Cleveland, Tenn.-based Manufacturers Chemicals LLC—a vertically integrated manufacturer of specialty chemicals and dyes for the textile, paper, metals and coating industries; and a division of Spartanburg-based Synalloy Corp.—has expanded its Dalton, Ga., operation with the addition of a Nauta Conical Blender from Taiwan-based Nauta. According to Manufacturers Chemicals Director Mike Junkins, the machine replaces conventional ribbon blenders and rapidly blends materials with exceptional uniformity. It is a highly efficient system, as it can be cleaned and dried between batches in less than 30 minutes, Junkins reports.

"We installed our first Nauta Blender last year and we have been astonished at the dramatic improvements in quality coupled with exponential increases in productivity and labor cost reductions," said Chuck Steig, president, Manufacturers Chemicals. "With the return we have seen on our first Nauta the decision to add the second was easy even in a difficult economy. The second Nauta is scheduled for installation Sept. 1, 2011, at which time all other types of color blending will be eliminated in the operation."