Lima, OH, August 29, 2007: American Trim took delivery of a new Physical Vapor Deposition Coating (PVD) chamber at its Advanced Material Commercialization Center (AMCC) in Lima, Ohio. This is a significant step forward in the development of this new technology which is the result of a partnership between American Trim and Rhodes State College via $1.38 million in funding from the Third Frontier Wright Project (an Ohio grant that supports organizations that effectively use research and development for new product innovation). The delivery of the PVD chamber represents a commitment by American Trim to make available new technologies to its existing and future customer base in the United States and abroad. PVD is a technique used to deposit thin film coatings onto various surfaces and represents a metal coating technology that is also environmentally friendly. “We are excited about the possibilities that this new process brings to the table for our customers,” commented Steve Hatkevich, Director of Research and Development at American Trim. “This allows for the application of a “chrome-like” finish to virtually any substrate at a lower cost while potentially eliminating costly process steps typical in plating.” PVD brings with it the ability for American Trim to supply customers with actual sample parts showing the advanced coating on their product. Previous technology has financially limited this ability, allowing only for small sample chips of coatings. While the chamber was primarily designed for decorative finishing in applications including bumpers, motorcycle parts (frames), appliances and automotive parts, there is potential for this technology to provide functional coating capability for solar panels, fuel cells, advanced energy systems and advanced medical instruments.

David Brown, Dean of Engineering and Information Technology at Rhodes State, believes, “The arrival of this chamber is a tangible marker of exciting and innovative events in the works for both Rhodes State and American Trim. There is a new day of technology emerging for manufacturers because of what will happen in the AMCC.” Installation of the PVD chamber will begin immediately and prototyping is expected to start before January, 2008. New plating business developed through the AMCC will remain in Lima, and allow for future employment opportunities.