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Peter Li Named President of Hunter

Peter Li President Hunter Foundry Equipment Corporation

Recently Peter J. Li became the third President in the history of Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation, a world leader in matchplate molding and sand casting technology.  The announcement was made by Chairman of Board Bill Hunter at the company headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, near Chicago.   

Peter joined Hunter in May, 1996 as a sales engineer. He was promoted to Regional Sales Manager Asia Pacific in 1998. In the year 2000, he became General Manager of Hunter Shanghai; in 2016 he was promoted to Managing Director, International.  This history totals 25 years at Hunter, mainly in executive level positions.

Peter graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University with a B.S. in Foundry Engineering. He then obtained an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University; spent three years in the PhD Metallurgical Program at the University of Alabama, where, by coincidence, the very first Hunter molding machine was donated for that institution’s foundry education programs.

Before joining Hunter, Peter worked for Presto Castings as a metallurgist in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Peter comments, “When I first encountered a Hunter machine, I quickly realized it had a unique and very practical labor-saving aspect and this fact was a big reason for its success in the global foundry market.”  Li knew the reputation of the company’s founder, Al Hunter, as well as Bill Hunter, the two men who preceded him as President of the company. 

Li further observes, “Our challenge for the future is to keep an open mind and remove restrictions on our thinking about the foundry business.  The most successful companies in our industry have automated and that bodes well for Hunter matchplate molding machinery, automated mold handling equipment and the advanced software we bring to our customers worldwide.”  He also commented that his combination of sales, technical experience and corporate management at Hunter, both in America and at the Shanghai plant the company operates, have given him a perspective on the company and the market that will serve him well in his new role as President of Hunter.  “I do consider myself a people person and I believe that remains an important element in our relationship with the foundry business, Li added.” 

Hunter is a global force in the foundry business, with an installed base in nearly every industrialized country in the world.  In addition to the manufacturing locations in Chicago and Shanghai, Hunter has a worldwide network of sales agents.

The company was founded in 1964 by Al Hunter, who pioneered the automated matchplate molding machine concept and held dozens of patents in the industry.  His son Bill, the current Chairman of Board, likewise developed numerous innovations in sand molding machine and mold handling equipment for the global foundry market. 

In naming Peter Li the new President of Hunter, Bill commented, “Peter is exceptionally qualified for this position and we know he will lead Hunter into a bright and prosperous future.  We have a great team of people at Hunter and, under Peter’s leadership, I am certain the company will move forward in a positive direction.”    

For further information on this announcement, interested parties may contact:

HUNTER FOUNDRY MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive
Schaumburg, Illinois 60196-1094
USA
Phone:  +1 847 397 5110
Email:  info@hunterfoundry.com
Web: www.hunterfoundry.com
Attention:  Bill Hunter  

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Hunter Promotes Key International Sales Directors

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation, world leader in matchplate molding and mold handling, has announced the promotion of two key international sales directors. Former Director of Hunter-Europe Paolo Nazari, PhD has been named Managing Director – International, and former Director of Hunter do Brasil Eng Gustavo Debona has been named DirectorSouth America.

Paolo Nazari, PhD

Paolo Nazari, PhD

According to company President & CEO William G. Hunter, “Paolo and Gustavo have been instrumental in enhancing and expanding our global presence. These promotions recognize their contributions to our company, as well as helping to affirm its future direction.”

The opportunity to deepen customer support and consolidate its European presence prompted Hunter to open a sales and engineering facility in Legnano (Milan) Italy, when Dr. Nazari began with the company in April 2011. As Managing DirectorInternational he is responsible for directing and managing sales, and operations (including Hunter’s sales agent network) in Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, plus Africa and the Middle East, as well as South America.

Eng Gustavo Debona

Eng Gustavo Debona

Eng Gustavo Debona joined Hunter in 2001, as service manager for its South American customers when the company opened its Santa Catarina, Brazil facility. In 2010 he was named Director of Operations for Hunter do Brasil, and as DirectorSouth America is responsible for coordinating service, sales and management of operations throughout the continent.

For more information on the products in this story, please contact:

HUNTER AUTOMATED MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive Schaumburg, IL 60196
Phone: (847) 397-5110
Fax: (847) 397-8254
Email: info@hunterfoundry.com
Web: www.hunterfoundry.com
Connect with Hunter Foundry online:  yt gplus thomasnet

ABOUT HUNTER

Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation was established in 1964 as Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation with the invention of the world’s first gravity-filled automated matchplate molding machine. This began the company’s history of innovation and launched the foundry industry into a new industrial revolution. Pioneered by William “Al” Hunter in his home garage, the original HMP-10 machine streamlined the laborious metal casting process by offering foundries unimagined new capabilities by producing as many molds in one hour as most had previously been produced in an entire day. As industry demands grew, Hunter responded with advanced solutions such as automated mold handling equipment and coresetters.

Now in its 50th year, Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation’s inventions have earned nearly 150 U.S. and international patents. Hunter has produced more than 1,800 molding machines and mold handling systems for customers around the world. The company’s global reach extends from offices in the U.S., Brazil, China, India and Italy through North American, South American and Asia-Pacific manufacturing sites. Hunter’s sales and technical support is underscored by its $12 million parts inventory, established to maintain each machine’s original production capability across the worldwide foundry market.

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Hunter Molding And Mold Handling Machinery Part Of Watts Water’s New WEFCO 2 Lead-free Foundry

Remarkable U.S.-only engineered and equipped foundry praised by New Hampshire Governor and Franklin, NH Mayor for technological initiative and for creating local jobs

One of two Hunter XL2024 Molding Machines at Watts Water’s WEFCO 2 lead-free foundry

One of two Hunter XL2024 Molding Machines at Watts Water’s WEFCO 2 lead-free foundry

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Watts Water Technologies has begun operation of a new lead-free foundry in Franklin, NH that reflects the company’s commitment to proactively meet the requirements of the “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act,” which goes into effect in January 2014 and establishes new limits on the lead content in every pipe, fixture, and fitting used to convey water for human consumption. Watts’ new WEFCO 2 foundry produces lead-free products exclusively, including lead-free versions of products the company produces at its WEFCO 1 facility (which is also located in Franklin, NH), as well as other products. Opening ceremonies were highlighted by comments from New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan and Franklin, NH Mayor Kenneth Merrifield.

Governor Hassan commended Watts for the types of products it produces at the new WEFCO 2 foundry, as “contributing to public health and safety, and for the company’s educational efforts around the Lead Free initiative.” She complimented the Franklin workforce, noting that, “The work effort here is extraordinary,” adding that the company is “emblematic of the ingenuity found across the Granite State.” Mayor Merrifield noted how rare it is to have a manufacturing facility that lasts 50 years, and how quickly the new foundry came into being.  He referred to meeting this development challenge as a “remarkable accomplishment” and added “Congratulations, to an absolutely fabulous company.”

Discharge on Hunter XL2024 Molding Machine

The new WEFCO 2 foundry expands and diversifies the production capacity of Watts’ WEFCO 1 foundry, which opened in April 1977, has undergone 16 updates, and produces products for many Watts brands. Based on its decades-long history of working with the WEFCO 1 foundry Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation has kept pace with these expansions and updates.

“This is a great day for our company and its employees, our industry, and the Franklin community,” said Watts Water Technologies CEO and President David Coghlan at the June 21st ribbon-cutting ceremony of WEFCO 2 30,000-square foot state-of-the-art foundry. Coghlan stated the Watts WEFCO 2 foundry “will enable us to be the ‘safe choice’ for Lead Free products, since we can eliminate the possibility of cross contamination of materials. It will also enable us to provide efficient and timely availability of products.”

Former President and CEO, and Watts Water Director Emeritus, Tim Horne observed, “This significantly advanced foundry is the latest example of our commitment to the State of New Hampshire, and the city of Franklin.” Part of Watts’ strategy in this industry-leading facility are two XL2024 molding machines that feed onto a common HV-20 24 + 24 x 3 turntable mold handling systems, all produced by Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation in Schaumburg, IL.

HUNTER’S ROLE

Since its inception in 1977, the WEFCO 1 foundry used a full range of Hunter mold making and mold handling machinery. Originally, Hunter’s HMP-10 molding machines were installed on a Hunter HMH-210 mold handler alongside two Hunter HMP-20 machines that were installed on a Hunter HMH-220 mold handler. Hunter later addressed challenges in the older section of the foundry, including the need to increase pouring speeds, by replacing its older machines with Hunter’s C-series products. In 1999 these Hunter HMP-10C machines were replaced with Hunter’s HMP-10H mold making machines.

For the new WEFCO 2 foundry, Hunter integrated an Inductotherm Auto-Pour unit fed by two Hunter XL2024 molding machines into common Hunter HV-20 24 + 24 x 3 turntable mold handling systems through use of a proprietary mold-tracking program. Hunter’s direct interface controller communicates computer-based pattern data with the correct pouring profile to an Inductotherm Auto-Pour furnace.

Looking over Accumulating Conveyor at Hunter HV-20 Mold Handler mold elevator

Looking over Accumulating Conveyor at Hunter HV-20 Mold Handler mold elevator

In addition to this 35-year working history, according to New Hampshire Operations Engineering Manager Mike Geldermann there were several reasons why Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation was the molding machine and mold handling system provider of choice for the new foundry. “Hunter was the only single-source mold handling and mold making interface,” he states. “Their equipment was directly interchangeable with our current pattern plate setup and tooling, and provides us with improved cope-and-drag alignment to eliminate mold shift,” Geldermann says. Additionally, notes Geldermann, “Hunter’s systems were highly cost competitive when compared with other options,” he says, adding that Hunter’s familiarity with maintenance and upkeep of WEFCO 1 foundry machines was a key factor in their selection for the new WEFCO 2 production line.

For a video on this installation, please visit http://youtu.be/1d8475iM9Fo

For more information on the products in this story, please contact:

HUNTER AUTOMATED MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive Schaumburg, IL 60196
Phone: (847) 397-5110
Fax: (847) 397-8254
Email: info@hunterfoundry.com
Web: www.hunterfoundry.com
Connect with Hunter Foundry online:  yt gplus thomasnet

ABOUT WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a world leader in the manufacture of innovative products to control the efficiency, safety, and quality of water within residential, commercial, and institutional applications. Its expertise in a wide variety of water technologies enables it to be a comprehensive supplier to the water industry. For more information, visit www.wattswater.com.

ABOUT HUNTER

Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation was established in 1964 as Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation with the invention of the world’s first gravity-filled automated matchplate molding machine. This began the company’s history of innovation and launched the foundry industry into a new industrial revolution. Pioneered by William “Al” Hunter in his home garage, the original HMP-10 machine streamlined the laborious metal casting process by offering foundries unimagined new capabilities by producing as many molds in one hour as most had previously been produced in an entire day. As industry demands grew, Hunter responded with advanced solutions such as automated mold handling equipment and coresetters.

Now in its 50th year, Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation’s inventions have earned nearly 150 U.S. and international patents. Hunter has produced more than 1,800 molding machines and mold handling systems for customers around the world. The company’s global reach extends from offices in the U.S., Brazil, China, India and Italy through North American, South American and Asia-Pacific manufacturing sites. Hunter’s sales and technical support is underscored by its $12 million parts inventory, established to maintain each machine’s original production capability across the worldwide foundry market.

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Hunter Announces Sale Made to Swedish Foundry

Skeppshult Gjuteri AB buys XL 2430 automatic matchplate molding machine from Hunter for cast iron cookware production  

HunterXLMachine_rev2_300dpi copySCHAUMBURG, IL — Hunter, the first name in automated matchplate molding machines, sand and mold handling equipment, announced today the sale of an XL 2430 molding machine to Skeppshult Gjuteri AB, a cast iron foundry in Skeppshult, Sweden, world-famous for its cast iron, no-stick cookware.  By adding organic rapeseed oil to the raw materials used here, this cast iron foundry pioneered non-stick cookware from its beginnings in 1906, under the direction of founder Carl Andersson.  Today, the company’s cookware is found in high-end restaurants and homes worldwide.

The foundry, located on the Nissan River in southern Sweden, is the last remaining cast iron cookware production facility in Scandinavia. Skeppshult cookware and other household items carry a 25-year guarantee, owing to the quality of materials, production and craftsmanship provided by this manufacturer.Unknown-1

The Hunter XL 2430 is used at Skeppshult Gjuteri AB for the production of sand molds, the technology employed at this cast iron foundry.

This sale was made through the European office of Hunter in Milan, Italy and overseen by the director of European Operations for the company, Dr. Paolo Nazari. The local Hunter representative for this success was HYBE Maskin AB of Halmstad, Sweden.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation was founded in 1964 as Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation with the invention of the first gravity-filled automated matchplate molding machine. This development established the company’s history of innovation and launched the foundry industry into a new industrial revolution. Pioneered by William “Al” Hunter in his garage, the original HMP-10 machine streamlined the laborious metal casting process by offering foundries unimagined new production capabilities, producing as many molds in one hour as most had been able to produce in an entire day. As industry demands grew, Hunter responded with advanced solutions such as automated mold handling equipment and coresetters.

Now in its 50th year, Hunter Foundry Machinery Corporation’s inventions have earned nearly 150 patents around the world. With more than 1,800 molding machines and mold handling systems installed around the world, the Hunter sales and service reach extends from its manufacturing sites in North America, South America and China through its offices in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, India and Shanghai to every corner of the globe. Sales and technical support, as well as the company’s $12 million parts inventory, serve to maintain each machine’s original production capability, as well as Hunter’s preeminence in the world market.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

HUNTER AUTOMATED MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive Schaumburg, IL 60196
Phone: (847) 397-5110
Fax: (847) 397-8254
Email: info@hunterfoundry.com
Attention:  Bill Hunter, CEO
Web: www.hunterfoundry.com
Connect with Hunter Foundry online:  yt gplus thomasnet

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Jim Fitzgerald Named COO at Hunter Automated

An announcement from Bill Hunter, CEO of Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation, the world leader in automated matchplate molding machines, mold and sand handling equipment for the foundry market, Jim Fitzgerald will assume the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, effective Friday – February 1, 2013.

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Jim Fitzgerald will assume the position of Chief Operating Officer

Jim began his career as a machine assembler for Hunter in 1977, shortly after his graduation from Central College in Pella, Iowa. For the past 35 years, he has been dedicated to shop operations and manufacturing management at Hunter. He was promoted to his current position as Vice President at the company, following Art Hisel’s retirement in 1992.

Jim’s responsibilities as COO will include all Schaumburg, IL-based activities, with the exception of Sales and Marketing. His goals will include maintaining and building upon the company’s reputation for producing the world’s highest-quality foundry machinery and for providing superior after-sale support.

“Jim brings the education, proven ability and determination to help Hunter achieve these goals. His leadership and commitment to our company is unquestionable and exemplary,” said Bill Hunter in making this announcement.

For more information on this news, please contact:

HUNTER AUTOMATED MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive
Schaumburg, Illinois 60196-1094
USA
Phone:  847-397-5136
Email:  sales@hunterauto.com

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JetSlinger from Hunter

JetSlingerJetSlingerTM
– Impact-assisted flask filling, adjustable for cope and drag
– Venturi action air amplification for sand mixture dispersion
– Perpendicular flask filling, superior to side blow fill, no shadow effect
– Improves mold production up to 300% on selected jobs
– Better pattern definition, uniformity of mold hardness and surface finish
Available as standard equipment on new Hunter automated matchplate molding machines.
Retrofit your existing XL machines, too!
The Hunter JetSlingerTM device, an air amplification apparatus, based on the Venturi principle, accelerates the sand into the cope and drag flasks on the Hunter XL machines.  Currently in Beta testing, this device creates a powerful vacuum and jet exhaust drawing the sand mixture through an array of nozzle assemblies built into a manifold mounted directly below the Fillaerator blades and then slinging the sand into the flask.
With a perpendicular fill, this impact-assisted device produces molds more quickly and with substantially improved surface quality, owing to the powered pre-compaction of the sand.  This action results in greater uniformity of mold density and wall hardness, without sacrificing the accessibility and flexibility of a gravity fill machine.
The JetSlingerTM achieves a flask filling operation that compensates for mold quality limitations often caused by the flowability of the sand and pattern configuration during the high-pressure squeeze cycle.
In contrast to the conventional blow fill machines, there is no shroud, seals or vented flask assemblies required, along with the attendant maintenance. Further, the JetSlingerTM allows far greater flexibility and access needed to produce various castings with the use of chaplets, ram-up cores and exothermic risers.
The JetSlingerTM was invented by company president Bill Hunter and the U.S. Patent Number US7819168B2 has been issued.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

HUNTER AUTOMATED MACHINERY CORPORATION
2222 Hammond Drive Schaumburg, IL 60196
Phone: (847) 397-5110
Fax: (847) 397-8254
Email: info@hunterfoundry.com
Attention:  Bill Hunter, CEO
Web: www.hunterfoundry.com
Connect with Hunter Foundry online:  yt gplus thomasnet

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