Vectorply wins second consecutive IBBI Supplier of the Year Award

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Orlando, FL – On Tuesday, March 4th Vectorply Corporation was presented the Independent Boat Builders Inc. (IBBI) overall Supplier of the Year Award at the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, FL. The selection, made by the group’s member-owners, represents the second consecutive Supplier of the Year Award for Vectorply following two uniquely challenging years for manufacturers across the globe.

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 owners. Survey categories include product quality, continuity of supply, and technical service. The IBBI consists of 17 owners across 23 locations, and cumulatively, the group produces nearly 25 percent of all boats sold in the United States.

Vectorply’s Supplier of the Year awards from 2021 and 2022 on display at the company’s corporate headquarters in Phenix City, AL.

IBBI President Tom Broy, who presented the award at the annual awards dinner, said that Vectorply’s product and technical support offerings give his group an edge in the competitive boat building industry.

“IBBI and our member-owners value the partnership we have formed with Vectorply,” he said. “The capabilities Vectorply offers our builders are unique in this industry and help provide IBBI members with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

In a year defined by global supply chain interruptions and never-before-seen logistical challenges, Vectorply Vice President of Sales Tamir Levy said that each Vectorply employee played a crucial role in keeping the company’s customer base supplied.

“I am extremely proud of our entire team at Vectorply. Last year was a challenging year, and this award is only possibly because of the hard work of every team member within our company,” he said. “To be selected as Supplier of the Year for the second year in a row and trusted by the IBBI members is such an honor for Vectorply. We are extremely grateful for their partnership and thankful for this award.”

Vectorply hires Toby Jacobson as Advanced Composites Business Development Manager

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Phenix City, AL – Vectorply Corporation recently announced the hire of automotive industry expert Toby Jacobson as the company’s Advanced Composite Business Development Manager. In his new position, Jacobson will focus on carbon and other advanced material business development across a multitude of markets including automotive, aerospace, industrial, and others.

Jacobson is a long-time proponent of Vectorply who played an integral role in the development of the automotive industry’s first curved, pultruded composite component; the rear bumper beam of the revolutionary mid-engine Chevrolet C8 Corvette produced with Vectorply carbon fiber by his previous employer Shape Corp. (Grand Haven, MI). The first-of-its-kind bumper beam spent more than five years in research and development and made headlines across the composites and automotive industries for its breakthrough utilizing the curved pultrusion process.

Jacobson’s career began with Johnson Controls in 1996 where he held multiple engineering and leadership positions during his 10-year tenure. He provided technical leadership for a team of more than 50 employees and his project management for injection molding operation consolidation led to a Global Merit Award.

In 2007 he made the move to Shape Corp., a tier-one automotive supplier who supports several automobile producers with key components and structures. As an R&D product manager and product engineering manager with Shape, Jacobson lead teams of product engineers, tooling engineers, process engineers, and product designers. His passion for innovation and a relentless approach to technical innovations led to his selection as Shape’s first ever “Innovator of the Year” recipient in 2017. Jacobson has built a strong foundation in thermoplastic and thermoset materials with a deep knowledge of mechanical performance and testing, recycled materials, laminate design, and characterization of materials for CAE/FEA.

Vectorply CEO and President Trevor Humphrey is excited about the addition of Jacobson and his deep knowledge of composite materials.

“Toby has been a friend to Vectorply for many years and we have seen first-hand his extensive knowledge of composite materials, specifically in the automotive industry,” Humphrey said. “We are excited that he is joining our team of technical solution providers who are focused on helping our customers achieve their goals.”

 

Vectorply debuts Digital Innovation Zone at CAMX

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Phenix City, AL – On the opening day of the 2021 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Dallas, Vectorply released a new online composite knowledge center in the form of the Digital Innovation Zone hosted at Vectorply.com. Visitors to the new Digital Innovation Zone can browse a diverse library of video resources built to educate and assist anyone currently using or interested in composite materials.

Vectorply’s Digital Innovation Zone features several company-specific informational assets such as a series of tutorial videos for VectorLam, the company’s proprietary laminate design and analysis software. Videos give a complete demonstration of how to get started using the complementary software, as well as more detailed tutorials that address the most frequently asked questions and dive into specific functionalities.

Product highlight videos explain the benefits of different types of Vectorply materials, and lab capability videos detail the wide range of testing services that the company offers. Visitors are also able to learn more from customers who have utilized Vectorply’s products and technical services to gain a competitive edge in their market.

In addition, visitors can learn more about composite materials in general. Users can gain knowledge about the benefits of composite materials through educational videos about fiber types, architectures, and multi-layer products with different backings, cores, and veils. Vectorply’s Digital Innovation Zone is a valuable asset for anyone interested in composite materials or production.

To visit the Digital Innovation Zone, click HERE

Shem Roose

Chill Foundation offers empowerment through boardsports

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Since 1995, the Chill Foundation has helped more than 25,000 young people overcome challenges through many types of board-sports. Started by Burton Snowboard founders Jake and Donna Carpenter, the Chill Foundation works with social service agencies, mental health agencies, foster care programs, juvenile justice programs, and schools in local communities to select youth participants who can learn the art of boarding regardless of their location, according to Chill board member Bo Twiggs.

“These are opportunities for growth, exploration, challenge and enjoyment for people that exist all over the place,” he said. “When you talk about snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding and stand up paddle boarding. . . anywhere there is a body of water, a bit of concrete, a mountain, or even a hill with some snow on it there’s an opportunity for a kid who hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to really maximize their growth potential.”

To make such an impact on an international scale, Chill organizes many fundraiser events each year with one of their largest being the Chill Golf Tournament at Vermont National Country Club in Burlington Vermont. In their 20th Annual Golf Tournament last week, Chill was able to raise an amazing $210,000 for youth development programs that will allow the organization to continue to have a positive impact on youth across the globe.

As a longtime sponsor of the Chill Golf Tournament, Vectorply was on-hand on Monday, August 30th to take part in such a vital fundraiser. According to Twiggs, the support of sponsors will allow Chill to continue to grow domestically and internationally, enabling even more youth to grow innately through board-sports.

“We’re beginning a really significant international expansion. Again, any place there’s a mountain we know, we have a model that works, and we are just scratching the surface in terms of the number of people we can impact,” he said. “The other piece that is on the horizon for us is growing our length of engagement with kiddos and strengthening the impact we can have on their lives beyond just our programing. We’d love to be in a place where we are helping these kids move towards careers and move into leadership in outdoor sports, and we are so grateful for your support.”

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Vectorply hiring for production positions

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Vectorply is a dynamic company growing exponentially as a producer of composite reinforced material in a rapidly expanding industry.

We are currently seeking entry level machine creeler positions available on 2nd Shift (Monday – Friday 3pm – 11pm) and 3rd Shift (Sunday – Thursday 11pm – 7am). Overtime is currently required to meet production requirements. Successful candidates will be able to perform tasks and duties as trained that will allow for the safe and efficient operation of the manufacturing equipment to which assignment is made.  This position starts at $12.62/hour with growth opportunities to over $17.00/hour. All full-time employees are eligible for an excellent benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Company-paid life insurance, matching 401(K) retirement, and our Incentive Program where you can earn up to $1.50 more per hour!  We have many opportunities for those seeking growth within the company as well.

To learn more and apply for these positions, please visit Ziprecruiter via the link below:

Vectorply Jobs in Phenix City, AL | ZipRecruiter

 

Vectorply attending, presenting at virtual North American Pultrusion Conference

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Phenix City, AL – On April 13-15, more than 200 industry leaders, customers, OEMS, and suppliers from around the world will take part in the ACMA and European Pultrusion Technology Association’s (EPTA) premier North American Pultrusion Conference via a virtual platform. As a leading reinforcement supplier in the pultrusion industry for more than 20 years, Vectorply Corporation will host one presentation and take part in another.

On the opening day of the conference from 3:35 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST , Vectorply Vice President of Engineering Trevor Gundberg will join Shape Corp’s Paul Roehm and Scott Bader’s Jeffrey Starcher in a dynamic presentation titled Ideal Automotive Applications for Curved Pultruded Sections: Material Selection, Design, Testing, and Production. This presentation explains the opportunities for curved, pultruded profiles in the automotive industry which was pioneered by Shape’s creation of the automotive industry’s first curved, pultruded part in the 2020 Chevrolet Mid-Engine C8 Corvette bumper beam. A wide range of material combinations from Vectorply and Scott Bader, coupled with Shape’s industry expertise and production capabilities, will be highlighted to show automotive manufacturers the benefits of choosing composite materials for curved sections.

The following morning (Wednesday, April 14), Gundberg will dive into choosing the correct pultrusion laminate with a presentation titled Key Considerations When Choosing Pultrusion Reinforcement Fabrics. In this presentation, attendees can learn more about Vectorply’s selection of standard and customer pultrusion reinforcements, as well as the company’s industry-leading technical services. Fabricators will learn about Vectorply’s scope of support to select the correct reinforcement for their specific production goals.

To learn more about the North American Pultrusion Conference or to register, visit this link: North American Pultrusion Conference

 

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.”