C.R.Laurence Co., Los Angeles, has, according to a press release dated 25 June, acquired the supply division of Italian Vitrododi International Co., with effect as of 30 June 2010. Milan-based Vitrodo…
C.R.Laurence Co., Los Angeles, has, according to a press release dated 25 June, acquired the supply division of Italian Vitrododi International Co., with effect as of 30 June 2010. Milan-based Vitrododi, which has been operating in the glass field supplying machines and tools for three generations, serves several markets, predominantly across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The business was established in 1927 by the Dodi family for the traditional production of mirror paint, going on to the export of Italian made machinery and tools in the second post-war period. In the 1980s, Vitrododi started to develop and manufacture its own machinery, also becoming the exclusive European distributor for Toyo Glass Cutters from Japan: Supercutters, Pistol and Thomas Grip Hand Cutters, as well as Glass Cutting Wheels for automatic machines – such as the innovative Tap Wheel, plus all of Toyo“s associated glass working and breaking tools. The company then developed into two distinct business units, Vitrododi Production and Vitrododi Supply. CRL has acquired the supply division, along with the distribution rights to the entire Toyo product line. This acquisition will allow Vitrododi to focus on R&D and the manufacturing of its glass washers, which will become the core business of the company“s Production Division. We are proud to welcome the Vitrododi Supply business into the expanding CRL family; this move both underscores our commitment to developing the European, Middle East, and North African markets, and to ensure our customers have great choice and availability of proven and well respected products,” said Lloyd Talbert, president, CRL, in the release. “We are particularly proud of the support shown by Toyo, Japan, for this arrangement following their recognition that we are determined to not only serve them well, but also develop the markets and opportunities for their range. In addition, we will continue to supply the Vitrododi portfolio of small glass processing machines and the associated lines that we feel compliment or enhance our product offer. Managing director of CRL Europe, Simon Boocock said in the release: We will retain the Vitrododi name; it is highly respected, well recognized, and closely associated with the distribution of Toyo products. With this acquisition CRL moves further into Europe and becomes a major force in the supply of glass cutting tools, cutting wheels, and related technologies through the exclusive master distribution agreement. Just as Vitrododi did before, CRL Vitrododi will supply wholesalers and distributors throughout the region, in addition to any existing end users. To ensure high levels of service, the business will be transferred to our new 75,000-sq.-ft. (7,000 m2) sales and distribution facility near Manchester, UK and will be operating as normal within a few short days.