KENT, WA–(Monday, December 3, 2018) – Shape Technologies Group, Inc. (SHAPE), the world-leading supplier of waterjet technology and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) manufacturing process solutions, an American Industrial Partners (AIP) portfolio company, today announced that they have joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a Tier 1 member. SHAPE will provide a robotic Waterjet Machining (WJM) system to assist the AMRC in development of manufacturing solutions for composites and super-alloy materials. The system is powered by a 6,500 bar HyperJet pump – the most technologically advanced UHP pump available.
“We are excited to be joining a prestigious organization like the AMRC. Waterjet is an excellent solution for materials that are difficult to process using more traditional methods,” said David Savage, chief executive officer of SHAPE. “With our innovative robotic cutting system, we believe we can add significant value to AMRC members and their mission.”
Designed by Aquarese Industries, a Shape Technologies Group company, the WJM is a versatile solution for processing advanced materials, including titanium, superalloys, and composites. The advanced robotic waterjet system allows the AMRC to process material up to 10 times faster than milling, with a tool life of up to 500 times longer.
Keith Ridgway, Executive Dean of the AMRC, said: “Working with SHAPE and Aquarese we are eager to develop innovative methods to improve manufacturing efficiency, cost, and quality for parts that are difficult to machine. With their unique ability to create pressures of up to 6,500 bar we expect significant advancements.”
About AMRC
The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is a world-class centre for research into advanced manufacturing technologies used in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other high-value manufacturing sectors.
The AMRC has a global reputation for helping companies overcome manufacturing problems and is a model for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry worldwide.
Combining state of the art technologies with the AMRC’s expertise in design and prototyping, machining, casting, welding, additive manufacturing, composites, robotics and automation, digital manufacturing and structural testing, has created a manufacturing resource far beyond anything previously available in the UK.www.amrc.co.uk
The AMRC is a member of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, a consortium of leading manufacturing and process research centres, backed by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.
About American Industrial Partners
American Industrial Partners (“AIP”) is an operationally oriented middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in North American-based industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets. The firm has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989. To date, AIP has completed over 65 transactions and currently has more than $3.2 billion of assets under management.
AIP invests in all forms of corporate divestitures, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and going-private transactions of established businesses with revenues of $100 million to $1 billion+. For more information about American Industrial Partners, contact Ben DeRosa, Partner at 212-627-2360, extension 200.
About Shape Technologies Group, Inc.
Shape Technologies Group, Inc. (“SHAPE”) is the world’s leading developer and provider of ultrahigh-pressure process solutions for advanced manufacturing and materials processing applications. SHAPE companies deliver innovative manufacturing process solutions to customers spanning 100 countries and a broad array of industries. SHAPE subsidiaries include KMT Waterjet, Dynamic Robotic Solutions (DRS), H2O Jet, Flow International Corporation, AquaFlow, Tech-Con Automation, Advanced Pressure Systems (APS), ProJet, TOPS, and Aquarese Industries. For more information, visit www.shapetechnologies.com.
About Aquarese Industries, a Shape Technologies Group company
Aquarese, a Shape Technologies Group company, is a leading supplier of innovative advanced manufacturing solutions utilizing ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology. Aquarese main markets are aerospace jet engine industry and industrial gas turbine industry for cutting, rough machining and MRO stripping applications; foundry industry for ceramic shell and core removal, degating & leveling operations; forging industry for deflashing and lubricant stripping, automotive industry for deburring, semiconductor industry for kit cleaning. Aquarese’s team and waterjet focus make the difference, serving customers globally with process R&D, production workshop, turnkey systems & solutions, state-of-the-art customer support. For more information, visit www.aquarese.fr.
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “project,” “will,” “offer,” “continue,” “enhance,” “expand,” “broaden,” “provide,” and similar expressions of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views with respect to future results using currently available information, such as market and industry materials, experts’ reports and opinions, and current financial trends. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are outlined in more detail in the “Risk Factors” sections of SHAPE’s prior reports and in the offering circular provided in connection with the issuance of the notes. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to SHAPE, or persons acting on SHAPE’s behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this announcement. SHAPE assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by federal securities laws.