Advanced Polymer Coatings is to significantly expand production capacity in Ohio, the better to serve its clients around the world
Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC), the Avon, Ohio-based protective tank coatings manufacturer, has embarked on a major expansion of its factory as part of bold new plans to increase its market share in the chemical tanker, rail, tank container and industrial markets.
The work, due for completion later this year, will almost double the size of the facility to some 42,000 ft2 (3,900 m2) and add a new automated manufacturing system, which will permit a 400 per cent increase in output capacity for its MarineLINE tanker coating and ChemLINE products for rail, tank container and industrial clients.
“This investment in our factory is the biggest in our company’s 27-year history,” says president David Keehan. “We are seizing the baton from my late father, Don, inspired by his vision to ‘Give up the good to go for the great’. The new factory sends a message that we believe MarineLINE and ChemLINE are the best chemical-resistant coatings in the world and we aim to meet the growing demand for both. That means putting our money where our mouth is and investing cash drawn from reserves so the company remains debt-free. We aim to use our new facility to catapult our market share year over year.”
The investment will also protect existing jobs and support plans to recruit more positions in R&D, lab, and sales domestically and sales, technical and customer care globally.
LET’S GET TECHNICAL
Development of the Avon complex will also expand R&D facilities with an expanded laboratory and testing facilities, a pilot plant and a new spray booth for product testing. “Our chemists are undertaking terrific research on finding solutions for our customers,” Keehan says. “As a result, we expect to unveil some great new product innovations, currently undergoing land and sea trials, which can really disrupt several industries.” APC has partnered with fellow Ohio company UWL, the global freight forwarding and distribution house, to support this development.
“The new partnership with UWL gives our customers greater efficiency and visibility of product delivery times so they can plan their operations better,” Keehan explains. “Customers can now, for example, track a shipment so they know exactly what ship is carrying their MarineLINE consignment and when it will arrive. We believe UWL, with its network of people, is the best partner to get shipments of MarineLINE into countries at speed.”
Around 75 per cent of APC’s sales are exports and this will remain a pivotal component in its growth strategy. “We want to expand more into various markets globally,” Keehan adds. “We have a strong presence in China but see a lot of growth potential for MarineLINE and ChemLINE in many other parts of the world. For instance, Japanese owners and yards have preferred stainless steel tanks, but we believe MarineLINE’s powerful advantages will attract more business. Moreover, being a family-run second-generation business gives us an edge as we pride ourselves on knowing our customers personally and giving them the best customer experience possible. We want them to feel like our business partner instead of just a customer.”
A critical factor in APC’s growth will be raising awareness of MarineLINE and ChemLINE’s outstanding performance, which the company believes positions them as the most robust and versatile coatings in the world. And the desire to get the word out is also part of the expansion at Avon, as Keehan explains: “The more we invest in our facilities, product development, people and customer care, the more we can get these positive messages out there.”
source: https://hcblive.com/apc-get-your-coating-on/
