PAST ROTOTOURS
Visiting Iceland, Finland, Norway and Poland, Rototour Nordic proved to be highly anticipated, selling out within one week! The success of Rototour 2023 Nordic was truly global, with 37 enthusiastic attendees hailing from diverse corners of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the USA, Canada, Kazakhstan, China, and Brazil.
ICELAND
Iceland consistently finds its way onto countless bucket lists, drawing people in with the allure of the mesmerising northern lights and its captivating uniqueness. Our visit to Saeplast, however, added an entirely new dimension to our tour experience.
Our journey commenced in Akureyri, perched at the pinnacle of Iceland, boasting its beauty alongside the serene fjord. Following a light breakfast, we all eagerly boarded the coach, embarking on our adventure together, setting our course for Saeplast to explore our very first factory. Here we would see a 4.2m machine converted to electric, something unheard of in the parts of the world where we come from. But upon finding out how cheap their electricity was, we were all extremely jealous.
Dadi Valdimarsson and Arnar Snorrason were the perfect hosts, answering questions as we toured the facility. As Arnar commented, “It was a great pleasure for us hosting, it is in line with our core values where we want to share, care, and do things together. We noticed high interest about our processes, products and company and we are simply pleased that people are still “buzzed” after the visit. As you noticed, we are not located in the centre of the world, even though the locals believe it is, so thank you for making the effort to visit Dalvik, appreciated.”
Following this, we made a delightful stop at Gisli, Eirikur, Helgi Kaffihús, renowned for serving the finest fish soup and beer bread in all of Iceland. Our journey continued southward, unveiling Iceland's breathtaking landscapes as we ventured through Trollaskagi and the North West. Along the way, we paused to explore Glaumbær in Skagafjörður, a site steeped in history, housing traditional turf houses and a captivating museum.
As we pushed onward to Borgarnes, ominous dark clouds signalled the approach of an impending storm. The coach arrived at our hotel just in time, and the group bore witness to a comical struggle against the fierce wind, with our tour guide, me, and Steve Kyval each taking turns braving the elements. Trying to open the hotel door and usher everyone inside, luggage in tow, amidst the raging wind and rain was an adventure in itself. But such are the joys of being on tour—every challenge turns into a memorable tale. An hour later, undeterred by the weather, we set out once more to savour a traditional dinner right on the water's edge.
Although adverse weather conditions cancelled our initial plans for a glacier tour, we felt no sense of loss. Instead, we bundled up, donned our hard hats and lights, and embarked on an underground adventure into one of Iceland's longest lava tunnels. This unique experience offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a volcanic eruption, as we walked in the footsteps of the lava that flowed during the Leitahraun eruption some 5200 years ago, situated east of the Bláfjöll mountains.
Following this leg of our journey, we paused at a few picturesque locations before reaching Reykjavik, where we would spend our final night in Iceland. The evening was marked by a delightful dinner at one of the region's premier restaurants.
Sunday morning saw us with a 4.30am departure to make our flight to Helsinki, where we were met by the Brazilians and then continued for a long drive to our accommodation, in preparation for the busy tour days ahead.
FINLAND
Our day kicked off early again as we all gathered on the bus, bound for Inora to reunite with Minna and Matti Aronen, familiar faces from past Rototours. Our arrival was met with a warm welcome, accompanied by a breakfast and an insightful introduction to their factory.
We also said goodbye to the partners as they headed off for breakfast with a local school principal and a visit with the children at the school. Thanks to Brad & Deb Smyth for the little koalas that were gifted to them.
Inora is a family business with nearly six decades of history, located in Iisalmi. Here, we not only had the liberty to explore their rotomoulding facility but were also treated to an enlightening tour of their other operational processes.
Our journey then took us towards our next destination, with a pit stop for a buffet lunch at a roadside station. While there, we couldn't resist indulging in some delectable local chocolate, a renowned specialty of Finland. By the time we reboarded the coach, we must have each carried about five blocks, claiming it was for family back home.
Our next journey led us to Finncont Oy, a sprawling facility nestled in the picturesque Finnish landscape. Here, we were impressed by the company's commitment to sustainability, observing the significant strides they are making in this regard.
From there, the group journeyed on to Tampere, where we checked into an ultramodern hotel. The hotel's elevators proved to be quite the drama, but that didn't deter us from enjoying an incredible dinner with a breathtaking rooftop view at Periscope, overlooking the city.
Tuesday brought a rare opportunity for a leisurely breakfast before we packed our bags and reboarded the coach for our visit to Molok, a factory focussed mainly on one product type. It was exciting to see the group’s reaction to their machine setup, one of only 5 in the world and something none of us had ever seen before. Add to that a new machine for emptying powder bags and it was hard to pull everyone away. I would have loved to share a photo capturing the sight of a line of rotomoulders, utterly engrossed in watching the machine in action, their jaws figuratively hitting the floor.
Following our visit to Molok, we journeyed to Favorit Tuote Oy. Our adventure commenced with a delightful lunch at their head office, a charming and verdant space, oozing with character. The meal was nothing short of delicious and we then walked over to the factory, where once again, the group found themselves mesmerised by the machines. Witnessing such an impressive level of automation in one place, and observing the Robomould in action, was a first for many of us.
During this time, our partners embarked on their own unique adventure, indulging in a walking tour and enjoying lunch at the Kauttua Ironworks and Manor Hotel.
The group came together again for the three-hour drive back to Helsinki, where we settled into the charming Hotel Mestari. After checking in, the coach dropped us off at Senate Square. It was here that our friends from Kazakhstan surprised us all with thoughtful gifts, and we took the opportunity to capture a group photo. Following this heartwarming moment, we gathered for dinner, sipping blueberry vodka shots and savouring our first taste of traditional Finnish cuisine, including reindeer. An unforgettable culinary adventure was had by all!
Our final day in Finland began with a tour of Motorol Oy Motoplast, led by the delightful Reijo Strom, who had been our dinner companion the previous night. The entire factory graciously opened its doors to our group, permitting us to take photos, capture videos, and inquire about all aspects of their operations. Following this enlightening tour, two talented chefs treated us to a delectable showcase of local delicacies, providing a memorable tasting experience for all.
With our senses still tingling from the culinary delight, we bid farewell to Finland and made our way to the airport, embarking on the next leg of our journey to yet another captivating destination.
NORWAY
Our Norwegian adventure began with a stop in the picturesque town of Alesund, where we checked into our accommodation before venturing out to a waterfront restaurant, to enjoy some of the local seafood specialties. After dinner, everyone returned to the hotel at their leisure, indulging in the entertainment and scenic vistas that surrounded us.
The following morning, we gathered our belongings and jostled for the best seats on the coach, eager to soak in the breathtaking landscapes as we journeyed to Andalsnes. Our partners dropped us off at Ovun for an insightful factory tour, while they set off for a morning tea at Trollveggen.
Ovun were excellent hosts, offering coffee and biscuits before guiding us into the presentation room. Attendees enjoyed the factory tour, witnessing a range of intriguing and innovative products in the process. The highlight came as we stepped outside for a group photo, set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops any rotational moulding business could hope for.
Our partners rejoined us, and we made our way to the mountain peak using the Romsdal gondola. At the summit, we enjoyed lunch with a 360-degree view, taking in the majestic peaks and the stunning surrounds. We then descended the mountain and headed to the airport for our brief flight to Bergen.
After a busy and tiring week, it was a welcome change to arrive at our hotel in Bergen, being our first multi-night stay of the tour. Our late arrival in Bergen meant a quiet dinner in the hotel and a restful night's sleep.
It was now Friday and our last official Rototour factory was Plastinvent. Their factory is quite small when it comes to rotomoulding but they are doing big things. The entire staff was on hand to answer our questions during the tour, and thoughtful gifts were presented to all attendees upon departure.
We then returned to the city for those interested in a leisurely walking tour, before we all gathered for lunch, trying out the Bergen Plank. Tickets were provided for those who wished to take the Mount Floien Funicular, offering spectacular panoramic views. The remainder of the afternoon was left to personal choices - shopping, conducting business, or simply resting.
Friday night marked our final formal group dinner at Bryggen Tracteursted, a historic building dating back to 1708. We were treated to captivating tales by a local storyteller before indulging in a delicious meal and the opportunity to sample aquavit, a locally distilled spirit.
Saturday greeted us with a sense of anticipation, as we readied ourselves for a day of sightseeing during our lengthy journey back to Oslo. It marked the final leg of our coach travels and was well worth the ride. The road from Bergen to Gudvangen unfurled before us, offering spectacular vistas of lush valleys, towering peaks, and cascading waterfalls. Our coach expertly navigated winding roads, unveiling postcard-perfect landscapes around every bend. Our knowledgeable guide enriched the experience with captivating tales of Norwegian history, culture, and the natural wonders that surrounded us.
Upon reaching Gudvangen, our excitement soared as we boarded the Nærøyfjord cruise. This specially designed vessel allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking splendour of the fjord. As we glided through the narrow waters, hemmed in by towering cliffs that seemed to touch the sky, we were humbled by the raw and untamed nature enveloping us. Our voyage concluded in the charming village of Flåm, where the Ægir Viking Restaurant beckoned us with a Viking plank - a gastronomic adventure featuring five tasting courses thoughtfully paired with five local beers.
The itinerary indicated a photo stop at Stegastein, but none of us anticipated the adventurous journey up the mountain on a single-lane road, all aboard a massive coach. Thanks to our skilled coach driver, we safely reached the Stegastein viewpoint—an architectural marvel jutting out from the mountain, treating us to breathtaking vistas of the Aurlandsfjord below.
As we prepared to depart, our resident tour thrill-seeker, Tim Leed, decided to run down the mountain and rendezvous with us at the bottom. To our amazement, he accomplished the feat, arriving simultaneously with our coach. Our onward journey to Oslo included a stop at the Borgund Stavechurch, a remarkably preserved wooden church dating back to the 12th century. Although it was a late arrival at our airport hotel, it marked the moment where we bid farewell to some of the tour participants before proceeding to the ARMO Conference in Poznan.
POLAND
After checking in to our hotel in Poznan, we all gathered for the ARMO Conference Welcome Reception, and the day culminated in a dinner where the entire group was graciously hosted by Matrix Polymers. A big thank you to Martin Coles and their team!
Following the conference, the group came together for one final activity - a "Taste of Poland" food tour. Our guide, dressed in traditional attire, made the experience exceptional and entertaining. He introduced us to Poznan's famous goats at Town Hall, showcased the exterior of Przemysl Castle, and guided us to the stunning baroque parish church. At three different locations, we had the pleasure of sampling traditional Poznan dishes, enjoying both food and drinks.
The following day was marked by more goodbyes, and then the rest of us boarded the bus for our very last factory tour at Kingspan Water & Energy So. Z.o.o. They greeted us with a generous spread and conducted an exceptionally professional tour, highlighting their developments in innovation and environmental sustainability.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the factories that hosted our group. We genuinely cherished our time with you and greatly appreciate your effort and openness in being a part of Rototour. We look forward to the possibility of extending a warm welcome to you in our part of the world.
To my fellow travellers, it was an absolute pleasure sharing this journey with you! This tour presented its unique set of challenges but also gifted us with unforgettable moments and exceptional culinary experiences. With four different countries, six flights, and countless shared laughs, it was indeed one of the most rewarding tours we've undertaken.
ARMA 2019 delegates had the unique opportunity to visit 11 factories and enjoy some incredible travel experiences. The tour concluded with the ARMO 2019 Conference in Sun City, South Africa.
Starting in Zimbabwe, the group visited Jojo tanks to hear about their proprietary technology, unrivalled expertise and technical know-how. This was followed by a game safari drive at Hwange, home to the world’s largest population of the African elephant. More sightseeing was on the program the next day with a visit to Victoria Falls. Comfortable walking shoes and a camera were a must!
Arriving in Durban, the group experienced Africa at its laid-back best with cocktails at the Beach Bar, exquisite views of the Indian Ocean, tropical weather, exotic flavours and soulful vibes.
The following day offered two factory visits, East Coast Moulders and Kaymac Rotomoulders. East Coast Moulders was a small factory located on the most amazing hilltop overlooking the surrounds. The staff didn’t speak English but were welcoming and delightful. They make some very iconic and recognisable products. Kaymac Rotomoulders were a leader in the automotive market working on a very large scale. However, when the bottom fell out of it they downsized and changed their direction. They now run machines in only a small section of the factory. They also implemented injection moulding.
That afternoon, we slowed down the pace and headed to Howick Falls, the region's second-largest waterfall. Our guide educated us on the history of this colonial town. We then visited the Mandela capture site where Nelson Mandela was captured on the 5th August 1962.
The next day, before flying to Johannesburg, we enjoyed a Midlands Meader Tour starting at the Piggly Wiggly, which had an array of craft shops and farm stalls.
The next three days were packed full of inspiring factory tours:
At the Enviro Loo factory toilet systems are a whole process from start to finish as you walk through the different sections of the factory. It was unusual to learn that they service all of the loos in the field as part of their service as well. The Enviro Loo is a water less, on-site, dry sanitation toilet system that functions without water or chemicals. It is designed for the benefit of all communities and can be installed almost anywhere.
At Duys Rotomoulders, one of the main products is tanks ranging from 250 litres to 10 000 litres in both vertical and horizontal configurations.
ACD Rotoflo is a privately owned company specialising in the 'Colour Compounding' and 'Pulverising' of Polyethylene Powders. They are one of the major suppliers in the region, and we saw a lot of their powder as we walked through their factories.
Calcamite Tanks patented the World’s first one Piece Poly Manhole which had the benching, riser and lid former all made in one single unit.
At Pioneer Plastics we saw the first Persico Smart Machine to be installed in South Africa and Persico was on sight as well.
Completely different from the JoJo Tanks factory in Zimbabwe this huge, brand new factory boasts machine after machine making tanks and as you can imagine, with JoJo being the largest tank supplier in Africa.
While not a large facility, CHM Plastics develop products on site which is quite unique for a SA moulder. They start with a client and an idea and literally design it onsite and direct it to the moulds they make. It is completely streamlined. They also make the Hippo-Roller which has gained worldwide acclaim.
At Sinvac Plastics it wasn’t just rotational moulding we found, they also provide piping for the mining industry as well as plastic fabrication. They are heavily involved in the community and charity work and spend time with their “Sinvac family” and it really shows.
After more sightseeing and fine dining, the group was ready for the ARMO 2019 Conference.
The ARMO 2019 Conference in Sun City lived up to its reputation as the major international event on the rotational moulding calendar for the year. For Rotational Moulders and Suppliers alike, this was a great opportunity to network, socialise and learn in the warmth of South Africa.
The 2018 tour ended up being an incredible mixture of unique experiences, some of which started with another unique partnership of the affiliates within ARMO working together to benefit all our members. When Italy’s IT-RO asked me to come and present at their conference, I never expected the final outcome could be a visit of Rototour to Cracking Art’s incredible warehouse eighteen months later. Each of the animals in the group’s installation have specific meanings, usually to remind us of our effect on the natural environment and they have deliberately chosen polyethylene because it comes from the past and creates the future. Cracking Art usually don’t open their studio and warehouse, however because of the great connection, fostered by IT-RO, Rotoconnect was able to secure a visit and I couldn’t think of a better way to begin a tour, and we were even able to have a sneak preview of their latest installation being created while we were there. Cracking Art’s pieces are moulded by Roplast, the first factory on our schedule also uses extrusion moulding at their site outside of Milan. Roplast manufactures tanks and parts of industrial machines, floor coverings, vases, furnishing accessories, tanks for agricultural use, hoppers, double-walled objects, boats, pallets and, in general, items of large dimensions and complex shapes. They have several machines and also robots on site. After a fantastic visit to Roplast, the group returned to Milan for an amazing dinner under the shelter of the city’s beautiful Duomo before heading to Bergamo, an ancient walled city just outside of Milan, where the group enjoyed a slice of Italian life, including a garden exhibition filled with rotomoulded products!
Amsterdam was the official start of the full Rototour and here we met the rest of our group for a very quick tour of the city and its famous canals. Pentas Moulding is a highly technical and innovative company that has grown from producing surfboards to producing over 700 different products, most of which are in the automotive sector. The company is one of the most modern and advanced companies in Europe using rotational moulding and the Rototour delegates were treated to a privileged look at how this company balances an almost incredible range of machinery, moulds, spiders and even a “world’s only” product marking system. Having attended a previous Rototour, the company’s owners took full advantage of having a group of experienced moulders visiting and wowed the group with their expertise and innovative solutions to common moulding problems. Travelling between Rotomoulding plants is often a challenge on a tour because they tend to be located in rural areas, so following the Pentas visit the group had a ten-hour bus trip to Heidelberg for a break and then on to Karlsruhe to start the German leg of the tour.
The group’s visit to Maus showed them the pinnacle of what’s possible in every aspect of mould design, using any technology necessary and available to achieve outcomes that highlight that while in house mould making, maintenance and use are all possible and sometimes cost-effective, there are options available to the global industry that can really be claimed to be “on another planet” and our tour delegates were astonished at seeing what the company can do and is doing.
Rototour doesn’t always include partners. However, this year we did have a small and important group that took advantage of the day to see some of the amazing tourist sights close to the companies the rest of the group were visiting, including Maulbronn Monastery and Ludwigsburg Palace.
For the rest of Rototour, the next factory visit was to Speidel, a medium-sized enterprise but a fairly large moulder with over 140 employees. They invest in the most modern technology and manufacturing plants as well as in the best possible training for employees. Besides rainwater containers Speidel produces tanks for wine, mashing tanks, variable capacity tanks, fermentation tanks for beer (very popular with some of the tour participants for home brewing), tanks for transportation and technical pressure tanks. The group then had a quick flight from Stuttgart to Leipzig in Eastern Germany for the next leg of the tour. Tourism opportunities on Rototour have to be fitted into a technically challenging schedule that centres around where we can stay, when factories can see us and travel times but we do like delegates to at least experience a little of what the various places we visit have to offer. As in Leipzig, this is often a walking tour of the city and surrounds with our own private tour guide.
About 90 minutes outside of Leipzig we found Peuker GmbH & Co. KG, who produce both injection and rotationally moulded products and make a huge range of plant pots. They supply customers in Germany, all across Europe as well as the United States and they house more than 30 injection machines and several rotational machines. The moulding machines are completely equipped with extraction robots, the biggest of them works with a locking pressure of 2,200 tons. Peuker, also known as PPlastic allowed the Rototour delegates to be the first in the world to see a completely new kind of machine for the industry, invented in response to the challenge of constant mould changes necessary to support their business and which would be launched officially at the ARMO2018 conference in Hamburg. This isn’t the first time Rototour has been offered the opportunity to see developing technology ahead of the crowd, however the chance to spend time with the inventor and see the technology working in a production setting was a real honour for the group. Germany is certainly full of fairy tale castles, so following the fantastic visit with Peuker our group was able to have its own castle for the evening and enjoy a medieval banquet at Berg Schonfels.
HMT was the next stop for the Rototour group and what an incredible stop it was! The company bought their first Rotomoulding machine in March 1999, and today they process about 1200 tons of raw material in highly efficient machines in an industrial park they’ve almost completely taken over through their expansion in the global portable toilet industry.
PlasTec Technology is a system supplier for technical plastic applications and, as a specialist in rotational moulding and vacuum forming, they also offer the development and assembly of complete products with over 28 years of experience. The production is accompanied by holistic SAP processes, beginning with the 3D design and extending to the assembly of complete systems, while embedded in a large company network, PlasTec Technology benefits from the flexibility and agility of a small company.
Our final factory visit was to Premier Tech, makers of probably the largest rotomoulded underground tanks in the world, or at least the largest ones I’ve been privileged to see. The company has committed to saving water for the past twenty years and their innovative products have had a major influence on the latest technology currently available in their region and around the world.
Ironically, or perhaps very necessarily, the final day of Rototour 2018 didn’t include any factories but provided both a desperately needed rest and a final chance to spend some relaxed time talking to those who had by then, become real friends and colleagues in this experience. The majority of the group went to Bremen, a small medieval town outside of Hamburg for a last chance to relax with each other before joining what would be the largest ARMO conference ever held.
The 2017 Alumni included 27 delegates from 10 different countries who visited 10 factories in 7 cities across China in a busy 10 days before heading to Hawaii for some much-needed down time (only one day) before joining the ARM / ARMA Joint Forum. Mario Perez, one of this year’s participants from Columbia, said “I learned a lot and enjoyed the trip. The Rototour group was wonderful and very friendly.”
As usual, the tour began with an optional add-on, which is a mixture of tourism and factory visits around Beijing. Two of China’s major attractions are there, so it was a great way to start and delegates enjoyed the craziness of a tour through Tiananmen Square, with its huge picture of Chairman Mao, the stunning and very large Forbidden City, a traditional Peking Duck Dinner and the following day a tour of the Great Wall of China. I still have a picture of the first delegation in Tiananmen Square, which is one of my favourite moments of 20 years in the moulding industry. Even in 2017, a group of Europeans is still an unusual enough opportunity for local Chinese people to snap a photo of themselves with one or all of the tour.
The first moulder on the program was Lang Fang Quan Zhen Automobile Fittings Co., Ltd, which was founded in 1997. The Auto parts factory covers an area of 66000m2, their rotational molding factory covers an area of 80000m2, and they have more than 400 employees. Their leading products are for sun visors, roof, carpet, sound insulation products, SMC, GMT heavy products and injection molding and rotational molding products. The company manufactures foamed containers, a specialisation for many Chinese rotomoulders as well as septic systems and water retention systems.
The tour is both an opportunity and a challenge for the factories that choose to host. One of this year’s delegates to China has also been a host factory and has seen the benefits of both sides. Tim Leed and Steve Kyval of Melbourne Rotomould believe it’s a good investment. Steve says “This was our second Rototour, and we are again looking forward to working these fresh insights into our business over the next 12 months.”
The group’s first flight from Beijing to Shanghai was, quite typically for China, delayed and subject to traffic woes, but eventually the full delegation settled in for the rest of the tour together. The next factory, situated several hours outside of Shanghai is one of the world’s largest rotoliners. Santi specialises in chemical preservative rotomolding equipment. The company has advanced production equipment and technology, mainly in modified polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene – tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyolefin (PO), polyphenylene sulfide and polypropylene as raw materials. Production of all rotational molding anti-corrosion chemical equipment, chemical preservative steel liner rotomolding equipment, non-standard steel liner rotational molding, manufacturing chemical preservative three series, in over 100 varieties. This company also transports machinery dockside and rotolines containers beside the ships on which they will be storing chemicals!
Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is the country’s biggest city and a global financial hub. Its heart is the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. Much of China’s rotomoulding industry is based around Shanghai’s wider region and, while in the city, ARMA partnered with RPC-CPPIA, the Chinese association, for their conference, at which several of the Rototour delegates presented. The afternoon was followed by a joint dinner, which allowed Chinese and international moulders to get together and share the experience and their knowledge.
The following day the group visited Shanghai Chunxu Mould Industrial Co., Ltd. One of the biggest mold suppliers and rotomolded products professional manufacturers and exporters in China. Their product range includes aluminium moulds used to mould playground toys for export and custom-design moulds for other rotomolding plants in China. They also make Air-blower shells, shipping cases, tool cases, petrol tanks, flower planters, water tanks, and many other things. The tour visited this factory in 2005 and the quality, expertise and communication has improved markedly.
The next visit was to Cixi Deshun Container Co.,Ltd founded in 1999, which produces plastic products and moulds. They employ around 200 staff working in the plant and are one of the most advanced mould manufacturers in China, regularly working with international clients.
The Cixi area, south of Shanghai is the main hub for the Chinese rotomoulding sector, also plants are scattered across the country. Dafeng Plastics & Metals Industry Co., Ltd is specialized in developing and producing both rotomolded and blow molded products. They have introduced advanced international techniques, special equipment and plastic material for rotational molding. The company’s newly developed rotationally molded products include cases, motorcycle fuel tank series, lampshades and flowerpots & leisure products.
KSC, rotomoulders from Kazakhstan are regular participants for Rototour but because they also have local manufacturing in China, they were precluded from joining this year. Happily for the group, they hosted an amazing dinner. They turned their factory into a restaurant for the night, included a full fireworks show, private entertainment, flowing drinks and fun.
At Ningbo Kuer Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. also known as Cool Kayak, while still recovering from the night before, the group found out that they have been manufacturing high quality rotationally molded kayaks since 2012. Their 5000 square ft factory is located in Ningbo and all of their products are manufactured in this location. They recycle all of the off cuts and use this in the molding of their seats and small parts. They also package all their boats in biodegradable bags. They have recently upgraded all of their ovens to ensure high efficiency.
The tour travelled to Wenling, a city further south by China’s high speed train. A very comfortable ride, which was lucky, given that one of the group had a fall and had to continue the rest of the tour in a wheel chair.
Wenling Rising Sun Rotomolding Technology Co.,Ltd is located in Wenling City, in the southeast coast of Zhejiang Province. The company is specialised in the production of rotational moulding machines and moulds and have a long list of international clients. In fact during the tour, one of the group signed to confirm their purchase, another had a private visit to discuss their new machine and we found out that the company now has customers in almost every area of the world. They were amazing hosts and very helpful in helping us manage some of the challenges in dealing with Chinese customs.
While in the Wenling area, we also visited Zhejiang Feiyou Kangti Amusement Facilities Co.,Ltd. A modern company which features production, sales and R&D. They are specialized in manufacturing all kinds of playgrounds and entertainment equipment of various sizes. The plant is very professional with a huge range of components to manage, producing high quality parts for the local market and export. During this visit and others delegates and factories often share knowledge on everything from specific moulding issues and problems to production systems and safety solutions.
And the business that tours foster continue long after. Daniel Wos, owner of Polyworld in Australia said “I have attended many Rototours, and I can honestly say that there was not one that was a waste of time. I can always bring back some changes and improvements to my organisation, and in meeting with so many people, they have given me limitless opportunities for potential business or future improvements. Through our Research and Development, we are working on the poly lining of steel vessels – we have had many failures and successes, but the visit to Santi in China gave me a completely different approach to this technology. After the tour, I contacted Mr Feng Guo and Paul Lam and we are working on a close cooperation on a potential joint venture. Now we are in a process of market opportunity research prior to commitment to a JV in China. Without having attended Rototour (and all the travel discomfort) this opportunity would never have presented itself – so you will continue to see me on many of these tours in the future.”
The last internal flight of the tour took the group to Guangdong, one of the largest cities in China, still moving south towards Hong Kong. Here we visited Dong Guan Malish Cleaning Equipment Co., Ltd, a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of quality brush, extruded plastics, molded plastics and specialty products which are marketed throughout the word. Dong Guan Malish, is a USA based moulder who has established local moulding in China for export to regions such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, United States, Europe, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Delegates here were able to see some fascinating new types of manufacture most had never seen before.
The last visit of the tour was to another local moulder in Guangdong, the Guangdong Adlo Group Co., Ltd. which was founded in 1981, and is a largescale Non-Government enterprise consisting of several subsidiary companies, involved in research, manufacture and trade. The group covers an area of 150, 000 m2 and employees over 1, 000 personnel. Their rotationally molded products include motorcycle rear box & helmets, barbecue grills & Barbecue tools, traffic & road products such as road barriers, traffic indication lights, garbage bins & flowerpots.
After an informative, exhausting, astonishing week and a half, most of the tour group prepared for the overnight journey to the ARM / ARMA Joint event in Hawaii, which is highlighted in this issue already. Like the tour, the joint event was an opportunity for moulders from around the world to network and share information, skills & expertise. New Zealand rotomoulder Jim Jackson says of the tour “I learnt a lot and now have a much broader insight into the rotomoulding process in China. ARMA delivered a very well organised adventure considering all the challenges faced on the journey. “
It was so exciting to be able to host a Rototour in our home country and have the opportunity to show off just how lucky we are to live and work in Australia. 23 people from 6 different countries had the time of their lives! The tour kicked off in sunny Brisbane with a spin on the Brisbane eye and dinner at a local pub before a good night's sleep as the next day was action packed. First up was a visit to Polyworld, where attendees were offered vodka and a breath test, a first on tour.
And then it was off to Q Tank and Global Rotomoulding and an interesting look at the outback, including sheep searing right before dinner. The next morning was Bushman Tanks and then back to Brisbane for the flight to Melbourne. Waking up to the most glorious views of the Yarra River, attendees had a full day of touring the factories of Melbourne Rotomould, Roto Industries and out to Kiel Industries before heading back for a Chinese Fusion dinner.
The next day was a tour of Viscount Rotational Moulding, followed by a quick stop at Brighton Beach for photos and then back to the airport to fly up to the Gold Coast. The weather was exceptional for some time out on the water and a visit to Taylex Industries and Superior Rotomoulding. Then all the attendees were very lucky to experience a short helicopter ride over the stunning beaches of the coast. The tour ended with Rotomould 2016: The ARMO Conference held at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove.
¿Everyone on the tour was able to see a kangaroo and hold a koala!
Rototour Great Britain was a huge success with 34 attendees from 7 different countries. The tour started with an optional extra visit of Scotland where attendees visited the Scottish Highlands, drank whisky at the Glen Fiddich Distillery, dined exclusively in a castle and experienced rotomoulding during a visit to the Balmoral Group. Everyone then flew over to Belfast, Ireland to tour Kingpan, Clarehill Plastics and the very famous Queens University Belfast. Then it was on to the main land of England, starting at the home of The Beatles, Liverpool, with an enlightening look at Matrix Polymers and dinner in The Beatles Museum. Even the hotel that night was Beatles themed. After that, it was time to experience some of the English countryside, visiting Polytank, JSC Rotational Moulding, Palm Equipment & Leafield Environmental. We also visited Shakespeare’s House and the beautiful city of Bath.
The crew then headed back to Nottingham and was joined by another 10 moulders for the day trip to Rototek, ICO Polymers and Imagenta. And then a day of relaxation in Lincoln where we visited the Castle, the Cathedral and the Magna Carta before heading to one of the most interesting and memorable dinners on the tour. Blue Cheese Ice-cream anyone? All the fun of Rototour ended here as everyone put their business hats back on for the ARMO Conference in Nottingham!
This tour was a smaller group than usual due to a last minute location change from South America. It was still just as enjoyable for the attendees though. The tour kicked off in Los Angeles and then travelled on to Phoenix, Milwaukee and Chicago and ended at Rotoplas.
There were visits to Rotational Moulding Inc. Plasticraft Corporation, Meese Orbitron Dunne, Elkhart Plastics, Romotech, Minuteman International, Seljan Company, Powder King and Mold In Graphic Systems.
All tours are filled with the best dining experiences available and attendees on this tour had extra free time to explore. The Harley Davidson Museum was a definite highlight, as was staying in Chicago's number one most haunted hotel. Time at Venice Beach to visit what you usually only see in movies and market food tours provided opportunities to enjoy local areas.
The tour ended at Rotoplas in Chicago.
Held in November 2013, ARM Australasia’s Rototour through India was again a huge success. With delegates from 9 countries on the tour, including Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Venezuela, The Netherlands, China & Fiji, there was a great international flavour. Here’s a quick rundown of what delegates experienced.
Day One: For most of the group it was off to Agra to see the Fort and Taj Mahal. While it was strictly tourism for the day, it gave all a chance to get to know each other better.
Day Two: The partners on the tour enjoyed a great day of touring and shopping, visiting some of the major sights in Delhi. Our first factory visit for the majority of the group was to Baheti Rotoplast and was followed by Newgen Specialist Plastics. Finishing off the day with a walking tour through old Delhi, delegates tried street food and then had dinner in a private mansion within the walls of the old city.¿
¿Day Three: Our second day of factory tours in Delhi, and we were off to OK Play India followed by a visit to the Kingdom of Dreams for a Bollywood experience and a quick opportunity for delegates to grab some gifts for home before catching an evening flight to Ahmedabad.
Day Four: The group went to visit Sintex Industries, Promens and Consta Cool Pvt Ltd. The evening presented another amazing dinner followed by a tour through the back streets of Ahmedabad, showcasing how incredible India can be.
Off to Vadodara to spend a fantastic day with Reinhardt Roto Machines, checking out their huge new facility for machinery manufacturing and their moulding factory. Delegates had the opportunity to crawl all over the equipment and get totally involved. Following the factory
Day Five: Dhanu from Reinhardt showed the group through the fabulous Laxmi Vilas Palace and then invited us all back to Shivinder’s house for a wonderful lunch before the long drive to Silvassa
It was an incredibly long drive to reach Nilkamal Industries, but worth it! This state is vegetarian, so lunch in a very local restaurant was a concern but the food was fabulous, as was the Vodka shared by our Russian & Kazakhstan delegates!
After day six lunch, it was another long trip out of the country and back into the frenzy of Mumbai. Florescent carriages took the group to dinner in the fabulous Khyber Restaurant, one of Mumbai’s finest local venues.
The final day included a flight to Goa and another short bus trip to our final factory, GMI Zarhak Moulders. After an amazing week of combined work and touring, the group left to join the ARMO 2013 conference, in southern Goa.
The tour through Germany and Poland had over 15 attendees from all parts of the world. Starting in Hamburg, Germany attendees experienced authentic German hospitality and food. The companies of Koever, Rota, Hako and Savo were each very different and worthwhile and we thank them for opening their doors to us.
From here we travelled through Poland to Poznan and enjoyed dinner in the longest established place in town, rumoured to have a Polish King dine there. The next day we visited Kingspan, Haba and the University of Poznan.
The next day we drove towards Krakow and stopped in at Wroclaw for a city tour and then on to Auschwitz, one of the most amazing places to visit. In Karakow we toured Orex Rotomoulding, Elplast and ERG System and then enjoyed dinner hundreds of metres below ground in the Salt Mine. That was a world class experience.
The tour group flew to Lyon, France for the start of the ARMO Conference, enjoying a lovely French dinner on the final night that the group was together.
The USA tour had 15 attendees and kicked off in Chicago and travelled to Indiana, Ohio, New York and Wisconsin.
Factory Tours were held at Promens North America, Meese Orbitron Dunne, Ferry Industries, Reduction Engineering, Trilogy Plastics, Formed Plastics, Dutchland Plastics Corporation and Plasticraft Corporation.
Although the focus of high quality food and wine. Rototour is around business and factories with attendees still getting to experience local highlights and amazing dinners. On the USA tour they visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a New York tour and attended a Broadway Show. Dinners were held in breweries, local and authentic restaurants, enjoying
The tour finished with the inclusion of the ARM Conference and Rotoplas Exhibition in Chicago.
Rototour 2006 encompassed Germany, Italy & France and started with the ARMO Conference in Berlin. After enjoying some of the local German fare during their stay in Berlin, the 30 attendees then flew to Italy and kicked off with a tour of Bergamo.
The next few days were when all the factory tours started, with the first being Rototech, then Sinterplast and Eurotank. Attendees then flew on to Paris and spent the weekend touring the highlights and attractions of the city of lights. From here, the tour progressed to Versailles Palace and a spectacular dinner event. The next factories toured were Kerpont, L'Oceane and then attendees headed to Orly to visit Rotoplas and enjoy time touring the Champagne Caves and Reims Cathedral.
The final day was a visit to the Rotoplast Factory and then a transfer back to Paris for a final group lunch in beautiful surroundings.
In July 2005, the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia (ARMA) sponsored an exceptionally educational tour through mainland China, which was attended by 80 delegates representing 9 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, India, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, USA and South Africa. The group visited historical landmarks and experienced the developing Chinese rotomolding industry through on-site visits to rotational molding factories in the top industrial and economic regions of Shanghai and Zhuhai.
Factories visited inluded: DeshunContainer Co., Ltd and Cixi Zinfan Rotomolding Co., Ltd in Cixi; Shanghai Cnflon PolymericMaterials Engineering Co.,Ltd. and Shanghai Three Dimension Plastics Products Co, Ltd in Shanghai; Dachang Lighting Co., Ltd in Guzhen Town, Zhongshancity, Guangdong; and Polymer Rotomolding Company Limited in Zhuhai. Delegates also visited with the managers of Zjfeelfree Rotomolded Plastic Co., Ltd, located in CiXi NingBo City.
