TPi January 2018

business & market news Unison to open US manufacturing facility

Over the last three years Unison has been investing heavily in research and development in robotics, lasers and software, and during 2018 will be bringing several new products to the US market. Unison has been providing tube bending solutions for more than 40 years, working closely with customers to design and build pioneering tube bending technology. Unison Ltd – UK

manufacturing operation in the Cane Creek Centre Industrial Park, jointly owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. Julian Kidger, joint managing director, commented, “We are incredibly excited about the benefits this facility will give our existing and future customers. “Our plan includes the creation of 35 new jobs in the next three years. It will be fantastic to genuinely be able to label our machines as Made in America. Supporting our customers’ needs is hugely important to us. Many of our initial hires for the US will be dedicated to service and support, ensuring a rapid and professional response for all customers.”

Tube-bending solutions provider Unison Ltd is increasing its manufacturing capacity and opening a new factory in Virginia, USA. This will be Unison’s second manu- facturing facility, establishing the company’s production capabilities in the USA. The new factory in Danville, Virginia, is intended to support the activities of the plant in North Yorkshire, UK, which has witnessed a manufacturing growth that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Unison will invest $5.2mn to establish its first US Engineered joining technology company Norma Group has ranked among the top five per cent of all companies evaluated in the EcoVadis rating, for the second consecutive time. The company achieved Gold Status for its sustainability performance. “The impact of ‘megatrends’ such as climate change and resource scarcity is increasingly shaping the economy and society around the world,” said Werner Deggim, CEO of Norma Group. “Our products and technologies, such as our weight-saving urea lines for exhaust gas cleaning in diesel vehicles, contribute to a reduction in emissions. In addition, we are continually pursuing goals in order to manufacture not only more environmentally friendly and safer, but also to sustainably manage the company as a whole. The new EcoVadis Gold Status shows us that we are making good progress with our measures.” EcoVadis is an independent service provider for sustainability ratings. The assessment makes companies’ sustainability activities globally measurable and comparable.

sales@unisonltd.com www.unisonltd.com

Unison Tube LLC – USA enquiries@unisonltd.com www.unisonltd.com Norma achieves gold in sustainability assessment

occupational safety and corporate ethics. Only around five per cent of all companies analysed reach Gold Status. Norma Group achieved the scores necessary for Gold Status in the evaluation in both 2016 and 2017. The company has been strategically managing its activities in the area of corporate responsibility (CR) since 2012. These currently include the start of an aid project in Brazil that will provide 400 families with access to clean drinking water. Norma manufactures a wide range of connecting solutions and water management technology, offering more than 35,000 products to customers in 100 countries. Its joining products can be found in vehicles and trains, ships and aircraft, buildings and water management, as well as in applications for the pharma- ceutical and biotechnology industry. Norma Group SE – Germany www.normagroup.com

Four categories are assessed: environment, labour practices, fair business practices and sustainable procurement. Various factors are taken into account, such as measures to reduce energy and water consumption, the existence of a code of conduct for the company’s suppliers, and employee training on

Werner Deggim, CEO of Norma Group

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January 2018 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL