Apex Launches High-End Sheet Operation with Davis-Standard System
A recently installed Davis-Standard sheet system has Advanced Plastic Extrusion, LLC (Apex), up and running with excellent results.
Apex, based in North Carolina, is a new company focused on processing high-quality sheet with a "class A" surface for specialty and laminated sheet applications. Since starting production in September, Apex has been processing sheet using acrylic, ABS, HIPS, PC/ABS and TPO resins in thicknesses ranging from .010 to .187 mil and in widths up to 54 inches. The Davis-Standard system, extruder through roll stand, has been an integral part of Apex's successful launch from the perspective of both technology and service.
"After looking at several extrusion vendors, we chose Davis-Standard because of their quality, support services and longevity in the business," said APEX founder and owner Ronnie Buck. "For me to produce the very best sheet, we had to go with the best equipment, even if it cost more. Not only is Davis-Standard's equipment proven, but they survived the economic downturn when many others did not. The fact that they are in it for the long haul and have the reputation for quality is huge in terms of support and value after the purchase."
The APEX team also appreciates Davis-Standard's R&D capabilities. Prior to purchasing the system, Buck sent two of his most critical resins to Davis-Standard's technical facility in Pawcatuck, Conn. Davis-Standard was able to test the resins on a full-scale sheet line, successfully running both resins in various thicknesses and to the exacting quality requirements. For Buck, this was confirmation that his new company would have exactly what it needed prior to making such a large investment.
"My business has very specific goals and the lab trial was crucial. The line has performed as advertised and the training my operators received from Davis-Standard's engineers was invaluable," Buck explained. "Specific to the technology, I appreciate the automatic nip control for quick guage adjustment and changeovers as well as the customized screw design, which enabes us to process all resins using the same screw."
Buck may be new to the sheet extrusion business, but he is no stranger to extrusion. Prior to starting Apex, he spent 35 years in the decorative laminating industry, as the owner of a company that manufactured high-gloss sheet products for the automotive, marine, heavy truck and signage industries. His biggest frustration was finding a vendor who consistently supplied high quality extruded sheet, critical to sheet applications demanding perfection. To fill that void, Buck founded Apex and took on his former company as his largest client. He is steadily building his client base and looks to add another Davis-Standard system in the near future as production grows. Apex offers sheet in both rolls and sheet and with custom color matching.
"My customers will consistently receive the highest quality rolls and sheet on the market," he said. "We may not be the cheapest, but we will be the best. We look forward to growing our U.S.-focused market base in creating quality products that will be used all over the world."
