TAFT APPLAUDS NATIONAL COMPOSITE CENTER SUCCESS
Distribution agreement with Composites One example of Third Frontier Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today applauded an announcement that Composites One will act as sole North American distributor of the National Composite Center’s Rapid Fiber Preformingtechnology. The technology, used in the production of molded composite parts, was commercialized with the assistance of Governor Taft’s Third Frontier Project.

“NCC’s commercialization of this cutting edge technology is an excellent example of how the Third Frontier is helping build Ohio’s reputation as a worldwide leader in advanced materials,” said Taft. “This Ohio-made technology makes the process of producing fiberglass and carbon fiber preforms faster, more efficient, less costly and safer for workers.”

The National Composite Center promotes, develops and applies advanced composite technology for the aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial and infrastructure markets. In 2003, NCC received a $2 million Wright Project grant through the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project. The award enabled NCC to purchase equipment that allows them to produce cost effective, complex, and very large composite products. Dayton-area collaborators on the project included the University of Dayton Research Institute, the Dayton Development Coalition, the Edison Materials Technology Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Through the agreement, NCC will supply the preforms and provide application development for Composites One customers along with technical support to the distributor’s service and sales representatives. The leading distributor of fiberglass and advanced composite materials in North America, Composites One generated $47 million in composite sales in Ohio last year. The company has locations in Ashtabula and Dayton, with a network of 32 additional distribution centers nationwide.

“Ohio’s success in the knowledge economy is dependent upon companies that can continually commercialize new products and technologies,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as Ohio’s Development Director. “The Third Frontier Project is one way we are ensuring Ohio has a climate in which innovative companies can succeed.”

Unveiled by Governor Taft in February 2002, the Third Frontier Project is a ten-year, $1.1 billion initiative to expand high-tech research capabilities, promote innovation, encourage company formation and create high-paying jobs in the State of Ohio. It is the State’s largest-ever, technology-based economic development investment, awarding more than $220 million to Ohio-based companies, universities and research organizations to date.