Applied Material Solutions Inc. is building its antifoaming and defoaming products portfolio, acquiring two companies this year and planning for a bigger plant next year.
Earlier this year, Elkhorn, Wis.-based AMS added Performance Product Inc. of Mundelein, Ill., and Nottingham Co., PPI's chemical division in Atlanta. Details was not disclosed.
The two companies have been working with Trans-Chemco Inc. as divisions of Applied Material Solutions. Overall, the combination has increased its workforce from 25 to 74.
"This gives us better control of our costs and a more complete portfolio," said Nikki Rebernak, director of sales and marketing for AMS, in a phone interview.
The company retained management and all employees at both companies and are looking to expand next year, purchasing a building in Burlington, Wis., that is about 35 miles away from Mundelein.
Rebernak said that PPI building lacked room to grow, so the company is preparing the Burlington site for use. She said that all but two employees said that they would make the move. The new building covers 123,000 square feet.
When the move is completed, AMS will have three sites in Wisconsin — Elkhorn, Bristol and Burlington — as well as the Nottingham plant in Atlanta.
The addition of Nottingham helps vertically integrate AMS, providing the ability to control the use of treated silica and to customize its products. It offers more research and development opportunities, as it serves many different markets, ranging from plastics, paints, inks, adhesives, cosmetics and food.
Both Nottingham and PPI do toll services as well.