JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012 - 48

reinforcement

AGY focuses on new markets and partnerships
March 2012 should be a red-letter month for AGY, due to the company’s three major announcements on its organization, development strategy and positioning on innovation. These decisions and undertakings should give fresh impetus to the leading advanced material solutions company.
Agy announced the signing of a longterm agreement with CTg/Taishan Fiberglass of Shandong Province, China to manufacture Agy’s new S-1 HM™ high-performance glass rovings for wind energy turbine applications. Manufactured under license from Agy, the rovings will be sold globally by both companies. Agy will focus on the wind energy markets in the US and Europe, and CTg/Taishan Fiberglass will sell to the wind energy markets in the Asia Pacific and African regions. Agy chose to partner with CTg/Taishan Fiberglass after a review of several potential suppliers. CTg/Taishan Fiberglass, whose main focus is to supply the highest quality glass fibre to its customers at the best price and with the best service, is one of the world’s largest glass fibre manufacturers. Like other industrial sectors, particularly automotive (which often sets the tone), the glass industry appears to be entering into a period of consolidation and partnership. For the time being, this
About CTG/Taishan Fiberglass CTG/Taishan Fiberglass Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Material Co., Ltd. and a National Key High-Tech Enterprise. Its lain products include E-glass rovings, TCR roving, chopped strand mat, yarn, chopped strands, multiaxial fabrics, knitted fabrics, and woven roving.

n 26 March, Agy announced the promotion of drew Walker to the position of President. In his expanded role, Mr Walker will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, merger and acquisition strategies, and business development. There are many challenges, and drew Walker will have his work cut out for him in the current general climate of aggressive economic and technological competitiveness. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He joined the company in 2005 and is a member of the Agy board of directors. before joining Agy, Mr Walker served as global Sales director for South Africa Paper and Pulp Industries (SAPPI). He previously held a number of positions at Victrex plc, including Sales director - Strategic Alliances, U.S. National Sales/ business development Manager, and global Product Manager. Educated in the UK, Mr Walker is a graduate of Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, England.

new partnership will enable Agy to extend its influence in Asia, where it already has a plant not far from Shanghai. With this agreement, the company will bolster its presence in what is an essential high-potential market for any player taking a position on the global chessboard.

Composite-reinforced aluminium conductor
In the area of innovation, the company is well-positioned in the high-potential electricity transmission market with a major application that has the

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Under license in China
On 27 March, just one day after drew Walker’s appointment was unveiled,

AGY facility in Aiken, South Carolina, USA (up) and Taishan Fiberglass (down) facility in China

48 jec composites magazine / No73 June 2012

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012