Manufacturers will discover how they can become more globally competitive by applying the principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement throughout their enterprise at "Making It In America: Rising Up to the Global Manufacturing Challenge with Lean Manufacturing," the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' (SME) Management Forum, to be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH.

Permacel, the pressure-sensitive tape subsidiary of Nitto Americas, has announced a manufacturing facilities consolidation that will result in the closure of its North Brunswick, NJ, production plant.

Out in front of ever-changing customer needs, and recognizing its growing international stencil business, DEK, the world's leading high-accuracy mass imaging solutions provider, has announced the installation of next-generation laser cutting equipment in its Guadalajara, Mexico, stencil manufacturing facility.

Acetex Corp. has announced the finalization of definitive joint venture agreements with National Petrochemical Industrialization Co. regarding the construction of world class acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) and methanol projects to be established in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

BASF's Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) business has added three members to its Architectural Representatives Team, a group of design and material experts that promote innovative construction technologies directly to architects.

For the second consecutive year, Business Ethics magazine has named Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE:MTX) to its list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

The past several years have been difficult for the U.S. adhesive and sealant industry as a steady movement of manufacturing to Asia has contributed to weak growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

A new online ordering system on the TruSeal Technologies, Inc. website allows insulating glass (IG) fabricators to quickly order replacement parts for their hand tool applicators.

UCAR Emulsion Systems (UES), a global business of The Dow Chemical Co., has announced that Union Carbide Corp. will cease manufacturing operations for UES at Union Carbide's Somerset, NJ, facility.

Solvay Chemicals, Inc. has announced a 4.5% increase in the list and off-list pricing of its CAPA Caprolactone product line (monomer, polyols and thermoplastics).