Quantum Silicones Locates in Chesterfield
Quantum Silicones (QSi), a newly-formed limited liability company which will produce silicone specialty polymers, has located its production operation in a 14,000 square foot building at 7518 Whitepine Road in the Chesterfield Airport Industrial Park. The products they will produce include silicone foam resins, liquid silicone rubber, moldmaking products, potting and encapsulating material. The products will have applications in the aerospace, automotive, rail, electronics and furniture industries. The company was formed in November of 1997 by three former GE Silicones employees, Tom Loman, Steve Helms and Phil McDermott.
The unique specialty silicone polymers QSi will produce offer properties that include high and low temperature capabilities (- 85 to 500 degrees F) and excellent flame resistance. In addition, the polymers are environmentally safe. An area of concentration for their polymer is the production of silicon foam, which is being developed for use the aircraft and rail car seating. The cushions, in effect, would be flame resistant and would not emit toxic fumes when subject to high heat such as might be experienced in aircraft or automotive accidents. QSi has a joint venture with Magnifoam Technology Inc. of Barrie, Ontario who produces the silicone foam cushions and other silicone foam products.
Specialty silicones manufacturing, a one billion-dollar market in 1997, is anticipated to be one of the fastest-growing, high-performance market opportunities and is forcasted to grow at an annualized rate of 15 – 20% over the next five years. Key drivers of this market will be the continued expansion and development of fire-safe materials, electronics, computing, fast prototyping, fiber optics, aerospace, automotive electronics and industrial fabric coatings.
According to Tom Loman, President of QSi, “We are very excited to bring our new business to Chesterfield County. Our combined experiences in the silicone industry, along with our innovative approach to this technology will enable us to bring unique products and unparalleled service to our customers. We are looking forward to being a part of the growing high tech industry in Chesterfield and the Richmond area.”
Chesterfield County was chosen by QSi for its convenient location and pro-business climate. The majority of QSi’s customer base will be along the Interstate 95 corridor, and its location in the county will provide easy access to new markets via a well-planned network of highways and the nearby ports. In addition, both Chesterfield and the Commonwealth of Virginia were very supportive and enthusiastic about adding another high-tech firm to the growing community of technology companies that are successfully operating in this region.