Austrian fireproof materials maker RHI is confident it can turn its Norwegian plant, whose troubles cut into the company’s full-year results, to a profitable status within two years. Chief executive Franz Strutzl said recently that the proposal to close the magnesia-fusion plant was now off the table, as major technical problems had been resolved. However, work remains to be done to reduce production costs.
Fiskars Group of Finland plans to centralize the group´s glass manufacturing operations in one production site in Iittala and make significant investments in the Iittala factory. The production currently based in Nuutajärvi would be transferred to Iittala in 2014 and would continue to operate there in the new facilities.
Morgan’s Fired Refractory Shapes business, located in Bromborough, will merge with Magma Ceramics and Catalysts. The aim is to form a larger and more effective combined business, with access to a wider technology base and improved growth prospects. It is anticipated that the transfer will take full effect within the next four weeks.
