Since the January 2015 merger of Wisconsin Thermoset Molding (WTM) Inc. and Rose Polymer Composites LLC, the two Milwaukee-based companies have taken further steps to expand their capabilities that include the acquisition of AcroReels, also located in Milwaukee, and the roll-out of a new corporate name: Cornerstone Composites Inc. The custom composite molders along with AcroReels, a maker of high-quality, precision plastic reels for the medical and recording industries, will operate under the umbrella brand Cornerstone Composites to provide original equipment manufacturers with tailored, high-performance composite material engineered to replace metal and thermoplastic parts.

"Industry 4.0, and the technologies that support it like 3D printing, automation and The Internet of Things, are changing the way OEMs make parts," said WTM Vice President of Sales Andy Stroh. "To remain competitive they are looking for ways to increase productivity, improve performance and reduce production costs. We can support OEMs from a material standpoint by working with them to develop custom formulations that are stronger than metals or thermoplastics, corrosion resistant and potentially lighter in weight."

Under the Cornerstone Composites name, the two companies have enhanced their capabilities to tailor components from concept, prototyping and testing to tooling and production methods, said the company in the announcement. Equipment upgrades include 32 advanced compression, transfer and injection molding presses supported by extruders, preheaters and preformers. Four shifts operate between the two manufacturing locations which produce parts from ¼ to 30 inches wide.

"Our combined capabilities make us especially suited to help industrial and commercial OEMs who use a large amount of metal parts and structural and mechanical components or who produce parts that will be exposed to harsh chemicals or temperature extremes," Stroh stated. "AcroReels designs high-precision reels for the medical industry. One of our customers was exiting the business, so we purchased the line because we felt the proprietary product was a fit with our custom molding business. It's a niche technology we'll be able to continue to provide to that market segment."

In addition to design and fabrication, WTM and Rose Polymer have the flexibility to make one offs or high-volume part runs. "With large and deep-draw parts capability, we can offer an unprecedented size range," said Stroh. "Our goal is helping customers find the best possible material for their application, whether or not we make a sale."

WTM and Rose Polymer will continue to maintain their separate locations, with WTM acting as the central contact for customers for both locations as well as AcroReels.