SHAKERS

Sonobond Ultrasonics President Retires

Janet Devine, president of Sonobond Ultrasonics, Inc. announced that she will retire effective January 3, 2023. 2022 began with her decision to retire as president of Sonobond at the end of the year. General Manager, Manning Smith IV, will be taking over as president and Devine has happily agreed to continue in a technical advisory position during a transition period.

Earlier this year Devine announced that Sonobond had become a part of Inductotherm Group’s Welding Division. Although Sonobond has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Inductotherm Group’s parent company for over 30 years, the company now has greater access to advanced power supply technologies through the Welding Group’s global service contacts and expanded supply chain resources.

“I leave Sonobond Ultrasonics after starting as a junior member of the team that invented ultrasonic metal welding, as well as participating in the many other ultrasonic innovations the company has achieved. These include being part of the company’s successful development of ultrasonic welding equipment for the non-ferrous metals industry, and the growing market for EV vehicles. It has been an interesting journey!

“I am confident Sonobond’s success will continue under Manning Smith’s and Inductotherm Group’s expert technical and management capabilities,” Devine said. www.sonobond.com

Sartorius names Maurice Phelan as new President for North America

Sartorius, a leading international partner of life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry, announced Maurice Phelan has assumed the role of President of Sartorius North America. He succeeds Mary Lavin, who has retired after nearly 35 years.

Sartorius North America, headquartered in Bohemia, New York, currently employs more than 3,000 employees across 17 sites in the United States and Canada.

Phelan has spent many years in the industry and recently rejoined Sartorius from Repligen, where he was Vice President of Fluid Management. Before that, he served as Head of Operations of the Sartorius site in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Previously, he held leadership roles at GE Healthcare and Merck Millipore. Mr. Phelan holds degrees in chemistry and experimental physics from the National University of Ireland. www.sartorius.com

Koch Separation Solutions Partners with Aqana on Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

Koch Separation Solutions (KSS) is partnering with Aqana to offer anaerobic wastewater treatment technology to industrial customers in North America.

The partnership will focus on moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), membrane bioreactors (MBR), and reverse osmosis (RO) to meet the demands of a variety of industrial wastewater treatment challenges.

“We are delighted to be working closely with Aqana, one of the most innovative suppliers of high-rate anaerobic wastewater technology. The synergies between our technologies will allow us to offer a full scope of wastewater treatment systems,” said Manny Singh, president of Koch Separation Solutions.

“This partnership will enable many industries in North America to include a profitable anaerobic wastewater treatment step where previously this seemed unfeasible or did not bring them the expected benefits,” said Olaf Teunissen, CEO of Aqana.

www.kochseparations.com

Ingersoll Rand Acquires SPX Flow’s Air Treatment Business

Ingersoll Rand Inc. has completed the acquisition of SPX Flow’s Air Treatment business in an all-cash transaction of approximately $525 million.

The Air Treatment business, which is now part of Ingersoll Rand’s Industrial Technologies and Services (IT&S) segment, brings a highly complementary product portfolio of energy efficient compressed air dryers, filters and other consumables, with brands including Hankison, Pneumatic Products, Jemaco, Deltech and Delair.

Nearly 50% of the business’s expected 2022 revenue of approximately $180 million is from aftermarket sales to its installed base.

www.irco.com

Fibertex Corp.’s North American Fiber Operations acquired by Stein Fibers

Stein Fibers, LLC, a leading distributor of textile products, announced that it has acquired Fibertex Corporation’s North American fiber operations.

The combination of Fibertex and Stein Fibers will expand the leading fiber product portfolio in North America and allow each company to better serve its customers.

Ernest Elias, president of Fibertex, said, “I am excited to partner with the Stein Fibers organization, which shares the same core values and believe the combination will provide an opportunity to grow our relationships with both customers and suppliers.”

Jaren Edwards, president of Stein Fibers, said, “It is a privilege to partner with such a well-respected industry expert in Ernest, who takes so much pride in customer service and business integrity.”

Robert Taylor, chief operating officer of Stein Fibers, added, “We are truly excited to work with Ernest as Fibertex and Stein Fibers have similar histories rooted in a deep family commitment to the textile industry that has stretched generations. We look forward to continuing to be the premier textile partner for our customers and suppliers.” www.steinfibers.com

Hollingsworth & Vose to invest $40.2 million in Virginia

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Hollingsworth & Vose (H&V), a global manufacturer of advanced materials used in filtration, battery and industrial applications, will invest $40.2 million to expand its operation in Floyd County, Va.

The company will add over 28,000 square feet to its facility at 365 Christiansburg Pike Northeast to accommodate new production equipment to meet increased demand. Virginia successfully competed with Georgia for the project, which will create 25 new jobs.

“Hollingsworth & Vose has generated positive economic impact and job opportunities in Floyd County for more than four decades, and this significant investment further solidifies the company’s commitment to Virginia,” said Gov. Youngkin. “Businesses with a long history of expansion in the Commonwealth offer powerful testimonials on why a Virginia location is a foundation for success, and we look forward to a continued partnership with H&V.” www.governor.virginia.gov