Extrusion International 6-2024-USA

28 Extrusion International 6/2024 28 INDUSTRY NEWS Expansion in the U.S. The Polymers Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, now provides an exceptional opportunity for inter- national companies in the plastics industry to show- case and test their technologies and products in the U.S. market. Through a specially designed "Nesting" program, foreign manufacturers can present their equipment in a state-of-the-art facility spanning ap- proximately 130,000 square feet and benefit from comprehensive support services. Sesotec is proud to be the first Nesting partner, leveraging the Polymers Center to establish a direct connection with end-users and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the U.S. Patrick Sommers, Sales Manager at Sesotec Inc., highlights the value of this new program: “We are thrilled to collaborate directly with end-users and OEMs, bringing our expertise to the table in a focused manner. The Nesting program enables us to cater to the industry’s unique demands while efficiently sup- porting processes and applications.” Established in 1999 by the State of North Carolina, the Polymers Center is dedicated to driving techno- logical innovations in the plastics industry and at- tracting new businesses to the region. As a non-profit organization, the center provides targeted support to help companies establish their technologies in the U.S. market. Each year, over 1,400 participants engage with the Polymers Center’s diverse testing, training, and educational offerings. With the new "Nesting" program, the center expands its capabilities, offering six specially equipped spaces for international compa- nies to present their technologies directly in the U.S. market. The program is particularly geared toward companies with proven technologies in plastics pro- cessing and production. Charlotte is an ideal location for companies seeking to establish a presence in the U.S., offering proximity to major industrial hubs and excellent connectivity, making it a perfect launchpad for market entry. The Polymers Center boasts a cutting-edge infra- structure tailored to the plastics industry. Companies participating in the Nesting program benefit from an extensive range of equipment: six extruders, three in- jection molding machines from various manufactur- ers, and a variety of auxiliary devices, including pel- letizers, mixers, feeding systems, and filtration units. Additionally, tenants have access to a fully equipped laboratory capable of analyzing the physical proper- ties, flow characteristics, and composition of plastic compounds. Another advantage for Nesting partners is the Poly- mers Center’s ability to present equipment to poten- tial customers on their behalf, even if the partner company cannot be on-site. At its new North Carolina location, Sesotec offers various training sessions, test runs, and customer events. The Polymers Center also provides Nesting partners with office spaces, each fully furnished (3x3 meters), along with storage rooms for products and testing equipment. Additionally, there is a conference room for up to 45 people, suitable for training sessions, vir- tual meetings, and product presentations. Partners can also enhance their visibility with company sig- nage at the facility. The Polymers Center also supports Nesting part- ners with various services, including administrative support, marketing assistance, and event planning. These services encompass organizing seminars and customer meetings, providing catering, and creat- ing marketing materials such as brochures, LinkedIn posts, blog articles, and mailings. To fill the remaining five spaces in the Nesting pro- gram, the Polymers Center is initially targeting compa- nies from Europe, particularly Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The center’s staff has extensive experience and strong connections in these regions, facilitating market entry for international businesses. Bill Murphy and Phil Shoemaker, the center’s director, both have held leadership roles in European compa- nies and are well-connected in the industry. Sesotec Inc., Sesotec GmbH www.sesotec.com Patrick Sommers, Sales Manager at Sesotec Inc., is convinced of the advantages that the Polymers Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina offers Sesotec (Photo: Sesotec GmbH)