In testing times, Instron acquires Ceast

The Instron Division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has purchased materials testing equipment manufacturer Ceast (Pianezza, Italy) from its current owners and founder, Mario Grosso and his family. Grosso established Ceast in 1953.

Instron was founded in 1946 and is a market leader in the materials testing machinery industry. Yahya Gharagozlou, president of Instron Materials Testing, said his company plans to hire David Grosso as general manager of the Ceast business, which will continue to operate from its Pianezza facility.

Ceast late last year introduced its HDT Vicat 500 Aloxide testing unit, which it claims is the optimal answer for HDT/Vicat testing without the concerns that can be raised when using traditional equipment containing silicone oil baths. Rather than silicone oil, a fine aluminum-oxide powder is fluidized with compressed air to form a circulating testing bath medium. —[email protected]