Comerio Ercole to make Kobe-type mixers under licence

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Busto Arsizio, Italy-Machinery maker Comerio Ercole SpA has signed a joint manufacturing agreement (JMA) with Japanese owned Kobe Steel Ltd.

Under the JMA, the Italian firm will cooperate with Kobe on European supply of internal mixers for the tyre sector and other strategic market in Europe, said a statement from the Busto Arsizio-based firm.

Specifically, Kobe Steel will manufacture and supply 270-litre and 370-litre capacity tangential-type mixer chambers to the European market through Comerio Ercolem the firms said. The Italian firm will furnish the large mixer chambers to European standards, added the statement.

Under license, Comerio Ercole will also produce or supply related equipment, including complete hopper assemblies, the mixer drive system and other electronic equipment, said a statement from the firm.

Comerio Ercole will also supply a new series of intermeshing type mixers in 140, 150 and 210 litre sizes, in addition to its present 80 litre model. These mixers will be manufactured by Comerio Ercole under license from Kobe Steel.

Following Comerio Ercole's acquisition of the 'rubber and plastic' business of local company Meccaniche Moderne SpA in December 2004, Comerio Ercole said it now offers an integrated line of internal mixers including tangential and intermeshing type mixers from laboratory size to large production size.

Comerio Ercole said the ageement with Kobe will give European end users easier access to superior Kobe Steel mixing technology that conforms to the European equipment rules and standards.” Customers will also gain the advantage of local support for this equipment in the form of qualified assistance by Comerio Ercole,” the machinery manufacturer said.