Several US media have reported that film plant manufacturer Gloucester Engineering (Gloucester, Massachusetts / USA; www.gloucesterengineering.com) is fighting for its survival. Reports indicate that on 23 March 2010 three suppliers filed for Chapter 7 insolvency proceedings against the group, citing outstanding payments to the tune of USD 500,000. In so doing, the claimants are seeking to lay hands on Gloucester’s assets. Group chairman John Sharood reportedly said Gloucester was busy looking for capital, adding that order and production activities remained unchanged.

Founded in 1961, Gloucester Engineering became part of the former Battenfeld group in 1978. In 2007 the former holding company, steel specialist SMS, rid itself of its plastics machinery business and Gloucester was divested to its management – see Plasteurope.com of 09.11.2007. Reports say the workforce shrank from about 400 in January 2006 to about 200 in January of this year, with additional positions allegedly having been cut since. The company has not commented on these reports.