By Gary Thomas
Silicones raw material manufacturer, Bluestar Silicones has opened a new manufacturing and research and development (R&D) facility in York, South Carolina. The initiative is the core part of the company’s strategic growth plan for North America, which will position Bluestar Silicones as a major supplier in the silicones market.
The company is working on global expansion plans and it has shifted two of its U.S. manufacturing facilities located in Rock Hill, South Carolina and Ventura, California to a new building in York. The relocation further reinforces Bluestar Silicones’ commitment to the markets in North America. The center includes laboratory facilities, larger manufacturing workshops and new pilot equipment, which are anticipated to accelerate product development and increase technical synergies. The facility will also offer better customer service capabilities, leading to faster response times and enhanced efficiencies.
Currently, the company manufactures a wide range of silicones, including resins, antifoam, specialty fluids, release coatings, dispersions, fluids, -temperature vulcanized silicones (RTVs), high consistency rubbers (HCRs) and liquid silicone rubbers (LSRs) at the York plant. These materials are traded under Bluesil, Lyndcoat, Silcolapse, Silcolease and Silbione.
J. Christopher York, Bluestar Silicones North America’s President, the York manufacturing and R&D center will provide a sufficient space to expand workshops, which in turn support growth in existing specialty markets as well as entry into new markets. Bluestar Silicones is already in a leading position in providing textile coatings and paper release coatings for automotive air bags. The company is looking forward to speed up its entry in high-growth markets, including solar energy, healthcare and personal care. In addition, it plans to increase staffing in technical service, marketing and sales at the new facility.
Source: http://www.bluestarsilicones.com/