Discover some of the latest product launches and innovations happening within our region’s manufacturing companies.
Evac North America has announced plans to maintain and expand its operations near Cherry Valley, Ill. An international manufacturer of wastewater management solutions for marine, offshore and industrial settings, Finland-based Evac recently secured contracts to supply four new marine vessels, with an option to supply six more.
Wipfli LLP, a Milwaukee-based accounting and consulting firm with a location in Rockford, has combined forces with Steinberg Advisors, a Northbrook, Ill., firm that provides audit, tax and management consulting services to businesses and individuals. The combined firm will have about 1,500 associates, with 181 partners, 32 offices in the U.S. and two offices in India.
Cherry Valley, Ill.,-based Ipsen, a specialist in thermal processing technologies, recently shipped three of its Titan vacuum furnaces, a MetalMaster vacuum furnace and a custom furnace upgrade for use in additive manufacturing, aerospace and automotive manufacturing applications.
Roscoe, Ill.,-based PBC Linear, a specialist in motion control products, was featured in a recent issue of Design World magazine’s cover story on the “Internet of Things” enabled mechatronics.
Wahl Clipper, a Sterling, Ill., manufacturer of personal grooming products, has introduced a Bump-Free Shaver that provides a close shave without producing razor bumps. The product, which has built-in hypoallergenic titanium foil and blunt-cut technology, is specially targeted toward black men.
Bergstrom Inc., a Rockford-based manufacturer of cab climate control systems for trucks and heavy equipment, has appointed P&C Mining Services to distribute its Dirna-Bergstrom products in South Africa.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, a life sciences specialist with a location in Rockford, has introduced a new point-of-care test in conjunction with Samsung Electronics. The new Samsung IB B-R-A-H-S PCT assay enables Procalcitonin determination in acute care settings with testing results produced in just 20 minutes.
Woodward Inc. has formalized the creation of its joint large-engine fuel systems venture with GE Aviation. The two companies plan to share operating results for the project. Under the agreement, Woodward will supply fuel systems on the GE90, GEnx, GE9X and future commercial engines.
UTC Aerospace Systems has provided $5,500 in grants to the Rockford Public Schools’ FIRST robotics teams at area elementary, middle and high schools. The grant was partly in response to UTC employees’ work as robotics team mentors.
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, a Loves Park, Ill., producer of wastewater treatment equipment and systems, has completed merger procedures with Tokyo-based METAWATER Co. Ltd. Aqua-Aerobic and its international subsidiaries now fall under the operations of New Jersey-based METAWATER USA. Under the deal, Robert J. Wimmer will remain President and CEO of Aqua-Aerobic Systems, while Ichiro Fukushima assumes roles as director and chairman.
PCI Pharma Services, a Philadelphia-based provider of pharmaceutical products, plans to move its packaging operations in Woodstock, Ill., to its facility in Rockford. Expected to be finished by mid- to late 2017, the move will relocate equipment and about 125 associates to the Rockford operation, where nearly 1,500 associates work across more than 1 million square feet of production space.
JP Cullen Foundation, the charitable arm of the Janesville-based construction company, has pledged $25,000 to Blackhawk Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton, Wis. The donation benefits the technical school’s Manufacturing Matters Now campaign to equip the new educational lab. Cullen employs more than 600 people for jobs throughout Wisconsin, northern Illinois and northeast Iowa.