Materials company Rogers Corp. will relocate its global headquarters to Chandler, Ariz., in an effort to build upon its presence in the state.
The maker of urethane foams, fluoropolymer laminates and thermoplastic circuit materials also reported its second quarter financials, with sales down 3.4 percent compared to 2015 and net income at $5.4 million, down $8.2 million.
Currently based in Rogers, Conn., the firm said this decision to move to Arizona supports its long-term strategy and is an integral part of its plans for growth and expansion. The company considered characteristics of the Phoenix metropolitan market, including business climate, university system and transportation infrastructure when making its decision.
It added that it will still maintain operations in Connecticut, being part of its community since its founding in 1832. It currently employs several hundred people in the state in manufacturing and research and development positions. Rogers said those roles are not affected by the announcement and its Elastomeric Materials Solutions segment will remain headquartered in Rogers.
The firm's Connectivity Solutions segment is already headquartered in Chandler and has been manufacturing in the area for 50 years, currently employing more than 400 people. The new headquarters will be home to about 70 corporate employees.
“Rogers will always be a place we call home and a strategic element of Rogers Corporation in the years ahead,” said President and CEO Bruce D. Hoechner said. “We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Connecticut communities in which we operate and we will continue to support community services in the area.”
Segment-wise, second quarter results varied. Its Elastomeric Material Solutions — which houses both its urethane foams and silicones business — experienced a 2.7 percent decrease to $45.8 million in the second quarter. Lower demand in general industrial applications, mainly in North America, in addition to decreased demand in the mass transit and consumer applications unfavorably impacted sales. The firm said automotive and portable electronics applications experienced growth, however.
Rogers' Advanced Connectivity Solutions segment reported a sales increase of 1.2 percent to $67.2 million compared to 2015. Growth in high frequency circuit materials used in automotive safety applications and 4G/LTE wireless telecom applications offset lower demand in satellite TV dish applications.
Its Power Electronics Solutions segment held pretty close to 2015 levels at $38.4 percent, decreasing by just $100,000. Weaker demand in mass transit more than offset increased demand in energy efficient motor drives, certain renewable energy and vehicle electrification applications.
The Other Performance Materials segment reported sales of $6.1 million compared to $11.1 million in second quarter of 2015. However, the firm said $4.9 million of the 2015 figure was related to the polyimide and thermoset epoxy laminate product business Rogers divested in the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding that divestiture, sales only decreased by about $100,000.