NuSil expands R&D operations at its Carpinteria site

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (Oct. 31)—Silicone materials supplier NuSil Technology will double its research and production development capacity with a $1 million expansion at its Carpinteria facility. The project added about 5,000 square feet for laboratory space, plus another 3,800 square feet for office space, including the company's marketing department, said Richard Compton, NuSil president and CEO. The expansion—which commenced about nine months ago and is now about 95 percent complete—also includes improved mixing and packaging areas and a white room for clean room manufacturing. NuSil added several pieces of equipment as well, including vertical and horizontal mixers, two- and three-roll mills and a calender, Compton said. NuSil's growth—it anticipates a 20-30 percent increase in sales over 2002 by year's end—made the expansion imperative, he said.