Broad-based specialist aims to widen horizons
Northampton-based rotomoulding materials and ancillaries specialist Matrix Polymers has uprated its market presence with modernised literature and web site, which it launched at last autumn's ARMO conference in Belfast.
The brochure sums up one of the key themes for the sector when it says: "The future success of rotomoulding depends upon companies coming up with innovative new designs and pushing the boundaries of the process."
In the present climate, this approach has never been more vital as established outlets, especially in the automotive sector, lag.
Martin Coles, the Matrix Polymers managing director and owner, sees some scope for the process to benefit from the current malaise, citing customer demands for the shorter runs, lead times and J-i-T requirements which are associated with rotomoulding. And, talking to PRW last month, he reported some encouraging signs with recovering demand lifting activity levels at Matrix to the point where capacity is being fully employed again.
But, any recovery is from the very low levels experienced late last year which prompted a rationalisation programme across the three Matrix Polymers sites in Northampton, Merseyside and Poland.
Coles believes that the lay-offs, while painful, were a prudent response to the triple whammy of weak demand, fierce destocking and plummeting stock values. Now, although he remains cautious over the outlook, he points to some positive sectors to balance up the weak demand from the automotive sector as well as from the weak Irish economy which has hit demand for oil tanks, an important outlet.
"We are seeing some bright parts in the leisure and medical sides which remain strong and are still doing developments with customers and seeing an increase in enquiries," he said.
Matrix prides itself on close collaboration with its customers, a particularly important relationship in the present climate, he says.
This month sees the launch of a new family of eco friendly products designed to fit in to today's harsh economic climate. This eco friendly approach is part of the new Matrix focus.The company is also looking to enhanced polypropylene grades featuring whiter colour and improved performance, adding to its extensive scope in polymer supply for the process where it has close links with a number of key suppliers.
Matrix believes that its new web site, featuring a new E-shop, will enable processors to exploit the company's extensive range of rotomoulding peripherals to sit alongside its core materials business.
The line-up features such elements as surface enhancers, graphic adhesives and inks, several of which are products supplied from the Mold-In Graphics range where Matrix represents the US market leader.
Economic conditions may have prompted Matrix Polymers to put back its usual Spring technical symposium until the autumn, but in other respects the company retains its faith in the future of the process. Meanwhile it is seeking to develop further new products, in response to customer demands, which will help expand the range of products that can be economically made by rotomoulding, Coles says.
This article was published in an edition of PRW.
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