By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SimpliCool Technologies International, a small Waynesville developer of a modular vending machine cooling unit, will introduce a new retrofit unit at the National Automation Merchandise Association show in Las Vegas March 27-29.

The SimpliCool GRS 2100, or "Cube," developed over several years by vending refrigeration expert Phil Baker, eliminates expensive labor, time and environmental concerns in replacing cooling systems on vending machines.

The 62-pound Cube is a self-contained, electronically controlled, and interchangeable refrigeration module, according to SimpliCool.

Twin Rivers expanding Painesville plant

Twin Rivers Technologies, the oleo chemical maker that bought Procter & Gamble Co.'s Ivorydale olestra plant last year, is expanding another plant it operates in Painesville, Ohio.

The Quincy, Mass., company said it is expanding the plant acquired last year from Lonza Inc. by at least 50 percent. The plant now employs 70, producing 150 million pounds of fatty acids annually.

The company said recently it is seeing interest from manufacturers for lubricants made from the sucrose polyester it is producing at the Ivorydale plant.

Gel Group acquires, renames SIMALABS

An affiliate of GEL Group Inc., a Charleston, S.C. environmental testing laboratory, has acquired SIMALABS International's lab at 6954 Cornell Road, Blue Ash.

Purchase terms weren't disclosed, but GEL said the purchase, the company's first outside of the Southeast, should have no impact on SIMALABS customers and suppliers. GEL said it would implement radiochemistry analytical capabilities at the lab, renamed GEL Laboratories of Ohio, enhancing its capabilities.

Sheffer Corp. retains improvement firm

The Sheffer Corp., Blue Ash manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, has retained Midwest Manufacturing Solutions, manufacturing improvement firm, to help it implement lean manufacturing techniques.

Software Packaging renews plant's lease

Software Packaging Associates, a Blue Ash company that handles packaging and distribution for software makers, has renewed the lease on its 4-year-old Dublin, Ireland, plant.

The Irish plant, which employs about 30 full-time employees, reduces taxes, shipping time and costs for companies shipping product into the European Union, the company said.

Started in 1984, SPA employs 55 at its plant on Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash.

Cincinnati Machine shares award

Cincinnati Machine, the Unova Inc. machine tool maker, was part of a team sharing a Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award presented by the National Center for Advanced Technologies.

Cincinnati Machine was part of the High Throughput Manufacturing Program that included Technology Answers Inc., a developer of automated machine controls, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Cherry Point Naval Depot, Boeing Co. and Sikorsky Aircraft.

FKI Logistex unveils high-speed sorter

FKI Logistex Crisplant, one of the FKI Logistex companies that includes West Chester conveyor maker Buschman, has introduced a new, high-speed tilt-tray sorter, the S-3000M.

The company says the sorter has a modular design that can be integrated into existing material handling systems, change elevations and curves enhancing layout flexibility.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com