Over the past year it seems that we can’t go a month without receiving an email notifying us of a price increase on our basic commodity materials- Thermoplastics.  Over the past 2-3 years Polypropylene has increased by over 100%.  Then, today, I get another notice that Propylene will increase anther 7-15% in March.

So far this year supplies of the various materials have been reasonably available, but pricing has gone through the roof. I don’t forsee this trend changing, however, if you have a time sensitive project involving thermoplastics you should plan on a few extra weeks just for the acquisition of materials.

I will attempt to provide notice about materials price increases, and availability on this site.  If you have any specific questions please leave me a note and I will do the research for you.

Tom

Welcome to the new Chemwest Blog. When we decided to upgrade the website I requested that a blog be setup to give our customers an easy place to get information.  This blog will attempt to provide general information about our company, our industry, our materials, and other questions that you may have. We shall not use this forum to divulge any confidential customer information, processes, or customer specific information.  This forum exists to help customers with general design, materials, and fabrication related questions.

HISTORY

Let’s start with a little history.  Chemwest was founded in 1992 to provide custom plastics fabrication services to the budding semiconductor industry. I have been fabricating equipment since 1979 when I started as a Facilities Maintenance Technician at Intel Corporation. My duties at Intel included maintaining the facility as well as fabricating equipment, mostly from thermoplastics. Coupled with my US Navy background in electronics and a family business background,  I was well versed to start my own company.

I left Intel during the height of a semiconductor industry downturn to start my plastics fabrication company in Portland, Oregon. It was risky since Intel and Tektronix were the only high tech companies in the area. The original company, Advanced Materials, soon became Chemwest Systems, Inc.  Today the company has a branch office in Austin, Texas and employs nearly 50 people.

Our business still focuses on the Plastics side of manufacturing, but now includes:

-          CNC machining and turning of high tolerance components for OEM manufacturers

-          Mechanical/Electrical design for both standard and custom products

-          In House PLC/PC Software Programming

-          High purity piping systems involving socket fusion, and butt fusion materials

-          High purity plastics fabrication involving Hot Air Welding, and Hot/Cold forming

-          and, Systems Integration involving all manufacturing disciplines mentioned.

If you have a question regarding plastics, chemical resistance, material properties, or any other related issue please post it here and I will get an answer for you.

Industries served include circuit board manufacturers, food service, general manufacturing, glass manufacturing and fabrication, hospitals, medical/biotechnology, and semiconductor.

Our blog is currently under construction. In the meantime, please visit our website, Chemwest.com, for information and inquiries. When you’re ready, we’re here for you.