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Corporate
| May 31, 2005 |
Formica Corporation Forms Manufacturing Agreement With Kemlite Company Inc. |
CONTACT:
Bill Roush
Formica Corporation
(513) 786-3162
bill.roush@formica.com
Companies will jointly manufacture and sell Formica frpSelect™ decorative wall product
CINCINNATI (May 27, 2005) -- Formica® Corporation and Kemlite Company, Inc. (a Crane Co. Company) today announced an agreement between the two companies to jointly manufacture and sell "Formica frpSelect™," a decorative wall panel.
"We're excited to team up with Kemlite to offer Formica frpSelect to commercial designers and architects," says Formica Corporation CEO and President Frank Riddick. "This truly unique product combines the best of Formica's industry leading high pressure laminate performance and decorative choices with the durability and moisture resistance of fiberglass reinforced plastic panels."
Technology innovations
Formica frpSelect is made by fusing the decorative melamine surface of Formica Brand Laminate directly to Kemlite's fiberglass reinforced plastic panel. Kemlite Company invented the fused high pressure laminate/fiberglass reinforced plastic product and has applied for a patent for the product combination. Formica Corporation is using its patented Hybrid - Fusion technology to fuse the decorative finish to Kemlite's fiberglass reinforced plastic substrate.
The resulting hpl/frp product combination is abrasion resistant, durable and impact resistant, and moisture and mold resistant. The product can be installed (glued) directly onto prepared drywall with no need of an expensive, heavy fiberboard backing. The Formica frpSelect product eliminates delamination and wood substrate swelling caused by moisture from cleaning or window condensation.
"Designers and architects for commercial markets such as fast food restaurants, grocery stores and hospitals are looking for a durable, wall panel or wainscot application that will not degrade or warp like wood or wood-based planks," says Rich Schueller, Kemlite's President. "Formica frpSelect provides an excellent performance and cost alternative solution."
Both Formica and Kemlite will jointly market and sell the product line as "Formica frpSelect- A Formica Corporation/Kemlite Product." Kemlite plans to stock and ship the product and complementary accessories ready for immediate shipment to its nationwide, exclusive frp Design Solutions Distributors from its new 91,000 square foot frp Design Solutions facility located in Joliet, IL (www.frpDesignSolutions.com).
A complementary line of Kemlite's patent pending Silhouette Trims TM moldings with molded in color base and clear surface has been selected for the product line. Custom colors are available. The accessories will also be marketed and sold by both companies.
About Formica Corporation
Founded in 1913, Formica Corporation is a leading surfacing industry innovator that designs, manufactures and distributes a full range of surfacing products for commercial and residential applications. To request information on all Formica brand products, consumer and trade representatives should call 1-800-FORMICA (1-800-367-6422) or visit formica.com.
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