Marel hf. has acquired all shares in the Danish food equipment manufacturer Scanvaegt International AS. The two companies will continue to operate in the market as two separate business units with two individual brands. “Scanvaegt has a very good reputation and high-quality products. It is important to stress that this is a joining of forces between two very good companies,” said Hordur Arnarson, CEO of Marel. “We regard it as an important step towards fulfilling Marel’s strategy of becoming one of the leading global manufacturers of food processing equipment, and to triple the Group’s annual revenues in the next three to five years.”

“The many mergers and acquisitions in the food industry are creating ever-larger companies,” said Lars Grundtvig, chairman of Scanvaegt. “Scanvaegt and Marel have to grow as well, and I am confident that the joining of the companies will lead to further profitable growth for both, with a wider product range to meet the growing demands of the food processing industry. I want to see this happen, which will give the people at Scanvaegt new opportunities for developing as part of a company with a large global potential, as well as provide better service to our customers.”

Paratherm Corp. is reducing prices for two specialized thermal system-cleaning liquids for a two-month period this summer, concluding on Sept. 30, 2006. The company is calling it the Summer Maintenance Special, noting that many manufacturing plants lighten production during the summer months or even schedule shutdowns or equipment rotations. The liquids included in the special are the Paratherm LC™ Large-System Cleaner Liquid and the Paratherm SC® Hot-Oil-Unit Cleaner Liquid.

Mettler-Toledo Safeline Inc. has introduced its new Web site, www.mt.com/safelineus, offering visitors an organized and user-friendly interface to readily find information about the company’s product inspection equipment and services. Along with finding information about the company’s line of metal detectors and X-ray systems, visitors can read case studies, current news and events. They can also learn about the Safeline bus, which offers on-site training and demonstrations.

Food Safety Net Services has opened a new full-service laboratory located in Grand Prairie, Texas, a relocation of the company’s Richardson laboratory. In addition to several specialized laboratory areas, the facility boasts a large commercial test kitchen and a technologically advanced training and conference room. It is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. The company was also named the “Woman-Owned Small Business Contractor of the Year 2006” by the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.

Treofan Group, a German manufacturer of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, has nearly doubled capacity at its North American plant in Zacapu, Mexico. Treofan will invest approximately $45 million in expanding production and R&D facilities, including a state-of-the-art high-speed production line, to be supplied by Brueckner. The expansion will support growth with key customers in North America.

AmeriCold announces the grand opening of its second Charlotte, N.C., facility, located at 2401 Nevada Boulevard in the former Winn-Dixie distribution center. AmeriCold has invested nearly $4 million in this 400,000-square-foot facility, which has more than 6.6 million cubic feet of freezer capacity (equal to 20,250 pallet positions) and more than 4.5 million cubic feet of cooler space (9,500 pallet positions). The Schwan Food Co. is among one of the numerous customers who are utilizing this major, Southeastern logistics hub.

Wells Lamont Industry Group has announced that United Sales Associates has joined its U.S. sales force. United Sales Associates has dedicated sales resources that will provide superior support to Wells Lamont customers addressing hand and arm protection issues. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati with branch offices in Kentucky, New York, Tennessee, Michigan and Indiana.