Microshots: BASF, Struktol, Incoe, Cumberland, Mokon, Ferro-Tic, De-Sta-Co, Wilcoxon Research, Engel Mexico

BASF to reduce caprolactam production
Since the end of September, BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) has reduced its worldwide production of caprolactam, used to manufacture polyamide 6, to about 65% of previous levels. High energy and raw materials costs, as well as unsatisfactory market demand, were given as reasons for this reduction. This will affect production in Freeport, TX, Antwerp, Belgium, and Ludwigshafen, Germany, though it will not affect the number of employees at these locations.—KD

New president at Struktol
Specialty polymer chemical supplier Struktol Co. of America (Stow, OH; www.struktol.com) appointed Gilbert Hamrick as its new president. Hamrick has a career of executive experience in the polymer and related industries.—KD

Incoe appoints European GM
A new general manager has been appointed for Incoe’s (Troy, MI; www.incoe.com) European business unit based in Rödermark, Germany. Gunnar Gramatzki will be assuming responsibility for expanding market share throughout the region. Gramatzki has worked in the hot runner industry for the past 11 years, serving in positions including sales and marketing manager, VP sales, and managing director.—KD

Cumberland’s recycling division expands
Dave Bothelo, a veteran of the ACS Group as automation technician and technical sales manager, has taken on a new role of technical sales manager for Cumberland Recycling Systems (South Attleboro, MA; www.cumberland-plastics.com). He will help to establish a customer base for this recycling division of Cumberland Engineering, created in April 2008, and focused on recycling products and services in paper, metals, plastics, and electronic waste.—KD

NY rep for Mokon
Temperature control manufacturer Mokon (Buffalo, NY; www.mokon.com) announced that independent representative organization JNS Sales & Assoc. will exclusively cover northern and western New York State. James Sienkiewicz of JNS is based out of Williamsville, NY and has more than 20 years of industrial market experience, including the refrigeration industry.—KD

Super Wear changes name to Ferro-Tic
Making a change to match the company name with the name of the steel-bonded carbides they sell, Super Wear Technologies (Los Angeles, CA) is now Ferro-Tic. This division of PSM Industries Inc. (Los Angeles; www.psmindustries.com) has been producing the titanium carbide composites for more than 50 years under predecessors Alloy Technology and the Chromalloy–Sintercast Div., and wanted its customers to know they are buying the authentic Ferro-Tic material.—KD

De-Sta-Co completes ISO 9001 audit
Robotic tooling and automation company De-Sta-Co (Auburn Hills, MI; www.destaco.com) successfully completed its ISO 9001:2000 surveillance audit from certification organization TUV America.—KD

Wilcoxon Research adds mid-Atlantic rep
Expanding its U.S. sales channel, vibration sensors supplier Wilcoxon Research Inc. (Germantown, MD; www.wilcoxon.com) added Technical Representatives Inc. (TRI) as its representative responsible for the mid-Atlantic states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, plus eastern Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.—KD

Engel Mexico appoints new GM
Alberto Meade Garcia has been named the new general manager of Engel de Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico; www.engelglobal.com). Bringing extensive product and sales expertise to the market, Meade will manage Engel’s sales and technical service activities, while overseeing Engel de Mexico’s move from Mexico City to a new headquarters facility in Queretaro, Mexico.—CK