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, Clinton, Tenn., is both consolidating and expanding operations in the Midwest as part of its ongoing investment to meet increasing market demand for advanced products and rapid response from operational efficiencies. Its Batavia, Ill. plant is undergoing expansion, including the addition of several extrusion lines with both new equipment and hardware relocated from its plant in Avon, Ohio, which was acquired in 2008 through the Accel Corp. acquisition.

The expansion at the three-year-old 80,000-sq.ft. Batavia facility is slated for completion by year’s end and will include consolidation of the Avon operations, with that plant’s shutdown. New employees will be added in production, technical, and other support positions during the remainder of the year, as Techmer aims to create a “Midwest Center of Excellence” at the Batavia site. Moreover, the consolidation will help the company gain efficiencies via material handling upgrades and automation, while the expansion will result in a 30% net increase in capacity of color and additives concentrates for a broad range of market sectors.

Meanwhile, Techmer PM’s wholly owned subsidiary is near completion of its New Castle, Del. plant, representing a $2.6-million investment in its specialty engineered thermoplastic compounds. The first production line is already on stream, and all lines are expected to be up and running by the end of June.

Search for more of Techmer’s color &additives masterbatches in PT’s additives database; and for more on its engineered compounds in PT’s materials database.