News

Composites One Acquires Process Materials Business from Solvey

March 2, 2021 ~

Introducing Aerovac – Major Supplier/Manufacturer of Process Materials and Tooling

Composites One, the leading North American supplier of composites materials and value-added services, has completed its purchase of the Process Materials business from the Solvey Composites Materials Global Business. The acquisition is a unique opportunity for the company to add international manufacturing and sales capabilities in specialized materials used in a variety of vacuum-assisted composite manufacturing processes.

Working with Composites One on the successful acquisition was Emko Capital, which specializes in investing in and managing privately held industrial and manufacturing businesses.

The acquired business has been rebranded as Aerovac and is a major manufacturer, developer, and supplier of process materials, tooling, and services used in prepreg processing, vacuum infusion, glass lamination, and other industrial applications.

The Aerovac brand was first established in the 1970s in Europe and has always represented innovation in process materials. It changed in 2000 to Richmond/Aerovac, a name referenced in current Aerospace specifications. “The name Aerovac pays homage to the brand’s heritage and customer focus which is now combined with the market presence of Composites One,” said Robert Murdock, Vice President & General Manager of Aerovac.

The Aerovac line is comprised of an extensive array of vacuum bagging materials, from bagging films, breather fabrics, release films and fabrics, to peel plies, sealant tapes, valves, and hoses. Also available are tailored process materials kits and hard and soft tooling.

These products are the same quality process materials that Composites One has been providing to customers for the past two years while serving as Aerovac’s North American distributor. “Aerovac is a natural, strategic extension of Composites One’s business,” said Steve Dehmlow, CEO of Composites One. “It positions us for future growth, and further establishes Composites One as a major supplier to the Aerospace, Wind Energy and Marine markets.”

“We believe that the Process Materials business will greatly benefit from being part of Composites One,” said Carmelo Lo Faro, President of Solvey Composite Materials Global Business Unit. “Their intent is to grow and invest in the business, fostering innovation, reliability, and customer service and build on the excellent work that our Team has done.”

With the acquisition, Composites One gains multiple manufacturing, kit design/fabrication, and materials distribution locations including Santa Fe Springs, California; Sumner, Washington; Keighley UK; Mondovi, Italy and Toulouse, France. An additional site in Toulouse focuses on the design and manufacture of hard and soft tooling. Another attractive inclusion is a UK-based distribution business, Med-Lab, which trades in aircraft engine overhaul consumables and fuel testing instruments.

For more information about Aerovac, please visit www.aerovac.com.

About Composites One

Composites One is North America’s leading distributor of composite materials serving customers from more than 44 locations. Composites One offers composites fabricators and molders thousands of products

600 of the industry’s top suppliers through a technical sales, technical support, and customer service force that is the most knowledgeable in the industry. The company offers a variety of value-added services that include closed mold technologies, process applications reviews, regulatory compliance assistance, and unmatched technical support. Composites One is headquartered in Schaumburg, IL. Find out more at www.compositesone.com.

About Emko Capital

Emko Capital focuses exclusively on investing and managing privately held industrial and manufacturing businesses. You can learn more about Emko at www.emkocapital.com.