"The objective of Cincinnati Milacron is to become the largest manufacturer of metal and plastic manufacturing machinery in the world" according to a spokesman for Cincinnati Milacron Inc (CM, 4701 Marburg Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45209 USA). The acquisition of Klöckner Ferromatik Desma GmbH (injection moulding machines) at the end of 1993 was an important step forward in the direction of this objective. More than a year and a half after the acquisition, the company – now renamed Ferromatik Milacron Maschinenbau GmbH (D-79344 Malterdingen) – recently held a joint press conference with the Austrian subsidiary, Cincinnati Milacron Austria GmbH (PO Box 111, A-1239 Vienna). The companies reported their most recent business results, together with details of their exhibits and programme for the "K '95" (International Trade Fair Plastics + Rubber, Düsseldorf, October 5-12). The exhibits will be covered extensively by Plasteurope.com with special "K" reports.

During the past two years, Germany has become by far the most important base for business for Cincinnati Milacron outside the US. Harold Faig, Vice President for plastics processing machinery, described how the turnover for his area within the corporation has already exceeded $ 500m. The two European factories in Vienna and Malterdingen have achieved more than 35% of this total, i.e. $ 175m, or about DM 250m. The total could even in fact be somewhat higher, since Herbert Thoma, Managing Director of the German subsidiary in Malterdingen, reported a 1994 turnover of about DM 220m for his company alone.

Roland Bechtel, boss of the Vienna CM subsidiary, estimated turnover at about DM 100m for his areas, which includes single and multiple screw extruders as well as complete extrusion manufacturing lines. This year Bechtel is anticipating a significant jump in turnover up to DM 120m. Within the Vienna factory, extrusion and the associated R & D are part of a global business area within the CM Group. Major emphases within the extrusion business include tubing, profiles, films and sheet. Approximately 95% of production from the Vienna factory is exported, with 50% going to destinations within Europe.

At the moment CM experts are concentrating on fully electrically powered injection moulding machines, which will have the trade name "Elektra", and initially comprise machines with higher closing force. Cincinnati Milacron is convinced that this alternative closing force concept will provide a powerful step forward as it moves towards its objective of becoming the global leader among plastic machinery manufacturers.

READER SERVICE: Annual Report 1994 Cincinnati Milacron (German): PIE-No. 37976.