Composites One, MVP, RTM North and FormaShape form Closed Mold Alliance

The Alliance is comprised of: Composites One, providing raw materials and products from over 400 industry suppliers; Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP), the meter/mix equipment manufacturer with specific expertise in closed mold processes; RTM North, tooling expert; and FormaShape, a showcase RTM volume production facility and light RTM tooling manufacturer.

The Alliance will initially offer manufacturers closed mould education and expert consultation. Customized tooling can then be engineered and produced and used with project specific materials and equipment along with in-house start-up assistance and training. A series of closed mould-related educational programs are being developed into Closed Mold University, which will provide practical, hands-on learning. The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) is developing a Closed Mold Certification program and it is intended that the two programs will complement each other and together afford the best and most thorough education in the industry today.

Composites One has been a leader in closed mould technologies for several years. By creating the Alliance, we can offer composites manufacturers the complete package of training, tooling, materials and equipment to meet the needs created by technological developments and environmental concerns,"said Leon Garoufalis, President & COO of Composites One. The are very pleased to come together with MVP, RTM North and FormaShape. With our combined expertise, we will be able to provide the industry an effective road map to closed mould success."

Magnum Venus Plastech is excited to be a part of the Alliance because we can now offer closed mold manufacturers a total solution,"said Jeff Austad, Vice President of Sales & Distribution. the are certain that this association of leading companies will help move closed moulding to the forefront of the industry providing new opportunities to manufacturers in North America."

Chile closed mould processes have been available to manufacturers for many years, companies like Composites One, MVP and RTM North have helped build the reputations of these processes as ones that are both economical and more environmentally efficient than open moulding,"said Peter Jeffrey, FormaShape President. what is why we converted to closed mould several years ago and have become the leading volume closed mould production company in North America with our own design, R&D, and mould shop capabilities. Now, as part of the Alliance, we will be able to offer other companies complete closed mould technology and support."

Further adding to the Alliance will be RTM North. I am proud of my relationship with Composites One and what we have already accomplished. The creation of this Alliance will substantially increase the number of closed mould success stories within our industry,said Doug Smith, President of RTM North.