Focus on New Products: 1999 to 2009
In March 2000, Bunting® added a complete line of high-tech all-metal detection and detection-separation equipment, which senses and can be programmed to separate all metal contaminants, such as copper, lead, aluminum, stainless steels, and other common metals. The acquisition of Millennium Metal Detectors (Allentown, PA) on March 10, 2000, was critical to our growth in this product area.
According to President Robert J. Bunting, “The quality, diversity, and popularity of Bunting’s product lines, together with the dedication of our employees, puts our company in a strong competitive position. With these strengths in products and people, Bunting® is poised to take advantage of new sales opportunities at home and abroad as we approach our 50th anniversary. I’m confident that our commitment to solving customers’ problems and meeting customers’ needs will enable us to continue our history of growth into the new millennium.”
The general downturn of the national economy in 2001 and 2002 was a challenge for the company, but we continued to prepare for our ongoing success in future operations. In November 2000, 7500 square feet was added to the south side of our shop in Newton which enabled the company to receive material, organize and store material and stock parts, and stage product for increasing shipping levels for years to come.
In early 2002, the Sales and Marketing Department initiated strategic changes to our sales efforts. The responsibility for sale and distribution of all Branch products has been specifically charged to the Sales and Operations management team at the Elk Grove Village Branch, and new sales resources have been added to that facility to focus our attention in that critical aspect of our business.
In 2003, Bunting® Magnetics Canada was established and acquired two distribution firms (The New Moulders Supply in April, and C.A. Systems & Plastics in October).
On September 9, 2005 Robert J. Bunting acquired 100% of Bunting® Magnetics Co. and became the sole shareholder of the company. On February 3, 2006 the 93 acres of land immediately south of the Newton facility were purchased by the company for possible future use.
In April 2008, Bunting® announced the acquisition of Magnet Applications Group Ltd. (MAGL). MAGL was founded in 1955 and currently has manufacturing operations in Berkhamsted, England and Dubois, Pennsylvania USA. MAGL manufactures and distributes a wide variety of technical bonded magnets, precision magnetic assemblies and complementary magnet products.
Robert J. Bunting said “This acquisition represents a strategic combination that significantly expands Bunting’s product and market scope. MAGL has outstanding market recognition as a premier manufacturer of bonded NdFeB magnets and technical assemblies. We are pleased that all of MAGL’s experienced management team will continue on with the business and we are confident that our newly combined enterprise will maintain the highest performance level serving our valued customers.”
On September 5, 2008, Bunting® launched a new Flexible Die Manufacturing Division. The Flexible Die Division is located in a new, custom built facility at 600 Spencer Avenue in Newton, Kansas and is solely focused on the production of 100% Chemically Hardened Flexible Dies.
“Our new Flexible Die facility has a layout that was exclusively designed for the manufacturing of flexible magnetic dies,” stated Mike Wilks, Bunting’s Flexible Die Division General Manager. “Within the manufacturing process, Bunting has ensured that it is using the finest equipment in the world and has capabilities only a few companies in the industry currently feature.”
This new facility and equipment allows Bunting to produce all types of flexible dies from simple designs to intricate die patterns. Also, Bunting can produce stamp dies that are machine sharpened and chemically hardened. All of the state-of-the-art equipment has been designed to manufacture dies in widths up to 30 inches.
“This expansion of our product line perfectly complements our existing magnetic cylinder products,” Robert J. Bunting, said. “This was a strategic decision to accentuate the strength and quality of our overall product offering to the printing industry. Our X-treme™ series Die-Cutting Cylinders are recognized as the best in the world and we are convinced that our X-treme Flexible Dies will reach the same level of performance. Simply put, to get the best cylinders and dies in the world, all anyone will need to do is call Bunting®.”
Now and in the future, Bunting® will continue successfully serving manufacturers of plastic components, metal products, printing labels, food products, automobiles and electronic equipment. The company manufactures magnetic separation equipment, and magnetic and non-magnetic conveyors for use in food, plastics, chemical, manufacturing, and recycling industries. The Newton facility also manufactures magnetic die cutting and printing cylinders for use in flexographic printing presses.
