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Progressive Components Announces Acquisition of Roehr Tool, The Leader in Collapsible Core Technology 

Wauconda, IL U.S.A. -- Progressive Components announced June 19^th at NPE 2006 that it has acquired the assets of Hudson, MA-based Roehr Tool Corporation, an international leader in the development of collapsible core technology. 

Roehr Tool was the first to develop collapsible core technology in 1965 and has become the market share leader worldwide.  The company has sold its products both through distributors and directly to customers and will continue to do so under Progressive’s ownership.  In addition, Progressive will also carry the products and promote them globally. 

Jim Cullison, a long-time member of the Roehr team, has been named Vice President and General Manager. 

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the way that Progressive develops and markets innovations, and I’m excited at what that will bring to the Roehr Products,” said Cullison. 

Previous Roehr Tool owner Paul Catalanotti has now joined the Progressive team to assist in training and development of Progressive personnel. 

“There’s a world of opportunity available out there even though this is a mature product,” said Catalanotti. “Now more than ever, it’s difficult for molders to ignore a cycle time savings of up to 30%.  Also, because an entire finished core with threads can be purchased by the mold builder, it decreases the mold build time, decreases the expertise required to engineer and build the tool, reduces the size of the mold, and decreases the cost.  In today’s environment this is all significant.” 

Progressive Components Vice President and Co-Owner Don Starkey has been named President of Roehr and will oversee the implementation of a seamless integration between Progressive’s distribution role and Roehr’s technical support and supply responsibility. 

“The old model of manufacturer and distributor is becoming less applicable and competitive in today’s business environment,” commented Starkey.  “My top priority is to ensure that, from the sales team and customer service at Progressive in Illinois through to technical support and order fulfillment at Roehr in Massachusetts, operations are as efficient as possible.  

“Sometimes there are instances where the distributor and the manufacturer are competing for the same sale, which is counter productive,” he continued.  “Progressive and Roehr will work together as one team.” 

With the planned increase of both standardized products and special, made to order items, manufacturing will be expanded within the current Hudson facility. 

About the products 

Collapsible cores produce the threads and undercuts associated with such products as bottle caps and irrigation fittings.  Expandable cavities produce the external undercut in mold features such as bosses, which are round parts that feature external engraving.  Both products yield a much smaller footprint than other methods within the mold and eliminate external cylinders and racks adjacent to the mold. 

Now with distribution from nine locations on three continents, Progressive Components is the leading supplier of components for the injection mold, blow mold and die cast tooling industries worldwide. 

For additional information on Roehr Tool please visit their website at www.roehrtool.com.