A new custom compounder of engineered plastics has opened in Huntington Beach, Calif. Perspec Engineered Plastics Inc. provides thermoplastic molders with specialty compounds including fiber-and mineral-filled materials, and materials with additives such as antioxidants, lubricants and fire retardants. Perspec also offers pre-colors, dry colorants and color concentrates, and has a complete color laboratory, headed by Kathy Bebenita, for color-matching services.
Partners Rick Root, who has more than 15 years of experience in plastics compounding, and Rick Needleman, with 20 years in materials distribution, teamed up to form Perspec.
``Our mission is to be responsive to our customers' needs, and to provide them with a product that meets their requirements exactly and is cost-competitive, and delivered on time,'' Root said.
Root said he decided to open his own business at the request of processors in the area. While waiting for one year, in accordance with a noncompete agreement with his former employer, Root put together a business plan and got the financing together. He believes there is room in the in-dustry for a compounder that serves small-lot customers while also offering large-lot capabilities.
The leased 10,000-square-foot facility is equipped with twin extruders, designed to handle nearly every combination of resin and filler required by processors. CDL Technology Inc. of Addison, Ill., designed the extruder and downstream equipment, with additional screw geometry design provided by Rauwendaal Extru-sion Engineering Inc.
The company has eight em-ployees, and plans to serve the Western region of the country.
