Web Industries Launches Composite Formatting Line in France
New slitting, spooling capacity meets growing European aerospace demand
MARLBOROUGH, Mass.—April 21, 2020 — Web Industries Inc., a precision formatter of composite materials, has announced the installation of a high-volume composite slitting and spooling line at its Omega Systèmes plant in Nantes, France. The new production line adds capacity to serve growing demand for both thermoset and thermoplastic slit tape composites from aerospace fabricators across the European market.
The 48-head line is the first of many that Web Industries expects to install at Omega Systèmes, which was acquired by Web in January 2019. The line’s custom slitting and spooling capabilities mirror those of Web’s North American precision converting operations, enabling the company to offer identical formatting services and quality standards to customers on both sides of the Atlantic. The new line can take master rolls of composite materials, precision slit them into narrower widths and then traverse wind the slit material onto spools. Customers can then easily load these spools of slit tape onto their robotic automated tape laying machinery or other fabrication equipment.
“We are entering an era in which competition will intensify, and production optimization will be an increasingly important factor in productivity gains,” said Web Industries Vice President of Corporate Development Kevin Young “The new machinery we have developed and implemented can format both thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials to supply the entire European market.”
With this capacity investment, Web Industries is deploying resources to help customers meet composite material requirements for next-generation aircraft programs. These programs are expected to drive a surge in manufacturing of single-aisle airplanes with significant composite content. “We are focused on this challenge and are working with material suppliers, automation developers and fabricators to find new approaches that deliver improved yields, increased throughput and lower cost,” said Michael Quarry, vice president of aerospace operations, Web Industries.
COVID-19 Mask Production Update
Web Industries is equipped to develop nonwoven and material converting solutions that support the manufacture of disposable medical products, including masks and gowns, for the COVID-19 crisis throughout North America and Europe.
Web Industries’ Omega Systèmes business is currently filling an order for 7,800,000 personal facemasks, up from 900,000 one week ago. The masks are approved by the French General Directorate of Armament to the Ministère des Armées for distribution to food manufacturers, supermarkets and nursing homes conducting business in France.
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Web Industries has expanded European composite formatting capacity with the addition of this composite slitting and spooling line at Omega Systèmes in Nantes, France. Photo courtesy of Web Industries Inc.
About Web Industries
A 100% employee-owned company, Web Industries, Inc. is one of the largest and most diverse providers of precision converting and outsource manufacturing. We help customers in the Aerospace, Medical, Personal & Home Care, and Industrial markets bridge their capability gaps and accelerate their go-to-market success by leveraging close, trust-based relationships to develop ingenious solutions precisely tailored to their needs. From project inception through commercialization, Web offers creative problem-solving backed by deep technical and operational expertise.
