Business and Industrial Trade Fairs Ltd. is organizing the 2007 China International Machine Components Industry Exhibition or Machine Components 2007 to be held December 4-7, 2007, at the Chinese Export Commodities Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou. Machine Components 2007, features the latest machine components and related technologies, including standard and non-standard fasteners, gears, chains, springs, powder metallurgical products, hydraulics, pneumatics, seals, valves, and related processing equipment, materials and instruments. Machine Components 2007, brings together an audience of entrepreneurs, suppliers, government, and academia from around the world. For information, contact Business & Industrial Trade Fairs by phone at (852) 2865 2633 or e-mail at enquiry@bitf.com.hk.

The premier staging of wire and Tube So utheast Asia 2007, Oct. 16-18, 2007, in Bangkok, Thailand, will feature 300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, including eight country group exhibits from Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Responding to requests from exhibitors at the sold-out trade fairs, hall space was increased by 25%. During the show, the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) and the International Tube Association (ITA) will co-organize a one-day seminar for the non-ferrous sectors in both industries. For information, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America by phone at (312) 781-5180 or fax at (312) 781-5188.

Wafios AG held its in-house exhibition 2007 in Wuppertal, Germany. The exhibition is staged every two years by the Wafios Group.

The exhibition encompassed every conceivable aspect of wire and tube working. The exhibition area was divided into a number of sectors: tube bending machines, wire bending machines, compression spring coilers, torsion spring coilers, straightening and end-working machines, machines for cold forming, handling and data management (RFID chip), and various sectors showcasing the performance spectrum of associated and partner companies.

In the Wafios FUL compression spring coiler area, visitors were introduced to the newly developed Pre-Tension Positioning (PTP) coiling finger (shown right). This innovation permits in-process compensation of the differing tension conditions existing at the start, middle and end of the cycle by swiveling the coiling finger.

Visitors also viewed new features of the torsion spring machine series FMU. The FMU 4.7 features the new Axial Table, designed to permit traversing movements in the longitudinal direction of the wire. This permits several bends to be produced in the spring or bent component after the cut.

Other machines featured included the series-ready BT 4 wire-bending machine, the BMU 6 for the upper operating range up to 13 mm, the BMU 3 for up to 6 mm, and the CNC parting and end-working machine AEB 781.

The Chinese government has imposed a new export tax for wire rod. According to an announcement, along with a list of the steel products that will be taxed, issued by the Chinese government, the new export tariff system adds a 10-percent export tax to all Chinese wire rod exports. The 10-percent tax means an additional cost of approximately $45 per net ton. Along with wire rods, Chinese-origin wire products are subject to an export tax of five percent. “News of the Chinese export tax has also affected the domestic wire rod pricing trend, pushing it from neutral to slightly up,” according to an article in Steel Orbis. “China has been dominating the low carbon wire rod market almost single-handedly, and the new export tax may put previous suppliers to the U.S. import market back in to play. If the full export tax increase is forced on U.S. buyers, Turkey and Germany may find their way back to the U.S. market.”

From May 27-31, 2007, 234 exhibitors from 29 countries presented their latest technologies for the wire and cable industry at wire Russia 2007, International Wire and Cable Trade Fair. More than 13,500 visitors from all parts of the Russian Federation came to the Moscow trade fair. The Russian economy is growing at around seven percent; 44 percent of all imports to Russia are machinery and equipment, and this trend continues to increase, making Russia an active market for this sector.

Sandvik Materials Technology has reached an agreement with Doncasters Group Ltd. to acquire the Doncasters Medical Technologies division. Doncasters Medical Technologies is a contract manufacturer of orthopedic implants and instruments to the medical industry. The products are produced in high-alloy stainless mater ials, titanium and cobalt-based alloys. The customers are medical technology companies that sell directly to hospitals and physician clinics.

Condat, of Chasse-sur-Rhône, France, and Henkel, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, have reached the closing date of the agreement giving Condat possession of the Henkel wire drawing lubricant business. Condat has been present in the wiredrawing market for over 40 years. This acquisition will strengthen Condat’s position in the wiredrawing soap-lubricant activity.

Overseas Events

Oct. 16-18, 2007: wire Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Messe Düsseldorf, (312) 781-5180, www.messe-dusseldorf.de.

Oct. 23-25, 2007: China International Hardware Show, Shanghai, China, Koelnmesse Inc., (773) 326-9925, d.stern@koelnmessenafta.com.

Nov. 1-3, 2007: Japan Spring Machine Show and International Symposium, Nagoya, Japan, JSSE, +81-3-3251-5235, www.soc.nii.ac.jp/jssr.

Nov. 5-7, 2007: Wire ’07 Bolgna, Bolgna, Italy, IWMA, +44 1926 834680, www.iwma.org.

Nov. 7-9, 2007: Wire Asia 2007, Beijing, China, AIT Events, 86-10-66581930, wireasia@263.net.

Dec. 4-5, 2007: AutoRussia 2007, St. Petersburg, Russia, WBR Ltd., www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia.

January 29, 2008: AutoUkraine 2008, Kiev, Ukraine, WBR Ltd., www.wbr.co.uk/autoukraine.

March 9-12, 2008: International Hardware Fair, Cologne, Germany, Koelnmesse, (773) 326-9925, d.stern@koelnmessenafta.com.

March 31-April 4, 2008: wire 2008, Düsseldorf, Germany, Messe Düsseldorf, (312) 781-5180, www.messe-dusseldorf.de.

April 3-5, 2008: Mec-Spe 2008, Parma, Italy, Senaf, e-mail info@senaf.it.

Sept. 23-26, 2008: wire China, Shanghai, China, Messe Düsseldorf China, (312) 781-5180, www.messe-dusseldorf.de.

North America

The Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers Inc. has moved to 1601 North Bond Street, Suite 303, Naperville, IL 60563. The fax and telephone number remain the same.

American Coil Spring Co. (ACS), Muskegon, MI, has announced the appointment of Tim Zwit as president of the company, as of January 2007. Zwit (pictured) has 20 years of experience in the spring industry. He is past president of CCS Trading Co. and had previously served as president of American Coil Spring from 2000 to 2003. In addition, he has served the industry as former chair of the Spring Manufacturers Institute Technical and Springs magazine committees. He holds an engineering degree from Purdue.

Mark Litke, former president of American Coil Spring, has been appointed vice president of operations development at Hines Corp., the parent company of ACS.

Diamond Wire Spring Co., Pittsburgh, PA, is one of several local and regional manufacturing companies recently selected to participate in the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s How People Make Things exhibit. The display opened in spring 2007 and began traveling nationally Sept. 9 to other children’s museums. About 10,000 of Diamond Wire’s springs and wire forms are featured in the factory tours exhibit that brings the manufacturing experience to life, as visitors of all ages interact via hands-on activities, such as cutting, molding, forming and assembling various parts and products manufactured in the region.

The factory tours concept of How People Make Things is part of a legacy left to generations of youngsters by Fred Rogers of the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” television series. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the Children’s Museum; Family Communications Inc., and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of School Environments.

“This exhibit brings children close to the real stuff, the nuts and bolts of how products are manufactured,” says Jane Werner, executive director of the museum. “Issues of design, engineering and function in everyday items become very real. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”

The Spring Manufacturers Institute has appointed Shane Johnson J.D. executive vice president, replacing Ken Boyce, who will retire in May 2008.

“We are thankful to Ken for his 15 years of service to the institute,” says Sebastian. “He was instrumental in taking SMI to new levels of service and professionalism.”

Johnson, pictured right, comes to SMI with 15 years of association and management experience, most recently at American Safety Training, Davenport, IA. In addition, he was the CEO of the St. Charles Association of Realtors, a congressional deputy chief of staff, regional manager and community advocate at the Alaska State Chamber, and personal representative and media spokesperson for the White House and USDA. He also is a certified leadership/human relations instructor of Dale Carnegie.

“Shane’s enthusiasm, excellent communications skills, proven management experience and fresh perspective will help us build on SMI’s strengths as well as introduce new member programs,” says Dan Sebastian, SMI president. “It is our goal to increase membership and member involvement through compelling programs, and valuable products and services.”

Johnson assumed his duties on Sept. 24, 2007. Boyce continues to act in an advisory capacity to ease the management transition and is responsible for planning the Fall Meeting as well as the 75th Anniversary Celebration in March 2008.

Johnson earned his bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Iowa State University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming.

Timothy W. Selhorst, president and CEO of American Spring Wire Corp. (ASW), Bedford Heights, MI, has announced the promotion of Bill Snyder to the position of executive vice president. He will retain the sales, marketing and purchasing responsibilities, and will add the direct reporting responsibility of each of the three ASW operating factories. He has been with ASW for 10 years and AK Steel prior to that. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Todd Roberts has been appointed to the position of general sales manager. He is responsible for sales and marketing for all of the company’s commercial, shaped and valve quality wire products. Before joining ASW, he worked at Worthington Steel Co. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Citadel.

Sumiden Wire Products Corp. has closed the San Clemente, CA, office and relocated inside sales and customer service to its factory in Dickson, TN. Ken Fleck and Ted Helms continue serving the West Coast region, while Steve Koch, Andy Ross and Bob Scheel continue serving areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Jeff Feitler continues as vice president of sales and marketing. Karen Davis is now located in Dickson, handling inside sales and customer service for the West Coast region, while Charlene Harris handles inside sales and customer service for the areas east of the Rocky Mountains. The mailing address is 710 Marshall Stuart Dr., Dickson, TN 37055, phone (615) 446-3199. The factory in Stockton, CA, continues to operate as usual to serve customers in the West Coast region.

Instron, a provider of test equipment for evaluating the mechanical properties of materials and components, with headquarters in Norwood, MA, has made a limited partnership with J.A. King & Co., Greensboro, NC. J.A. King provides accredited laboratory management services, dimensional laboratory equipment and custom products through several locations in the Southeastern U.S. The relationship enables both companies to provide customers with two tiers of services that meet different needs. These services range from a fully traceable ASTM calibration service and preventative maintenance to non-ASTM traceable calibration. Additionally, customers have the option of using J.A. King for all of their laboratory service needs.

Sam Y. Zamrik Ph.D., professor emeritus of engineering mechanics at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, has become the 126th president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Zamrik, a member of ASME for more than 34 years and recognized technical authority in pressure vessels and piping, will serve a one-year term. A fellow of ASME, he has held several leadership positions in the organization.

Manufacturers across Illinois are now eligible for financial assistance to have their technology workers trained and professionally certified by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). The financial assistance is available through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ETIP Program, and administered through the University of Illinois Business and Industry Services in Naperville, IL. For information about the grant funding, visit www.bis.uiuc.edu/grants.html. For information about CompTIA, visit www.comptia.org.

Bernard Amadei Ph.D., founding president of the humanitarian group Engineers Without Borders-U.S.A., will be the keynote speaker at the 2007 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress November 12 in Seattle. Amadei, who currently serves as professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will speak on the topic of engineering innovation, particularly as it relates to building a better world for needy populations in developing and underdeveloped countries of the world.

Amadei believes one of the greatest challenges facing the profession today is educating engineers to become facilitators of sustainable development. He is pioneering a shift in engineering education and practice called “Earth Systems Engineering,” which is aimed at creating interaction between engineering application and the Earth’s natural systems. Amadei is the co-author of two books and 150 technical papers on engineering geology, sustainability and other subjects.

North American Events

Oct. 16, 2007: West Coast Table Top Expo, Holiday Inn, La Mirada, CA, WCSMA, Rick Guard, (714) 995-5341, e-mail rguard@newcombspring.com.

Oct. 23-25, 2007: 17th Annual Shot Peening & Blast Cleaning Workshop and Tradeshow, Fiesta Inn and Resort, Tempe, AZ, (800) 832-5653, www.electronics-inc.com.

March 8-11, 2008: SMI Annual Convention and 75th Anniversary Reunion Celebration, Palm Desert, CA, SMI (630) 495-8588, www.smihq.org.

Oct. 15-17, 2008: Spring World 2008, Rosemont, IL, CASMI, (630) 369-3772, www.springworld.org.

It is with deep regret that Springs announces the passing of Thad Skladanowski and Marlene Ericson.

Thad Skladanowski, 67, of Cary, NC, died on July 19 following a brief illness. He was vice president of Baumann Springs North America, Charlotte, NC, and was instrumental in the development of the sales force for North America as well as assisting in the start-up of the plant in Mexico. He is survived by his wife Pamela of 41 years; sons, Charles and Kenneth; daughter Tracy; grandchildren, CJ and Ava; sister, Lorraine Denesowicz; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marlene Ericson died on August 12. She was the wife of Harry Ericson, general manager of Byron-Lambert, Des Plaines, IL, and past president of the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers Inc. She is survived by her husband; daughters, Michelle, Karyn, Melissa and Kristen; eight grandchildren; brother, Roger; sisters Janice and Bonnie; as well as many nieces and nephews.