Simpson Technologies, Aurora, Ill., licensed Sintokogio Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, to manufacture certain models of Simpson's Beardsley & Piper Speedmullor batch muller.

Production of the new line of equipment is expected to begin at an unspecified time in 2007.

The two companies have maintained technological relations since May 4, 1960. The most recent agreement, signed by Simpson President and COO Bruce W. Dienst and Sintokogio President Atsushi Nagai, gives the Japanese company the right to produce an expanded line of metalcasting sand preparation technology, particularly the Simpson Mix-Muller, utilizing Simpson patented designs and trademarks.

The two companies’ license agreement has been amended and extended several times over the years and has resulted in the sale of more than $100 million worth of Simpson machines built by Sintokogio for the Asian markets.

According to a Simpson press release, the expanded agreement was signed in response to the demand by Japanese metalcasters for increased volumes of prepared sand to support investments in modern, high production molding lines.

"A very special relationship exists between our companies," said Dienst. "I'm very pleased that we've extended our cooperation in this new agreement, and I look forward to the many benefits that both companies will realize in the future."