30 June 2008
AddisonMckee to co-host tube processing seminars in South Africa

AddisonMckee, the global tube bending and end-forming technology specialists, is to co-host a series of tube processing-related seminars with machine tools business, Retecon/Vite Machinery (PTY) Ltd., South Africa. Laser cutting specialists, TRUMPF Gmbh & Co. KG will also participate.

Up-and-coming manufacturing center

“South Africa is rapidly showing its credentials as an up-and-coming provider of high-quality tubular components, especially for the automotive vehicle exhaust sector,” comments AddisonMckee Director of Global Marketing, Christian Rogiers.

“It, therefore, seemed only appropriate,” he continued, “to both champion and help stage a series of events focused on bringing even higher levels of understanding regarding the tube bending process and achieving greater heights of tubular component manufacturing excellence. Having conducted numerous seminars globally, and offering a whole range of training programs, we now look forward to presenting our expertise through the ‘Tube Seminar Series South Africa’.”

For its part in the seminars, AddisonMckee will focus on three topics – tube bending, end-forming processes, applications, and machinery, and associated tooling.

The tube-bending portion of each seminar will focus on the different processes and applications associated with achieving accuracy and repeatability in the tube bending process. Content will be rich in applications data and contain a wide range of valuable reference material.

The tube end-forming presentation will detail the disciplines of tube end-forming and trimming, as well as the use and development of specialist machinery, particularly for the manufacture of mufflers/silencers and catalytic converters.

Finally, in its tooling presentation, AddisonMckee will investigate the various tooling types associated with tube bending and end-forming, as well as detailing specific applications, processes and industry developments.

Additional topics that will be covered by the other participants will include: laser welding of tubes and profiles, laser cutting of tubes and profiles, and 3D processing of tubes and profiles.

“We firmly believe that the ‘Tube Seminar Series South Africa’ will be of particular benefit to individuals and organizations involved in automotive component manufacture,” concludes Christian Rogiers, “although there will be significant benefits for attendees from other sectors involved in tube manipulation.”

Seminar dates and venues

So far, three ‘Tube Seminar Series South Africa’ seminars have been scheduled. They are: Durban, 28th July 2008; Port Elizabeth, 29th July 2008 and Johannesburg 31st July 2008.

About AddisonMckee

2008 winners of Managing Automation magazine's Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards – a prestigious award based on an organization’s ability to use information and automation technologies to transform its business and create a sustainable competitive advantage – AddisonMckee is globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world's finest tube bending and end forming technologies - for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements.

In addition, AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative muffler and catalytic converter assembly solutions, hydraulic press machinery, tube inspection systems, plant automation and complete workcell integration.

In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services. Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.

From its state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and China, AddisonMckee is committed to providing rapid solutions to market and also regularly assists clients in product prototyping, parts development, small production runs and pre-production sample development.

AddisonMckee is principally owned by WHI Capital Partners (WHICP), a Chicago-based private equity group that invests in middle market, industry-leading companies with solid financial fundamentals and proven management teams. WHICP is an affiliate of William Harris Investors, Inc., a family-based asset management firm founded by Irving B. Harris in 1987.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Thomas – BHL Marketing
E-mail: rachel@bhlmarketing.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1244 851850
Fax: +44 (0) 1244 851888

Christian Rogiers – AddisonMckee
E-mail: crogiers@addisonmckee.com
Tel: +1 513 228 7076
Fax: +1 513 228 7226