joint venture companies with A2W in Singapore. The joint ventures will have exclusive manufacturing rights covering most of Asia, including ASEAN, China, the Indian subcontinent and Australia. Production is expected to begin in mid-2003.
HYFLUX ACQUIRES INTEREST IN A2W
Seprotech Systems Inc of Ottawa, Canada reported a 55% drop in revenues to C$814 065 in its fiscal year ended 31 August 2002, partly because of the lost revenues arising from the sale of its Environmental Laboratory Division in June 2001 (see Filtration Industry Analyst, July 2001). Seprotech’s net loss deepened to C$718 000 from C$317 000 a year ago. A fall in parts and service revenue of C$194 000 was offset by a C$205 000 rise in contract revenues to C$669 000. The increase came as the result of executing several Rotordisk contracts for CMS Group Inc, in anticipation of its acquisition by Seprotech which was completed immediately after year end (see Filtration Industry Analyst, November 2002). CMS manufactures rotating biological contactors. Gross margins increased to 29% from 15% in the prior year because of the laboratory sale and product mix. Seprotech specializes in crossflow membrane separation technology (reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration). Other applied technologies employed by the company include ion exchange, carbon absorption, electrodeionization, advanced oxidation, UV oxidation, metal precipitation, dissolved air flotation and multi media filtration.
Hyflux Ltd has signed a strategic alliance to take a 2% equity interest for US$1 million and up to a 10% equity stake in Air 2 Water Inc (A2W) of California. A2W will own Worldwide Water Inc, the owner of many patents, granted and pending, in the USA and other countries that cover claims for technology able to produce potable water from ambient atmospheric water vapour. Hyflux, in collaboration with A2W, has developed a product prototype using A2W’s patented technology and Hyflux’s advanced membrane and disinfection technologies. This provides a safe, economical and unlimited water source that is guaranteed potable after a rigorous membrane and UV treatment. The system does not require connection to an external water source; operates like a water cooler, providing cold and hot water; and has the additional benefit of air purification. Ms Olivia Lum, Hyflux’s CEO and president, said: “We believe that this product is going to revolutionize the drinking water industry and be a viable solution to many regions previously denied ready access to high quality drinking water.”
SEPROTECH MAKES C$0.7M LOSS
IN BRIEF • CATSWeb software from AssurX Inc has been chosen by Pall Corp for its new global customer inquiry/ complaint handling system. The software is used by FDA-regulated and ISO/QS 9000 certified companies around the world, including Alcon Labs, Boston Scientific and Bausch & Lomb. Once deployed across Pall’s 10 divisions, 24 manufacturing facilities, and numerous sales, service and technical centres, the software will be used on a regular basis by 1500 people world wide. • Fedders Corp has filed a lawsuit against Elite Classics and Cheston Knight in the US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges that the defendants, in a plan to unfairly compete with Fedders, are marketing and selling a room air conditioner, under the Sunbeam brand, that is an unauthorized, nearidentical copy of Fedders’ X Chassis air conditioner. Fedders alleges that part of the Sunbeam product is identifiable as a Fedders part because of an embossed Fedders part number, despite obvious attempts to eradicate this identification mark. • SPX Corp has authorized a new share repurchase programme for up to US$250 million. The programme was initiated in conjunction with a new financing agreement that closed on 27 December 2002. This replaces the 28 August 2002 authorization. • Seprotech Systems Inc has received a financing commitment from Capital Alliance Ventures Inc, Seprotech’s management and other existing investors for a private placement of securities of the company, which will result in gross proceeds to it of around C$500 000.
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February 2003
existing products, the line will be capable of supporting the fast-growing nonwovens market with products designed specifically for the engine filtration market as well as for medical, wipes and general industrial applications. Jukka Moisio, president of the FiberComposites division, said: “This investment will allow us to be flexible in our output and innovative in our new product developments across a number of diverse markets.” The investment will begin immediately and commercial output from the rebuilt production line is expected in mid 2004. Ahlstrom is also investing 38 million in the construction of a new composites nonwoven manufacturing line at the Windsor Locks plant. This will be the second major investment at this site in the last two years. The additional capacity from the new line will be targeted primarily at the consumer and industrial wipes markets in the USA and around the world, but will also have the production flexibility to meet changing customer demands in other nonwoven markets. The investment will begin immediately, with commercial output expected early in 2004.
KHS REPORTS PROFITABLE YEAR KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG of Dortmund, Germany enjoyed a 14% increase in orders to 609 million from 536 million in fiscal 2001/2002. KHS specializes in the manufacture and installation of complete lines to filter and fill beer, soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, wine, liquor, milk, vinegar and oil. Sales increased to 557 million from 538 million the previous year; overall per capita employee performance was around 208 000. Preliminary
Filtration Industry Analyst
results before tax show an increase of 50 million to 29 million. As of the year end, 30 September 2002, KHS employed a work force of 2643, slightly down on 2712 in the previous year. Developments during the year focused on filling, labelling and packaging. More than 13 million was invested in various KHS plants, as well as in the expansion of the KHS Bad Kreuznach site where a new technical centre was opened.
Hyflux is committed to investing a total of US$3.75 million for a 75% equity stake in each of two joint venture companies with A2W in Singapore. The joint ventures will have exclusive manufacturing rights covering most of Asia, including ASEAN, China, the Indian subcontinent and Australia. Production is expected to begin in mid-2003.
HYFLUX ACQUIRES INTEREST IN A2W
Seprotech Systems Inc of Ottawa, Canada reported a 55% drop in revenues to C$814 065 in its fiscal year ended 31 August 2002, partly because of the lost revenues arising from the sale of its Environmental Laboratory Division in June 2001 (see Filtration Industry Analyst, July 2001). Seprotech’s net loss deepened to C$718 000 from C$317 000 a year ago. A fall in parts and service revenue of C$194 000 was offset by a C$205 000 rise in contract revenues to C$669 000. The increase came as the result of executing several Rotordisk contracts for CMS Group Inc, in anticipation of its acquisition by Seprotech which was completed immediately after year end (see Filtration Industry Analyst, November 2002). CMS manufactures rotating biological contactors. Gross margins increased to 29% from 15% in the prior year because of the laboratory sale and product mix. Seprotech specializes in crossflow membrane separation technology (reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration). Other applied technologies employed by the company include ion exchange, carbon absorption, electrodeionization, advanced oxidation, UV oxidation, metal precipitation, dissolved air flotation and multi media filtration.
Hyflux Ltd has signed a strategic alliance to take a 2% equity interest for US$1 million and up to a 10% equity stake in Air 2 Water Inc (A2W) of California. A2W will own Worldwide Water Inc, the owner of many patents, granted and pending, in the USA and other countries that cover claims for technology able to produce potable water from ambient atmospheric water vapour. Hyflux, in collaboration with A2W, has developed a product prototype using A2W’s patented technology and Hyflux’s advanced membrane and disinfection technologies. This provides a safe, economical and unlimited water source that is guaranteed potable after a rigorous membrane and UV treatment. The system does not require connection to an external water source; operates like a water cooler, providing cold and hot water; and has the additional benefit of air purification. Ms Olivia Lum, Hyflux’s CEO and president, said: “We believe that this product is going to revolutionize the drinking water industry and be a viable solution to many regions previously denied ready access to high quality drinking water.”
SEPROTECH MAKES C$0.7M LOSS
IN BRIEF • CATSWeb software from AssurX Inc has been chosen by Pall Corp for its new global customer inquiry/ complaint handling system. The software is used by FDA-regulated and ISO/QS 9000 certified companies around the world, including Alcon Labs, Boston Scientific and Bausch & Lomb. Once deployed across Pall’s 10 divisions, 24 manufacturing facilities, and numerous sales, service and technical centres, the software will be used on a regular basis by 1500 people world wide. • Fedders Corp has filed a lawsuit against Elite Classics and Cheston Knight in the US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges that the defendants, in a plan to unfairly compete with Fedders, are marketing and selling a room air conditioner, under the Sunbeam brand, that is an unauthorized, nearidentical copy of Fedders’ X Chassis air conditioner. Fedders alleges that part of the Sunbeam product is identifiable as a Fedders part because of an embossed Fedders part number, despite obvious attempts to eradicate this identification mark. • SPX Corp has authorized a new share repurchase programme for up to US$250 million. The programme was initiated in conjunction with a new financing agreement that closed on 27 December 2002. This replaces the 28 August 2002 authorization. • Seprotech Systems Inc has received a financing commitment from Capital Alliance Ventures Inc, Seprotech’s management and other existing investors for a private placement of securities of the company, which will result in gross proceeds to it of around C$500 000.
13
NEWS/IN BRIEF
Feb FIA.qxd