Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Can you give me an update on Samuel Manu-Tech? Regards.

Article Excerpt

Samuel Manu-Tech Inc., $4.55, symbol SMT on Toronto, (Shares outstanding: 32.1 million; Market cap: $146.2 million) makes steel, plastic and industrial products. It mainly sells its products in North America. The company has two divisions — packaging and metal processing. The packaging division, which accounts for 53% of its sales, mainly makes and distributes steel, plastic strapping, and related machinery and tools in North America. This division also distributes specialized metal products, wire rope and chain in Canada. Metal processing accounts for 47% of Samuel Manu-Tech’s sales, and makes stainless-steel tubular products, roll-formed products and steel pressure vessels. It also removes impurities from steel using acid in a process called “pickling.” Samuel Manu-Tech is taking advantage of the weak economy to expand. In August 2009, it paid $12.6 million U.S. for Piling Products, Inc., a Florida-based sheet-steel distributor. In September 2009, it bought out its partner in a 50/50 joint venture for $1.2 million U.S. Like Samuel Manu-Tech, this business makes…