By Liz White, UT contributing editorDenver, Colorado-Transmission belt maker Gates Corp. has expanded by buying Mectrol Corp.'s polyurethane power-transmission and motion-control belt business. Gates said in a statement on the purchase that it will form a new company-Gates Mectrol-to manufacture and market the PU products. "The acquisition of Mectrol creates new opportunities for Gates to service the linear positioning, motion control and conveying markets with polyurethane products," said Richard Bell, president of Gates, in a company statement. "As a part of Gates Corporation, Mectrol will now have additional opportunities for expansion into new markets and geographical locations," the Gates boss added. Gates said it intends to keep all the staff from Mectrol Corp.'s belt business. It has purchased all the production assets of Mectrol's PU belts business.Mectrol currently employs over 180 people at facilities in Salem, New Hampshire, Pfungstadt, Germany, and Cuautla, Mexico. Gates describes itself as "the global market leader of power transmission belt products." The Denver-headquartered has production plants and distribution networks in 20 countries. As well as making automotive and industrial power transmission belts and systems, Gates Corp., is also a major producer of hose systems for both automotive and industrial uses. Gates is owned by Euro 4400 million-turnover UK-based Tomkins plc."
