Smart Molding International 2-2024

13 www.smart-molding.com newsfeed IVW and T.Michel launch cooperation in lightweight construction and composite technology Two unique partners, L e i b n i z I n s t i t u t e f o r Composite Materials (IVW) and T. Michel Formenbau GmbH & Co . KG, have joined forces to create a groundbreaking unit for future product developments in lightweight construction and composite technology for particle foam applications. This collaboration offers i ndust r i a l custome rs a s eaml e s s deve l opmen t platform– frombasic research to the production process. It enables significantly more efficient and practical product creation and industrialization. The cooperation aims to combine the innovative strengths of both companies, setting new standards in the industry. Customers benefit from the combined expertise and comprehensive knowledge of both partners, revolutionizing the development and implementation of new products. “We look forward to close cooperation and many exciting projects that will emerge from this partnership. This collaboration provides us with the opportunity to combine our strengths and thus elevate product development in lightweight and composite technology to a new level,” said Thorsten Michel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Neumeyer. About T. Michel Formenbau GmbH & Co. KG T. Michel Formenbau is a leading company in lightweight construction and composite technology, with a special focus on particle foam applications. The company is known for its innovative strength and practical solutions. About IVW The Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW) is a renowned research institution specializing in basic research and development in composite material technology. IVW is known for its outstanding research and close collaboration with the industry. IVW www.ivw.uni-kl.de Stork IMM establishes North American operations Stork Plastic Machinery B.V., Hengelo, Netherlands, has created a U.S. subsidiary – Stork IMM USA LLC – based in Swedesboro (in the Philadelphia area), New Jersey, and led by George Kotzeff and Scott Molnar. Established in the Netherlands in 1968, Stork IMM has sold injection molding machines ranging in clamp force from 200 to 2,000 tons for high- speed packaging applications into the U.S. for 25 years. To support the new North American operation, Stork IMM has named Kotzeff and Molnar as directors of business development. Based in California, Kotzeff has worked in key account manager roles at both Husky and Sidel. Most recently, he worked as a consultant with packaging companies, including Rplanet, Power Hydration and INOSIP. Based in Toronto, Molnar was formerly president of Molding Excellence in Toronto and has held executive and business development roles with injection molding, hot runner, automation and mold cooling companies, including leadership positions at RJG, Mold- Masters and Husky. Stork IMM has also partnered with industrial services and logistics firm Valley Group Inc., Fishersville, Virginia., to provide machine installation, field service and maintenance support for Stork IMM’s existing and new customers. In a release, Gert Boers, Stork IMMCEO, says the establishment of domestic service and spare parts make the company “uniquely positioned to scale up and grow our business.” Stork IMM www.storkimm.com From left to right: Prof. Dr-Ing. Thomas Neumeyer, Thorsten Michel, Pascal Sadaune (photo source: IVW) Photo: Stork IMM