New Composites Venture on Isle of Wight
19th April 2004
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Harvest Polymers Ltd well known distributor of thermoplastic elastomers has embarked on a new venture into composite technology following its purchase of the assets of the former Offshore Composite Structures Ltd. The new company Solent Composite Systems Ltd is based on the Isle of Wight, already home to many leading global players in the composites industry.
Solent Composite Systems (SCS) operates from two sites on the island initially at the Innovation Centre a SEEDA supported facility for new IOW ventures. On April 19th 2004 SCS opened the doors to its new manufacturing and technology facility at Cowes Waterfront Venture Quays- also a SEEDA owned site, which will feature advanced composites companies amongst many of its tenants, not least Ellen Macarthur’s Offshore Challenge team.
Whilst Solent Composites does undertake specialist marine components such as fire proof carbon fibre engine enclosures, and offshore oil and gas structures, the company’s main focus is in the burgeoning wind energy sector, where it provides a portfolio of services in development and manufacturing of wind turbine blade moulds and related components. Given the UK’s growing high profile in renewable energy generated from offshore wind farms, it not surprising to see why Managing Director Huw Radley predicts rapid growth prospects for SCS in the years ahead. Already the company serves several global wind energy players including NEG-Micon Rotors and GE Wind Energy.
Additionally as Radley pointed out buying the assets of an existing company is much more than hardware, and in this case it largely is valued on the intellectual property and practical manufacturing know-how that enables it to take on major projects and take them thorough to timely and cost effective completion - a vital factor in the wind business. This approach comes form the company’s earlier heritage in serving the highly demanding Offshore Oil and Gas industry where quality and performance criteria are second to none. SCS services range from project management of entire turnkey projects to operator training and maintenance of composite mould systems.
Operation Director of Solent Composites, Matthew Chalk, a leading authority on composite mould technology serves on the steering committee of the IOW based Composites Hub an organisation dedicated to the advancement of IOW companies, forming a network of excellence in composites technology and manufacturing. Solent Composites Systems is also a member of the British Plastics Federation, Composites Group. SCS holds ISO 9002 accreditation and is working towards ISO 14001, expected at the end of 2004.
Further information from:
Huw Radley
Managing Director
Solent Composite Systems Ltd
Victoria Barracks
Albany Road
Cowes Waterfront Venture Quays
East Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO32 6AA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1983 292602 or +44(0)7770 731067
Fax: +44(0)1983 299055
E-mail: huw@solentcomposites.com
URL: www.solentcomposites.com
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