The manufacturing business Conductive Composites Company has chosen Green River to locate its new manufacturing plant. Currently an agreement with Green River City has been reached to lease the hangar at the Green River airport for the operation.
Remodeling will take place so this can be accomplished. The company is looking at that facility as a temporary solution while a building can be built on the chosen site for the new business. This will enable the company to get to work filling contracts while a permanent location is secured. The business for now will employ 12-18 people. Over the long term when a permanent home is established the business could employ up to 50 workers with excellent wages.
Emery County Economic Development Director Mike McCandless said, “We are getting everything worked out and we are excited about this new business. Right now they are revamping the old building and going through the planning and zoning process. Business recruitment is something often talked about, but very rarely materializes, so we are happy with the addition of Conductive Composites to Green River. The home company is based in Heber City. This is a green business with no emissions and no water needs. Currently they are located next to Wasatch Junior High in Heber City and their wishes were to be out in an open area where they can operate without problems. They also liked the security that rural Utah can offer. They have military contracts. They didn’t want to locate in an area where growth might surround and swallow them like it has in Heber City. They believe Green River is the spot so this won’t happen. They wanted a large piece of property and Green River fits.”
George Hansen is the president of Conductive Composites Company and he explains a little about the business and how it works and the reasons for choosing to locate in Green River. “Composites and coatings are normally poor conductors. Our ability to engineer the electrical conductivity of these normally poor conductors opens entirely new applications for composite materials.
“Although there are many other conductive additives and coatings on the market, the Air Force Research Laboratory has demonstrated unprecedented electromagnetic performance using our materials. The research and development phase of the technology has seen major investment by the Department of Defense. Our technologies are quickly becoming essential to the warfighter. We are extending our work to several prime contractors; including Northrop, Hexcel, ATK, Lockheed, Boeing, Bell SAIC and ITT. We simply cannot manufacture enough material in our laboratory to service these customers.
Conductive Composites Company has developed a suite of electromagnetically active nanomaterials that are used to create electrically conductive composites, coatings, adhesives, elastomers and the like. Our business will continue to manufacture electromagnetic nanomaterials and coatings and engineer the electrical and magnetic properties of polymers, coatings, composites, adhesives, and elastomers. Composite materials are strong and lightweight, but lack conductivity. Conductive composites will be essential in digital communication and warfare.
“Our company was founded in 1995 with 12 employees. We were the winner of the 2005 Office of Secretary of Defense “Defense Acquisition Challenge Grant” for $1.7 million. (Only 26 chosen from 477 applicants). Our 5,000 square foot pilot facility is located in Heber City. We have been the winner of several nanotechnology awards.
“We are electing to build a satellite location at a potential site in Green River, currently three sites are being considered. Our process mandates remoteness, one of Utah’s greatest commodities is remote land.
“Our manufacturing process uses no water, produces no air effluents, nor any solid waste. A good road and adequate three phase power are on site. We would need to extend the road to the proposed building location. A source of propane will be required because natural gas is too far away. A backup source of guaranteed minimal power is required. Water power is contemplated,” said Hansen.
*We are looking at 15,000 square feet of primary manufacturing space.
*Ancillary administrative services building – approx 3,000 square feet.
*Shipping and receiving cross dock on Main street in town.
The company is involved with three separate processes: nanostrands, non woven coating and fiber coating
*Initial payroll: 35 jobs, average $60K/year plus generous benefits.
*50-100 jobs in five to 10 years.
*Tier one jobs: income multiplies through community three-four times.
*World leading materials and research activity.
*Very clean, green industry.
*Highly educated workforce.
*Technology quickly developing as essential for national defense.
*Maintaining global technological superiority.
McCandless said, “This is a great step in the right direction. It takes multiple years to put deals together. We have been working hard for six months with Conductive Composites. There is still a lot of work left to do to get them here permanently. It’s going to take some time and we need to be patient, but this is exciting.”
New business to locate at Green River airport
"Nickle CVD coated fibers are among the products manufactured by Conductive Composites Company."