Document MJqKVNVxGnO0o11pY6gJ70DYM

9 aass:a" !V : ** > 58E S '.as 3 sss * Cf9 } J fl W t O *' The growingfield of mechanized materials handling places ever greater demands on friction controls andfluid power controls. Lift trucks use Abex hydraulic components for power and depend on friction materials for brakes, clutches and transmissions. Wbar Control Products Abex wear control products Include a large number ofmetals and alloys in cast, machined and fabricated products. Sales ofwear control products declined. There was a general reduction ofdemand for castings in the capital goods industries and also a sharp reduction in orders from the iron ore and copper mining industry. Strikes of lengthy duration in three Abex foundries also curtailed production and shipments. However, the market situation showed improvements during the latter part of the year with a significant increase in orders, mostly for delivery in 19(59. Shipments of tire molds was the highest ever, increasing substantially over 1967. This was due to the changing styles and new types of tires and the expanding markets and merchandising operations of the manufacturers and retailers. The tire mold business has shown strong, steady growth over rhe past 10 years. Sales of railroad car wheels declined in 1968, mostly because of the decline in deliveries of new freight cars which were down from the preceding year. Orders for wheels improved in the latter part of the year. Trackwork sales declined, with the reduction more pronounced in Canada. These grinding mills represent one step in the reduction of iron ore in preparation for steel making. Abex provides a wide selection of alloys which combat wear from mines to rolling mill. 12