Polymers Center offers international companies optimal starting conditions.
The Polymers Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, now offers international companies from the plastics industry a unique opportunity to present and test their technologies and products in the American market. In a specially developed “nesting” program, foreign manufacturers can showcase their equipment in a state-of-the-art center covering approximately 12,000 square meters and benefit from comprehensive support services. Sesotec is proud to be the first nesting partner on board and to establish a direct connection to end customers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the USA through the Polymers Center.
Patrick Sommers, Sales Manager at Sesotec Inc., emphasizes the added value of the new program: “We are very pleased to work directly with end users and OEMs and to contribute our expertise in a targeted manner. The nesting program enables us to meet the industry's requirements on an individual basis and to efficiently support processes as well as applications.”
An Innovation Center with Clear Goals
The Polymers Center was established in 1999 by the state of North Carolina and has made it its mission to promote technological innovations in the plastics industry and attract new companies to the region. As a non-profit organization, the center provides companies with targeted support to establish their technologies in the US market. Over 1,400 interested parties participate each year in the diverse testing, training, and educational programs offered by the Polymers Center. With the new “nesting” program, the center is further expanding its capacities and now offers six specially equipped premises for international companies that wish to present their technologies on site in the USA. The program is aimed primarily at companies that already offer proven technologies in the field of plastics processing and production.
Charlotte is the ideal location for companies that want to establish themselves in the USA. Its proximity to important industrial centers and excellent connectivity make the city an outstanding starting point for market entry.
Extensive Equipment and Service Offerings for Nesting Partners
The Polymers Center offers a state-of-the-art infrastructure that has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the plastics industry. Companies participating in the nesting program benefit from extensive equipment: the center features six extruders, three injection molding machines from different manufacturers, as well as a variety of additional devices such as pelletizers, mixers, feeding systems, and filtration systems. In addition, tenants have access to a fully equipped laboratory that can analyze the physical properties, flow characteristics, and composition of plastic compounds.
Another advantage for nesting partners: the Polymers Center, upon request, will present the equipment to potential customers even if the partner company is not on site.
Sesotec Uses the New Location for Training and Customer Proximity
Sesotec offers various training sessions, trial runs, and customer events at the new location in North Carolina. The focus areas are on metal detection, metal separation, and magnetic solutions for quality control of plastic products. “Although our location in Bartlett, Illinois, is very well attended, we have recognized that it would be helpful for some customers in the southeastern USA to have us on site. This way, we save on long travel costs and can support our customers more quickly and directly,” emphasizes Patrick Sommers.
The Polymers Center also provides nesting partners with office spaces in addition to laboratory and testing areas. Each company receives a fully furnished office (3x3 m) as well as storage rooms for products and testing equipment. Additionally, there is a conference room for up to 45 people that can be used for training, virtual meetings, and product presentations. Visibility at the location is also enhanced, as partner companies can display a company sign on the building.
Networking and Exchange at the Polymers Center
The special advantages of the nesting program lie not only in the high-quality infrastructure but also in the interdisciplinary exchange: “The concept enables us to network, present our technologies, and work closely with other OEMs on innovative solutions,” says Sommers. “Particularly impressive is the opportunity to learn from specialists from other companies and to find new paths together.”
The Polymers Center also supports nesting partners with various services: secretarial services, marketing support, and event planning are available, including the organization of seminars and customer appointments as well as the provision of catering services. The marketing support also includes the creation of brochures, LinkedIn posts, blog articles, and mailings.
Focus on European Companies
To fill the remaining five premises of the nesting program, the Polymers Center is initially focusing on companies from Europe, particularly from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The center’s staff have many years of experience and close ties to these regions, which is intended to facilitate market entry. Bill Murphy and Phil Shoemaker, the director of the Polymers Center, have held executive positions at European companies and are well connected in the industry.
The Polymers Center offers an ideal platform to enter the US market while simultaneously benefiting from a wealth of resources and a strong network. Companies participating in the nesting program can present their technologies in the heart of the American plastics industry and gain access to a wide range of services and facilities.