Century Extrusion Is Finding a Fertile Market in Far-Flung Places

Century Extrusion, a U. S. Maker of twin-screw extruders, is finding a fertile market in far-flung places. And, given that Century’s parent, CPM Holdings Inc., broadened its scope when it bought one of China’s largest extruder makers, Nanjing Ruiya Polymer Processing Equipment Co. Ltd., in 2007, Century’s leadership is particularly comfortable in China. Bob Urtel, president of the Traverse City, Mich. -based company, said in an April 20 interview at Chinaplas 2012 in Shanghai that “the activity level of this market continues to be just superior. ” As for Chinaplas itself, he says “it attracts the world market, ” citing the diversity of visitors to Century’s booth at the four-day annual show, held April 18-21. Halfway through the show, Urtel said Century already had sold two extrusion lines — a 35mm Apex-brand line to a customer in North Africa, and a two-stage TSE tandem-series PVC line to someone in Russia. The latter features a twin-screw extruder that feeds into a single-screw extruder, for processing shear-sensitive materials. He valued those two deals, including related equipment such as feeders and pelletizers, at about $500, 000. Additionally, the Apex 70mm line — dubbed the CX70 — on display on his firm’s booth was sold, along with a second, identical line — before the show. Both lines will be delivered after Chinaplas to a multinational compounding customer in China. That customer — whom Urtel declined to identify — already runs four of Century’s large 133 models. Additionally, he said, Century has three more of its mid-market Apex lines going to customers in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. All these machines are made in Nanjing, China. Urtel said the firm’s sales, from both its Chinese and Michigan plants, total about 150 full extrusion lines per year. Source: plasticsnews.com