CompositesWorld Digital Demo Highlights Vectorply Reinforcements & Technical Services

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply Corporation is an engineering-driven company with a strong focus on helping customers drive innovative ideas from concept to creation. A recent Digital Demo published by CompositesWorld highlights the unique combination of custom reinforcement fabrics and expert technical service that gives customers the ability to meet ambitious goals with confidence in their laminate and production process.

Vectorply Vice President of Composite Engineering Trevor Gundberg explains the wide variety of fabric combinations that are engineered by fiber choice, ply architecture, and added veils, backings, and cores. In addition, Vectorply’s suite of technical services including on-site technical audits, VectorLam laminate analysis and design, and in-house testing capabilities are described in detail. This combination of products and services allows customers to gain a competitive advantage in their market by creating higher quality products that are validated for performance and production efficiency before fabrication begins.

To view the Digital Demo, visit the link below:

Optimized fiber reinforcements, fabrics, NCFs

Vectorply receives prestigious IBBI Supplier of the Year Award

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Phenix City, AL – On Friday, March 5th Vectorply Corporation was presented the esteemed Independent Boatbuilders Incorporated (IBBI) Supplier of the Year Award in a virtual ceremony for the six finalists. The selection represents the second Supplier of the Year honor in the past three years, an accomplishment that was also achieved in 2019 when Vectorply won a Supplier of the Year Award and the John “Walkabout” Sisson Memorial Innovation Award.

The Supplier of the Year Award is presented each year to the supplier who obtains the highest cumulative score on a survey completed by the group’s 18 owners at 24 different locations. Survey categories include product quality, continuity of supply, and technical service. In a challenging 2020 year that saw a global pandemic affecting raw material supply and on-time deliveries across all manufacturing industries, Vectorply’s dedication to keeping the IBBI members’ group supplied was vitally important to continued production according to IBBI President Tom Broy.

“Vectorply’s consistency and reliability were huge factors in their selection as 2021 IBBI Supplier of the Year by our owner group,” Broy said. “Vectorply has been a key supplier to the IBBI for more than 15 years, and we are happy to have them in our corner when times are challenging.”

Vectorply Vice President of Sales Tamir Levy said that the company’s relationship with the IBBI is one that has grown into a close partnership with trust at the core.

“Last year we saw challenges that were unprecedented in our industry. To have a partner like the IBBI, who trusts that we will always take care of our customers means the world to us,” he said. “We are extremely honored to be selected as IBBI Supplier of the Year and look forward to continued growth and innovation together.”

Vectorply hires Edison Ospina as Field Engineer

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply Corporation recently announced the hiring of Edison Ospina as Field Engineer. Ospina will fill the vacant position left by Mike Ditzler, who was promoted to Southeast Region Sales Manager.

Ospina becomes Vectorply’s second field engineer along with Drew North. The field engineering program provides on-site technical support for customers from laminate design to finished part production. Field engineers work alongside Vectorply and distributor sales and technical service managers to provide a valuable resource to composite producers.

Ospina comes to Vectorply from 3A Composites Core Materials/Baltek Inc, where he worked for 21 years as technical service engineer and lab manager. He has an extensive knowledge of all composite materials used in the transportation, aerospace, industrial, marine and wind energy markets. His experience has focused on quality and research and development of new materials and processes. Tapping into his experiences, Ospina can help guide customers to the best materials and processes to suit their application.

Vice President of Composite Engineering Trevor Gundberg is excited to bring on another technically proficient engineer who is very familiar to Vectorply.

“Most of us in Vectorply’s sales and engineering groups have worked alongside Edison on many customer projects over the past two decades and seen firsthand his level of skill, knowledge, and professionalism,” Gundberg said. “With the recent promotion of Mike Ditzler to our southeast region sales manager role, we had an important field engineering position open that required all of these attributes, and we are lucky that we able to bring on someone of his caliber.”

Vice President of Sales Tamir Levy said that Vectorply will continue to lead the way in customer support, and the field engineering program is a crucial part of that goal.

“Our main goal at Vectorply is to make it easy for customers to do business with us,” he said. “Edison’s expertise and experience allow us to help customers from beginning to end of their production process and allows us to add even more value as a supplier. We are very excited to have him on our team.”

Vectorply announces organizational promotions, new roles

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply Corporation, a world leader in the design and production of composite reinforcement fabrics is committed to providing the highest level of support to our valued customer base. Today, to expand upon that commitment, we announce the promotions of Seth Holman and Jordan Haar to new positions, and Mike Ditzler to Southeast Region Sales Manager.

Holman joined Vectorply in 2008 as Northeast Region Sales Manager. Today, he will begin his new role as National Sales Manager, where he will lead our territory sales managers and direct sales efforts in North America. His technical expertise and customer focus have helped Vectorply consistently grow our Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canadian customer base over the past 12 years.

“Seth has been crucial to our success over the last 12 years,” said Vectorply CEO & President Trevor Humphrey. “His attention to detail and knowledge have consistently delivered strong growth in his region, and those traits will carryover into his new position leading our sales team.”

Also taking on a new role is former Southeast Region Sales Manager Jordan Haar, who will now lead Vectorply’s market growth as Business Development Manager. Since joining Vectorply in 2011 Haar has aggressively grown our business in the Southeast region of the U.S. As Business Development Manager, he will work closely with Vectorply’s sales, engineering, and marketing teams to define, locate, develop, and close business opportunities nationally.

“Jordan’s forward-thinking approach to new business has helped cement our position as the market leader for innovative, value-added reinforcements,” Humphrey said. “We are excited to see Jordan expand his focus to the national level and continue to provide our customers with the best solutions that meet their goals.”

Assuming the position of Southeast Region Sales Manager is former Field Engineer Mike Ditzler. Ditzler, who has been with Vectorply in multiple roles since 2010, has a wealth of technical expertise and experience within the composites industry. Ditzler’s hands-on leadership has helped many customers improve their processes and products, and he has been very involved in composites education as a frequent presenter of technical demonstrations nationwide.

“Mike has a well-earned reputation as a technical expert within our industry,” said Humphrey. “His knowledge of our products and our customer base will ensure a smooth transition to Southeast Region Sales Manager and allow us to continue providing leading composite solutions for the Southeast market.”

Vice President of Sales Tamir Levy believes that these organizational changes will give Vectorply the ability to serve our customers at an even higher level.

“Seth, Jordan, and Mike have each been so important to our success as we continue to make it easy for our customers to do business with us,” Levy said. “These promotions will allow each of them to do what they do best, which will make our entire team stronger.”

 

Virtual CAMX and IBEX trade shows offer new opportunities

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Phenix City, AL – Like many other things, in-person trade shows in 2020 look a lot different than usual. Due to the global pandemic, live gatherings have been replaced by virtual events to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. Two prominent shows in the composites industry, The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) and The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), have announced their transition to a virtual format offering new opportunities for networking and education.

CAMX is the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America for products, solutions, networking, and advanced industry thinking. This year the show has been re-titled, “A New CAMX for a New Time” and scheduled for Monday, September 21 – Thursday, September 24 (See CAMX Schedule HERE). As a yearly exhibitor at CAMX, Vectorply will once again participate as a virtual exhibitor at the 2020 show. Visitors who register for CAMX 2020 will be able to schedule meetings with our sales and engineering teams, view our products, and learn more about our company and capabilities. Those interested in attending CAMX are invited to register for a free exhibit hall pass as our guest via the link at the top of our home page.

The following week, IBEX will take place virtually from Tuesday, September 29 to Friday, October 2 (See IBEX Schedule HERE). IBEX is North America’s leading technical boat-building showcase which delivers a unique forum where the marine industry can do business, share ideas, and accelerate new product development. As a leading supplier to the marine market, Vectorply will also be virtually available for meetings and discussions, and will have a sample of fabric variety available for viewing.

Although we won’t be able to visit in-person this year, we invite you to join us virtually at these two important composites industry trade shows!

Vectorply Bolsters Sales Staff with Addition of Todd Green

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply Corporation is excited to announce the hiring of Todd Green as sales manager for the North American Central North Region. Green comes to Vectorply with more than eight years of experience in composite engineering and sales.

Green holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University and has worked in the composites industry since 2008. In his new role, he will be responsible for Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Eastern Montana, and Northern Kentucky in the United States as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Green joins a sales team comprised of four additional regional sales managers and an advanced composite business development manager. Vice President of Sales Tamir Levy believes that his addition adds even more strength to a group already known throughout the composites industry for technical expertise and customer focus.

“Todd’s composite engineering experience, as well as his past sales experience will further enhance our technical efforts in the Central North Region,” Levy said. “We are excited that Todd has joined our team and look forward to him delivering the same high level of customer support that the industry has come to expect from Vectorply.”

 

General Motors Co.

Carbon Corvette bumper beam featured on CW Magazine cover

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply carbon fabrics earned a prominent feature in the May 2020 edition of CompositesWorld Magazine.

The carbon, which is highlighted in the form of Shape Corp’s 2020 Corvette Stingray bumper beam, was also chosen for the cover photo on the leading composites industry publication.
In 2014, Vectorply joined forces with Shape Corp. to begin developing specialized carbon fabrics and laminate schedules for the automotive world’s first curved pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam. General Motors Co. made waves in the auto industry in July 2019 with the release of the highly anticipated Corvette Stingray and Shape’s innovative bumper beam has been notably featured in the composites industry since the release.

Along with the four-page story on the carbon fiber beam, CompositesWorld also created a sidebar detailing Vectorply’s involvement in the material development and selection. The sidebar can be viewed at the following link: Material choices for the Corvette rear bumper beam

Vectorply wins Shape Corp. 2020 Supplier of the Year Award

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Spring Lake, MI – On Thursday, February 27, Shape Corp. held their 2020 Supplier of the Year Award ceremony with more than 60 key suppliers in attendance. Vectorply Corporation, who has partnered with Shape since 2014 on development and material selection for Shape’s innovative curved, composite pultrusion process, was recognized at the ceremony with a selection as a Shape Corp. Supplier of the Year.

“Receiving the Supplier of the Year Award from Shape Corp. is a true honor for our entire team at Vectorply.” Said Vectorply President and CEO Trevor Humphrey”. “There’s no doubt that Shape is and will continue to be a key strategic partner of ours. Our companies share many common goals, and throughout our history our teams have worked closely together to provide high quality products for the automotive market.”

In 2014, Shape Corp. called on Vectorply to begin developing specialized carbon fabrics and laminate schedules for the automotive industry’s first curved, multi-hollow pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam. Initially, Vectorply’s sales and engineering teams assisted Shape Plastic and Composites Engineering Manager Toby Jacobson with dialing in the ideal fabrics for their revolutionary new curved pultrusion process. The historic part produced from this process was included on an equally historic automobile – General Motors Co.’s first mid-engine Corvette – the 2020 Corvette C8 Stingray.

“Through Shape’s innovative production process and willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible with composite materials, we have been fortunate enough to contribute to the automotive world’s first curved, pultruded carbon part for the 2020 mid-engine Corvette,” Humphrey said.

An equally important member of the collaborative team is Composites One, a leading North American distributor of composite materials and technical expertise. The success at Shape has resulted, in large part, because of Composites One’s technical support and consistent delivery according to Humphrey.

“I would also like to thank another great Vectorply partner, Composites One, for introducing us to Shape six years ago and for their continued support since that time,” he said. “Composites One’s dedication to supply excellence has been crucial to our combined success as a team.”

As a world-leader in the development of advanced composite reinforcements for high-end products, Vectorply relies on creative partners such as Shape to continue to innovate and push the limits of composite materials.

“As an engineering-driven company we cannot continue to improve as a supplier without customers who are willing to take risks to develop new processes and products that test our capabilities. For that, we are extremely thankful for our relationship with Shape Corp., and humbled to receive this wonderful award,” said Humphrey.

Vectorply carbon fiber utilized in historic new mid-engine Corvette

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Phenix City, AL – In July 2019, General Motors Co. made waves in the automotive industry with the release of the highly anticipated 2020 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. A dream more than 60 years in the making, the mid-engine Corvette features innovative components that maximize performance and blaze new trails for parts and processes within the automotive market.

One such part that GM highlighted during the July 18th debut is the automotive world’s first curved pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam. Produced by Shape Corp. with Vectorply Corporation carbon non-crimp fabrics, the multi-hollow bumper beam garnered national attention of its own within the composites industry. To date, the carbon bumper beam was nominated for the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Process, Assembly and Enabling Technologies Award and been featured in numerous composite and automotive publications.

The first production model Corvettes will be available early 2020, but development for the crucially important carbon bumper beam began many years ago. In 2014, Vectorply joined forces with Shape Corp. to begin developing specialized carbon fabrics and laminate schedules for this vital part. Initially, Vectorply’s sales and engineering teams assisted Shape Plastic and Composites Engineering Manager Toby Jacobson with dialing in the ideal fabrics for the revolutionary curved pultrusion process. For this distinctive task, Jacobson, Shape’s team members and Vectorply’s staff turned to VectorLam, Vectorply’s proprietary laminate analysis software.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray features an industry-first curved, pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam produced by Shape Corp. with Vectorply carbon fabrics.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray features an industry-first curved, pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam produced by Shape Corp. with Vectorply carbon fabrics. Photo Credit: General Motors

VectorLam provides a cloud-based, multi-platform compatible approach to classical laminate theory and helps customers achieve goals of stiffness, strength, weight and cost by allowing users to design the perfect laminate for their application. Despite the wide range of applications VectorLam excels in, Shape’s industry-first part provided a unique challenge for Vectorply’s engineering team and software.

With adjustments to VectorLam required, Vectorply Senior Composite Engineer Molly Ditzler, P.E. accepted the challenge of tailoring the software to provide the perfect recommendations and data for Shape.

“We took the profile of their bumper beam and modified VectorLam to analyze their section so they could narrow in on the optimum laminate,” Ditzler said. “This was in the initial stages and Shape took it much further, including an FEA to verify the results.”

The hollow, curved bumper beam offered a unique challenge due to the complex structure dependent on multiple shear wall supports.

As the relationship between Shape and Vectorply grew, several different versions of advanced carbon fabrics were produced for testing and validation. According to Jacobson and Vectorply Northeast Region Sales Manager Seth Holman, this process helped both companies strengthen their expertise, processes, and quality.

“The support that Vectorply has provided has been unbelievable. I don’t think we’d be where we are now without them,” Jacobson said. “We asked Vectorply to do a lot of things that has been critical to producing the final design.”

Holman added that Shape’s requests helped Vectorply push their capabilities and production offerings to a new level.

“Through the entire development process, they have helped us think outside the box and be a better material supplier,” he said. “We’ve developed and maintained tighter tolerances in several key aspects that yield favorable processing and create efficiencies in Shape’s process. As time went on, they actually made us a better supplier and allowed us to prove our value in the process with our Production and Technical Services Team.”

In a high-end application such as the Corvette Stingray where each pound is key to performance, Vectorply’s wide range of carbon fabric production capabilities and technical assistance proved valuable to the success of the history-making bumper beam. As new markets and applications continue to push the boundaries of what is possible through composite production, Vectorply will play an integral role in the development and production of advanced composite fabrics to meet growing demands and expectations.

“Our goal at Vectorply is to help customers build the best products through the use of highly engineered composite reinforcement fabrics and optimized laminates, especially in new and emerging markets” said Vectorply President and Interim CEO Trevor Humphrey. “Shape Corp. and GM’s curved, pultruded bumper beam is a monumental accomplishment in the automotive and composite industries, and we are proud of the role that we played in the development and supply of specialty carbon fabrics for this groundbreaking application.”

Photo Credit: General Motors

Vectorply launches new, user-friendly product search database

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Phenix City, AL – Finding the perfect composite reinforcement fabric for your laminate has never been easier! On Friday Vectorply released an updated version of the product search database section of www.vectorply.com. The new search feature offers a seamless transition to a more user-friendly platform that allows visitors to locate their ideal product’s technical data sheet quicker and more efficiently.

Pictured is an example of the new search database mobile interface.

The most noticeable change to the search database page is the addition of a keyword search field. Users can now search for a specific product, such as ‘C-BX 1200’, or a specific keyword such as ‘carbon’ or ‘triaxial’. General industry terms such as the trademarked name ‘Kevlar’ and ‘uni’ (for warp unidirectional fabrics) can also be entered in this field.

Other options for searching products include drop-down selection boxes for fiber type, fabric architecture, and series type. Multiple drop-downs can be selected to search simultaneously, or just a single drop-down option can be chosen. A convenient ‘show all’ button also gives users the ability to see all standard Vectorply products and compare properties in the results table.

With a search completed, locating the right product among the results has also become much easier. A rebuilt search table now allows users to sort individual columns by value, meaning searchers can arrange products from lightest to heaviest, thinnest to thickest, etc. Users can also hover over a value and see what the value represents if the header row is not visible. This added functionality means that the important data is always in plain sight regardless of the number of results in the chart.

Finally, Vectorply’s new product search database page was created in a mobile-friendly format. Customers and visitors can quickly access the search database on their Android or Apple device to find important technical information whether they are in a boat shop, in the field, or in the office.

Products listed in the search database are all standard, but custom engineered reinforcements are also available. To find out more, call 334-291-7704 or 1-800-577-4521 today!