Displaying items by tag: Xerium Technologies

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, has announced that Harold Bevis, President and CEO; Cliff Pietrafitta, Chief Financial Officer and David Pretty, President, Xerium North America and Europe will present at the Jefferies Industrials Conference on Thursday August 13, 2015 at 8:00 AM EDT at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City and be available for investor meetings on August 12^th and 13^th.

The presentation materials will also be posted on the Company Website and be archived there for a period of one year.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 27 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,100 employees.

Two Plants, New Headquarters, New Supply Chain, $60 million Investment

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, has announced that it has materially completed the $60 million successful restructuring of its business in China. The business is now in a position to locally serve customers in China, Asia, and also export certain products globally. The make-over of its China and Asian business has taken over 3 years to complete with a number of key aspects required for full implementation. Xerium has implemented an all-Asian business model and will now run its entire Asian business from Shanghai.

Kunshan, China Press Felt Plant (Photo: Business Wire)

Highlights of the repositioning of Xerium’s Asia business are as follows:

• Production has begun at Kunshan, China Press Felt Plant – Xerium completed a 2 year, multi-million dollar construction project to build and equip a brand-new press felt plant in Kunshan, China. This greenfield plant is located in the heart of the Yangtze River paper-making region, which is at the center of the largest paper-making region in the world - China. It took over 2 years to design, build, equip, and commission. Until this new plant began production, Xerium served this region mainly as an exporter of products made in Europe. Xerium has significantly increased its competitive position with this plant and will now be able to more closely partner with customers in China and the rest of the world.

  For the first time ever, customers in China will receive locally provided and optimized state-of-the-art press felt solutions from Xerium. Xerium will conduct business in local currency and local languages. The Kunshan plant will be able to service the largest pulp, paper, paperboard, and tissue machines in the world, as the main machine in the plant is greater than 15 meters wide. This central machine and its foundation weighed almost 1 million pounds at installation, and is one of the largest of its type in the world. For some press felt designs, the company will be able to make 3 pieces simultaneously - a first for the company. The plant has state-of-the-art information systems and supply chain interfaces along with real time operational communication systems throughout the site. It is conducting business from a new Infor™ information technology platform. The company is moving a large portion of its press felt production to this plant in China. The plant has initiated production.

• Renovated Changzhou, China Rolls Plant – Xerium completed a 2 year, multi-million dollar investment program to completely renovate its rolls and mechanical service plant in Changzhou, China. This plant is located in the Yangtze River paper-making region. Until this renovation was completed, Xerium had served this region for many decades by exporting high-end working rolls from Europe. Xerium has now transferred all of its technology to this plant – SMART® Roll production cell, spreader roll production cell, polyurethane production cell, suction box production cell, upgraded extrusion and drilling equipment. The plant can now produce all of Xerium’s designs. The plant recently received ISO-9000 quality certification.
• Implemented new Asia Headquarters in Shanghai- Moved and reincorporated Xerium Asia headquarters into the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. This special Chinese government approval allows Xerium to import/export at the lowest possible cost, expedite customs processing, provide shorter lead times for materials transfer, enables maximum leverage of working capital for Xerium across Asia, and receive improved tax treatment as a local Chinese business entity. The entity is now in place.
• Implemented new Chinese Capital Structure – Implemented a local capital structure and banking relationship by moving a portion of the Xerium corporate debt structure to China. The company has implemented a multi-million RMB on-going loan in China with ICBC, the largest bank in the world. Xerium will now conduct local business in local currency (RMB), finance and fund its China business locally in RMB. This will also enable Xerium to both secure a natural business hedge and receive local entity tax treatment. The new loan and new ICBC financial relationship are complete and in place.
• Localized all Asian Leadership - Moved its Asia business leadership from the United States and Europe to China. The key top personnel moves were: moved President and CFO positions from the US to Shanghai, moved Sales leadership from Europe and Australia to Shanghai, moved technical leadership from Europe to Shanghai. All of these personnel moves are complete.
• Implemented Chinese IT structure - Moved its IT and data support from Europe to Shanghai. The company has completed its data center in Shanghai and is partnered with SAP as its provider for rolls plant information technology, and is partnered with Infor™ for machine clothing plant information technology. Both technology providers have huge businesses in China and are also located in Shanghai.
• Implemented Contemporary Asian Supply Chain - Moved its Asia supply chain and warehousing activities from in-house/locally provided into a global partnership with Panalpina. Panalpina is one of the world’s leading providers of end-to-end supply chain solutions. Xerium is connecting its internal systems with Panalpina to give its customers a seamless electronic supply chain. The supply chain moves are in place.

Changzhou, China Rolls & Mechanical Service Plant (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Harold Bevis, President and CEO of Xerium, made several comments regarding this business realignment. “Competing and winning in China and throughout Asia is central to Xerium’s corporate repositioning. Xerium’s legacy markets in North American and European newsprint, printing and writing are all under pressure. These market segments are going through permanent correction. Several years ago, the Board of Xerium decided to tackle this situation head-on and reposition its assets and commercial profile directly into growth markets globally.

“These China investments have taken a few years and a lot of money to implement. We are very happy that these new investments are coming on line now. The commercial objective is to provide machine optimization solutions with world-class technology and shorter lead times, at a local cost structure. Customers will immediately benefit from improved costs, better lead times, better technology, and better service. This new business start-up is a key part of Xerium’s investment strategy to realign its global business model and global factory locations to line up with growth markets in the world.

This business restructuring is an important part of the business strategy being deployed at Xerium – to reposition the company into growth markets. We are excited about our new future in Asia. This restructured business is now underway producing and selling machine clothing, performing on-machine service, and performing in-factory rolls and mechanical service.” added Mr. Bevis.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 27 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,100 employees.

Appoints Ahmet Gureli as General Manager for Region

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, has commissioned its new business in Turkey. This new regional hub will serve customers in Turkey, Southeast Europe, and the Middle East including:

• all Huyck.Wangner machine clothing products for all applications - pulp, paper, nonwoven production, converting
• all Stowe Woodward roll recovering and roll services
• in-mill machine service and machine optimization
• factory-provided equipment repair
• all sales, service, and supply chain activities

The business will be headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey and will be led by Mr. Ahmet Gureli. Mr. Gureli is the new General Manager of Xerium Turkey. Mr. Gureli is a 3^rd generation industry veteran with three decades of experience and relationships in the region. Mr. Gureli and his local team will be responsible for all of Xerium’s activities in the region – technology, service, sales, marketing, plant operations, and supply chain activities.

Xerium has conducted business in the region for many decades as an exporter, and has now built an indigenous supply capability. The centerpiece of the business start-up is a brand-new greenfield plant located in Corlu, Turkey. The new plant took over 2 years to design, build, equip and commission. Corlu will continue to ramp production capabilities throughout the third quarter. The facility contains state-of-the-art rolls and services machines from Europe. Xerium has transferred all of its best practices and all of its patented technology solutions to the region. The plant has state-of-the-art information systems and supply chain interfaces and is conducting business from an SAP technology platform.

For the first time ever, customers in the region will receive locally provided & locally optimized state-of-the-art rubber extrusion technology, and state-of-the-art polyurethane technology. The Corlu plant will be able to service large rolls from any industry or application. The plant has one of the largest grinding machines in this region and was built to handle rolls up to 80 metric tonnes in weight.

The commercial objective is to provide machine optimization solutions with world-class technology, short lead times, and a local cost structure. The customers in the region deserve this world-class approach and we are proud to provide it. Customers will immediately receive better prices, better lead times, better technology, and better service. This new business start-up is part of Xerium’s investment strategy to realign its global business model and global factory locations to line up with growth markets in the world.

Mr. Harold Bevis, President and CEO of Xerium, made several comments regarding this entrepreneurial business start-up. “As with all new business start-ups, there are many aspects to success and it requires a great team effort over a sustained amount of time. We were able to do that and we want to recognize a few people. First, we want to thank our wonderful partners in Turkey – the Eren family and the Eren Group executives. It is difficult to start a new business in a new region, to be aware and observant of local customs, to find and hire local talent, to transfer a huge amount of machine and process technology, and to align properly with local customers. The Eren family and executives have been outstanding partners, helping us along the way from beginning to end. We are thankful for their help and partnership.

Second, we are thankful for the new employees who have joined the Xerium team. Led by Mr. Ahmet Gureli, we have hired a complete experienced team of factory-direct sales, service, and operational personnel. The Xerium team in Duren, Germany trained the operations team and helped install and transfer the company’s technology and best practices. The operational startup has been led by Mr. Bernd Hahne, Global Vice President of all of Xerium’s rolls and service plants.

Third, we are thankful for our customers in the region who have embraced our entrepreneurial start-up and our local business commitments and investments. The teamwork between our customers and the Turkey based team is well underway, with the mutual goal of having our customers’ machines run in the best possible manner, with great lead times, and a great cost structure. The entire business start-up has been led by Mr. Dave Pretty, President of Xerium’s businesses in both Europe and North America.

This new business start-up is an important part of the new business strategy being deployed at Xerium – reposition the company into growth markets. We are excited that this new business is underway selling machine clothing, performing on-machine service, and performing in-factory service. Already, the plant has performed in-factory service on a critical roll on the largest paper machine in Turkey,” said Mr. Harold Bevis, President and CEO of Xerium.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 25 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,100 employees.

Source: Xerium Technologies, Inc.

Xerium Technologies, Inc.
Cliff Pietrafitta, 919-526-1444
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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or
Xerium Turkey Contact
Ahmet Gureli, +90-532-241-69-69
General Manager – Xerium Turkey
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or
ICR Inc.
Dan Whalen, 203-682-8277
Senior Vice President
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Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, was the Northwest Louisiana recipient of the 2015 Lantern Award. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the Governors’ Mansion in Baton Rouge, LA.

Louisiana Economic Development selected Xerium’s Stowe Woodward division in Ruston as their choice amongst a field of outstanding nominations, recognizing Xerium for excellence in manufacturing and outstanding service to the Ruston community.

“Xerium is committed to operational excellence in all of its facilities – fair prices, great cost structures, outstanding quality, and on-time delivery. We made a big decision two years ago to make a large investment in the Ruston plant in order to further its performance against these goals. The Ruston plant and team are ideally located in the heart of one of the company’s most important regional locations. We are extremely proud of our team in Ruston, LA. We are thankful to be recognized as a top manufacturer in the region. This is a well-deserved award for the Ruston team,” said Mr. Harold Bevis, President and CEO of Xerium.

“Xerium is committed to aligning its operational footprint and capabilities to win in the global markets. Achieving this goal requires both investment in certain plants and, at the same time, permanent closure of high-cost, suboptimal plants. Ruston is a strategic plant for Xerium. We are committed to continuous innovation in its manufacturing processes and delivering ever-higher quality to its customers. There is a lot yet to accomplish in Ruston to achieve our internal goals. But it is special to pause and reflect how far we have come already, and accept this award as a hard-earned recognition. Thank you to all involved with selecting Xerium’s Ruston, Louisiana plant as an outstanding manufacturing operation.”

More details about the award are available at http://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/1081.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Xerium has 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries, two new plants under construction in 2 countries and employs approximately 3,100 employees.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, has announced that it has initiated closure proceedings with the representative union officials at its PMC facility in Warwick, Quebec Canada. Production will be transferred to Xerium’s lower-cost plants outside of North America.

“The Warwick plant has a great history of making high-quality products. Unfortunately, it also is a very high-cost plant that has a cost structure that is almost twice as high as Xerium’s low cost plants due to several key factors including: pension and benefit costs, machine uptime, productivity, and a declining local-market business. The machine clothing business is mostly build-to-forecast wherein customers order ahead of time, thereby allowing for servicing of the demand from low cost facilities. Several of Xerium’s competitors provide very high-quality products and have much more advantaged cost structures and plant locations. The only way to fight back against this structural setback is to be more productive – i.e. – to get more production out for the same amount of manhours/cost. Unfortunately, this was not the case at Warwick. Most of Warwick’s production will move to Europe. Xerium will continue to fix its global cost issue in the machine clothing business. We still have a few more plants that have serious issues,” said Harold Bevis, Xerium’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“As with all plant closures,” continued Mr. Bevis, “these are difficult decisions which have a significant impact on our people, their families, and the communities where they live and work. Unfortunately, this is a straight-forward business decision given the economic realities involved. These actions will help increase the company’s competitiveness and enable it to be a better supplier to its customers."

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,100 employees.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, is participating at the Zellcheming EXPO 2015, 110th Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany June 30 to July 2^nd 2015.

Xerium representatives will be speaking at the Pre-evening Press Conference showcasing the company’s latest machine clothing and rolls technology.

Ernst Kerschhofer, VP Sales & Service EMEA, Oliver Baumann, Global VP Machine Clothing Technology, and Robert Marchhart, Global Product Manager will give presentations about Xerium’s newest innovations for the European paper market focusing on the packaging segment. Material development and new fabric structures enable a perfect balance of dewatering, retention and lifetime of Xerium’s forming fabric packaging product line. The company will also present a single base press felt technology product line for packing applications specifically developed to meet the wide range of requirements on these demanding machines. The speakers will also review the company’s exclusive SMART Technology for suction press roll applications which provides machine managers and operators an innovative new tool to optimize their press sections using real-time nip data.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Xerium has 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries, two new plants under construction in 2 countries and employs approximately 3,100 employees.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, recently launched Aurora, a new advanced cover technology for corona treater positions on flexible packaging machines. Aurora Technology was specially engineered for high performance corona treater applications. Aurora operates well at highest dyne levels, while producing extremely uniform corona treatment, and is extremely resistant to roll cover burn-through. Aurora is built with superior dielectric strength, improved thermal conductivity, and superior volume resistivity, which in total provide flexible packaging producers improved machine performance, longer roll cover life and reduced energy consumption. Learn more about Aurora technology at http://www.xerium.com/news/xerium-news.aspx.

“Our objective is always to develop innovative product technology with measurable value for our customers. And we are very excited to see the benefits Aurora technology will deliver to the global flexible packaging industry.”

“We are delighted to introduce the new Aurora family of corona treater roll covers. This new generation technology which will help our customers achieve higher efficiency levels on their machines without roll cover burn through,” said Mr. Bill Butterfield, EVP and CTO of Xerium. “Our objective is always to develop innovative product technology with measurable value for our customers. And we are very excited to see the benefits Aurora technology will deliver to the global flexible packaging industry.”

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Xerium has 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries, two new plants under construction in 2 countries and employs approximately 3,100 employees.

Xerium Technologies, Inc.
Steve Cole, 336-260-4672
Director – Global Marketing
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Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, announced that Mr. Bill Butterfield, EVP and CTO, will present a technical paper titled “Improving Machine Performance for Success in Today's Challenging Market” at the RISI Asia Conference in Shanghai, China on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.

“As global paperboard makers face increasing demands for higher quality and improved printability, they also face additional challenges in terms of the furnish quality and lower basis weights without sacrificing sheet strength and properties”

Mr. Butterfield’s paper will focus on unique solutions that enable paperboard makers to be more globally competitive in today’s market environment.

“As global paperboard makers face increasing demands for higher quality and improved printability, they also face additional challenges in terms of the furnish quality and lower basis weights without sacrificing sheet strength and properties,” said Butterfield. “Paperboard machines are often required to produce multiple grades and sheet weights on the same equipment making it even more difficult to deliver consistently high quality and printability. Today’s producers are also challenged by environmental policies requiring higher recycled content and renewable fiber sources, reducing energy and water consumption, and reducing effluent wastewater.”

The presentation will review Xerium’s innovative approach to helping customers manage the complex optimization process for machine clothing and rolls which are critical to paperboard quality, machine performance and cost objectives, as well as how advanced technologies can uphold environmental objectives.

“Xerium’s SMART Technology and Rezolve machine simulation system use sophisticated predictive analysis coupled with real-time monitoring to provide paperboard makers with innovative decision-making tools to significantly enhance machine performance while minimizing downtime and cost-per-ton. The Rezolve system utilizes hundreds of variables on a paper machine to develop fact-based technical recommendations on clothing and roll cover technology rather than relying on sales-driven opinions. Ultimately, our technologies create customized solutions for each machine, delivering documented improved machine performance, while also supporting sustainability and reductions in energy, fiber and specialty chemicals”, said Butterfield.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, recently launched Blue Diamond, a new generation of advanced polyurethane roll cover technology for superior performance on the harshest of press nip conditions. Blue Diamond roll covers are specifically engineered to deliver exceptional stability in the most demanding nip conditions providing long-running dewatering performance and superior resistance to groove closure, which is critical for consistent venting performance. The new roll covers are available in grooved and drilled patterns and include the company’s exclusive Fusion bonding system for additional life. Learn more about Blue Diamond technology at http://www.xerium.com/news/xerium-news.aspx.

“As always, our mission is to develop innovative technology to help our customers achieve new performance levels with reduced operating costs.”

“The rolls technology team has developed this new generation of polyurethane for those demanding nip conditions where conventional covers suffer from premature groove closure. Blue Diamond’s exclusive formulation delivers stable performance and long life which is especially important on covers with grooved and drilled patterns for enhanced dewatering performance,” said Mr. Bill Butterfield, EVP and CTO of Xerium. “As always, our mission is to develop innovative technology to help our customers achieve new performance levels with reduced operating costs.”

About Xerium

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Xerium has 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries, two new plants under construction in 2 countries and employs approximately 3,100 employees.

Xerium Technologies, Inc.
Steve Cole, 336-260-4672
Director – Global Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, will host 14 students from the UMaine Student TAPPI/PIMA Chapter for plant tours at two of the company’s world-class European manufacturing facilities in Gloggnitz, Austria and Reutlingen, Germany. The students will also visit the R&D labs and view product demos and technical presentations while at the Xerium facilities May 15 and May 18, 2015.

UMaine is one of New England’s premier universities with the most accredited engineering disciplines serving the paper and supplier industry. The UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation is the oldest in the country and serves as a liaison between the industry and faculty to ensure the curriculum meets industry needs.

“Xerium is pleased to host a study tour for the students of UMaine,” said Bill Butterfield, EVP and CTO of Xerium. “We strongly support the future leaders of the pulp and paper industry and view this as a great opportunity for rising juniors and seniors to get an up close look at new technologies and advancements in paper making and realize how they can soon contribute to developing new technologies.”

“UMaine TAPPI/PIMA students first traveled abroad to Finland in 2013. As evidenced by the success of the previous trip, these students will walk away with a much greater understanding of the new developments in pulp and paper as well as a reassurance that the paper industry is global and as strong as ever. This experience, combined with UMaine’s top-notch engineering education as well as their co-ops and internships, make them leading candidates for placement upon graduation. We are so grateful to sponsors like Xerium who make this travel opportunity possible,” said Carrie Enos, UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation President.

ABOUT XERIUM

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services. Xerium utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Xerium has 26 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries, two new plants under construction in 2 countries and employs approximately 3,100 employees.

Source: Xerium Technologies, Inc.

Xerium Technologies, Inc.
Steve Cole, 336-260-4672
Director – Global Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.