Industry Watch

COMPANIES

Schneider Electric and its subsidiary Elau, Inc. launched The Packaging Technology and Solutions Center that will focus exclusively on the automation, control, and power needs of the packaging machinery business.
FKI Logistex formed a dedicated Robotics Integration Group to provide customers with focused robotic palletizing and depalletizing solutions.
MWV received a chain-of-custody certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes chain of custody standards.
Shorewood Packaging, a business of International Paper, completed the first phase of its expansion into Latin America with its newest facility, Shorewood de Mexico, Aguascalientes, Mexico.
DuraCorp, LLC changed its name to SOLUT!
Multivac Inc. teamed with Johnson-Diversey to deliver a customized sanitation plan to every customer purchasing a Multivac packaging system with CIP option.
The Carlyle Group partnered with J. H. Whitney & Co. to acquire Authentix, Inc.

PEOPLE

Justin Testa was promoted to executive vice president for Cognex Corp.
Multisorb Technologies appointed the following business development leaders: Robert Sabdo, food and beverage
packaging, and Rick Cellich, healthcare packaging.
Michelman announced the following personnel additions and promotions: Luc Vanderstappen was promoted to European business manager, chemical specialties; David Williams was named senior account manager, Europe, U.K. flexible packaging and chemical specialties accounts; Yves De Smet, PhD, was appointed global marketing manager, fibers & composites; and Linus Yoong was hired as new business development manager, Asia.
Steven Connolly has joined Secure Symbology in a systems validation, documentation, and serialization capacity.
Delkor hired Michael Lee as director of engineering and manufacturing.
Alcan Packaging, Div. of Rio Tinto Alcan, named Michael Rubenstein chief growth and innovation officer and Mike Schmitt president, Global Pharmaceutical packaging business.
Thomas Michalsen was named marketing director of Weber Marking Systems.
Ray Musson was named regional sales manager for MGS Machine Corp.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Lowry Computer Products reached the milestone of having over 200 active RFID clients.
Frost & Sullivan presented Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. with the 2008 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Leadership.
The Folding Carton Div. of Rock-Tenn Co. achieved Fiber Sourcing Certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

IN MEMORIUM

Mike White, vice president and general manager, Ossid, died on April 21, 2008.