38 | Panel Perspectives: Trade Fabrication Systems
NEW PARTNERSHIP ADDS VALUE TO OSB
UK wood panels processor Trade Fabrication Systems (TFS) has been acquired by US-based chemicals producer Arclin in a move which will see benefits for both parties. Stephen Powney spoke to TFS father-and-son leadership team Howard and Adam Morris
U
S chemistry-based company Arclin and UK wood panels processor Trade
Fabrication Systems (TFS) have come together in in a partnership that could see interesting possibilities in added-value panel products.
Arclin, well-known in the composite wood panels sector for its resins and overlays, acquired TFS on 10th November 2023. The US company is a giant, with 12 sites across North America and an extensive portfolio of polymer technologies and engineered products for numerous industrial applications including building products, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, weather and fire protection and other industries.
In contrast, TFS, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023, is a small panel processor with a main site in Warrington, England, and a facility in Scotland. It specialises in processing coated and laminated wood-based panel products and has approximately 50 employees. The acquisition of TFS marks Arclin’s entrance into the panel laminating and spray coating sector, in addition to other assets key to providing finished products. Arclin said the move was a key part of its strategy to expand its presence internationally into new regions while also diversifying its product offerings into markets that are related to its core surfacing competencies.
“TFS provides new products and capabilities to Arclin, both in Europe and in North America, thereby supporting and strengthening Arclin’s objective of getting closer to the end consumer while being a key partner in executing Arclin’s growth and innovation initiatives,” said Matt Pogue, Arclin’s president of engineered building solutions.
TFS ADDS VALUE TO PANELS “We add value to panels,” said TFS managing director Howard Morris. “We don’t buy and sell substrate, we add
value to other people’s substrates and our raison d’etre is we always looking for new opportunities.” TFS’ range of services include applying films, foils and coatings, as well material bonding and machining/processing services. One of the key potential growth targets TFS sees with Arclin is the TFS OSB paper overlay product as a way of upgrading OSB. “I know OSB producers are always looking at what else they can do to further the product as a plywood substitute,” explained Mr Morris. “One of the downsides of OSB is the face quality so you either have to face it with something or coat it.” It started R&D on this about five years ago. The pandemic interrupted the work, but it is now firmly progressing with the product. After a conversation with Arclin about the product, TFS met up with the Arclin team at the IWF exhibition in August 2022 to discuss various business options, including a possible joint venture, with TFS making various US patent applications for products. Ultimately, conversations progressed towards acquisition.
“Synergy-wide as a business it was ideal for us,” added Mr Morris.
Above: Howard (left) and Adam Morris WBPI | December 2023/January 2024 |
www.wbpionline.com
“They’re looking for more traction for the type of products they’ve got and to understand the market by being involved more directly with an applicator like us. Our process potentially opens up a much bigger opportunity.
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