Content about manufacturing

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is boosting its Gain brand with a formula upgrade that locks in the long-lasting scent of Gain.

Gain with FreshLock contains microscopic scent beads that rest throughout fabrics after they have been washed and dried, the company said. FreshLock is a scent technology upgrade made to all Gain laundry detergent and fabric softener products, which provides longer-lasting freshness for laundry, P&G said.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim will purchase a manufacturing plant from U.S. biotech company Amgen, the two said.

The plant, located in Fremont, Calif., is 100,000 sq. ft. and employs around 360 people. BI has been a contract manufacturer for Amgen for more than 10 years. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though BI said it would purchase “substantially all” of the assets at the plant.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — After announcing its voluntary recall of certain products at a wholesaler level on Friday, Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare division provided an update on its internal assessment phase of its comprehensive action plan.

NEW YORK — A new fabric softener from Henkel is sure to revolutionize the laundry category.

Henkel has rolled out its Purex Complete crystals softener, which can be directly added to laundry at the beginning of every wash cycle. Unlike traditional oil-based softeners, this innovative product infuses fibers with long-lasting fragrance. The softener also is 100% safe to use on baby clothes and children’s sleepwear.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Elmer’s Products revamped its hardware line in November with the addition of two products that offer consumers enhanced strength and performance. Elmer’s believes that by concentrating on the performance of products, it can help reduce consumer confusion at the shelf by providing all-in-one formulas.


ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., and NEW YORK — Marcal's Small Steps, a line of paper products that is made from 100% recyclable paper, is ready to salute those making environmental differences in their communities.

Through Feb. 25, visitors of MarcalSmallSteps.com/Heroes can nominate and vote for everyday heroes making a big environmental impact where they live. Five winners will be announced, receiving a total of $10,000 in donations to be made in their names to environmental charities.

LONDON — British singer Marina Diamondis of Marina and the Diamonds has been selected as the new face of Max Factor, according to published reports.

Diamondis will represent the beauty brand's Max Colour Effect Range in the new Big Night Out campaign, according to reports.

CINCINNATI — Sunny Delight is refocusing its North American business with the acquisition of a manufacturing plant owned by the J.M. Smucker Co., and is updating all five of its North American manufacturing facilities and data systems.

The $70 million upgrade, which will diversify Sunny Delight's business in North America, will improve its "corporate profitability, manufacturing efficiency and environmental footprint," said Ellen Iobst, the company's SVP manufacturing and technology.

Supplier News — Say goodbye to sweat stains with a new pretreatment stain remover from PharmaWorks. PitStop, PharmaWorks’ new innovation, removes stubborn yellow armpit stains by lifting and dissolving sweat-stain deposits, and it even can be used on old stains and rings around shirt collars. PitStop retails for $12.50 for a 12-oz. bottle. 


HYDERABAD, India A generic drug maker has entered an agreement to purchase another drug maker's U.S. penicillin site.

Dr. Reddy's and GlaxoSmithKline have inked a deal in which GSK will transfer ownership of its penicillin manufacturing site in Bristol, Tenn., and rights for the Augmentin and Amoxil brands in the United States to Dr. Reddy’s, an India-based drug maker.

This transaction is expected to close within the first half of calendar year 2011. Further financial terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

COLUMBUS, Ohio Elmer's is extending its hardware line with two new "max" versions of its glue products.

Elmer's new Carpenter's Wood Glue Max and Glue-All Max products enhance the strength and performance of two of Elmer's most well-known brands, the company said.

Elmer's products are available nationwide.

Consumers may be cutting their budgets, but when it comes to toys, there’s always room for a little splurge. Parents are more likely to cave when the toy offers educational value or is a classic.

Traditional toys are a mainstay of the category—particularly in the drug channel, where price points in the toy aisle rarely top $10. “Evergreen, classic games continue to be popular,” said Adrienne Appell, a spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association. “They are affordable and have appeal across generations, particularly around the holidays.”