The winning part is ValuStair(TM), a 22 ft. by 4 ft. unitary thermoplastic staircase, produced using LRM’s unique patented STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) technology on a production line engineered and built by LRM in 2008.

This novel line produces very large thermoformed parts on 3 to 5 trolleys in a circular track architecture, coating molten polymer directly onto onboard traditional thermoforming molds.  These trolleys are computer controlled, via wireless signal, and all elements required for part molding are onboard.  Pre-manufactured sheets are not required with the STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) process, allowing a significant savings in the production of large heavy-gauge parts, and very high productivity.  STF is also capable of molding a reinforced composite material structure, providing unmatched strength and stiffness.

Bart Berghuis, a Vice President at LRM said, “I was thrilled to accept this prestigious award on behalf of our innovative and growing company.  We’ve been developing STF since 2007 and expanding its part size capability to the current 14 ft. by 30 ft.”

As with all of LRM’s products, no VOCs are emitted during manufacturing and all trim is recycled back into the process on-site.  LRM uses only thermoplastic resins for closed-loop recycling.

LRM Industries International, Inc. was established to commercialize TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming(TM) technology, a radically different and award-winning process technology for producing large, feature-rich, long-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite parts in one fully automated operation.  With the patented TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming(TM) and STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) technologies, LRM enables innovative applications and designs in the use of thermoplastics/composites to produce very large unitary structures where, to-date, it has been viewed as cost prohibitive or lacking in strength and structural integrity.

Concurrently, LRM introduces the new HydroDome(TM) 300, a low profile compliment to the original HydroDome(TM) 610 with the same unique cellular, nesting design.  At less than 23 inches tall, this new chamber is ideal for shallow applications in high ground water areas, while still providing a high chamber capacity of 37.8 cubic feet.

Both the HydroDome(TM) 610 and the new HydroDome(TM) 300 exceeded ASSHTO H-25 load-bearing requirements in testing certified by independent engineering firms.  LRM’s HydroDome(TM) chambers are uniquely manufactured using its proprietary patented STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) technology, and are a reinforced composite material structure, providing unmatched strength and stiffness.

As with all of LRM’s products, no VOCs are emitted during manufacturing and all trim is recycled back into the process on-site.  LRM uses only thermoplastic resins for closed-loop recycling.

LRM Industries International, Inc. was established to commercialize TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming(TM) technology, a radically different and award-winning process technology for producing large, feature-rich, long-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite parts in one fully automated operation.  With the TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming(TM) and the new STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) technologies, LRM enables innovative applications and designs in the use of thermoplastics/composites to produce very large unitary structures where, to-date, it has been viewed as cost prohibitive or lacking in strength and structural integrity.

With a length of 22 feet and width of 4 feet, ValuStair™ is the largest product ever thermoformed in a one-step, continuous operation from virgin thermoplastic pellets to finished product. LRM’s patented STF Sheetless ThermoForming™ technology for the cost effective, continuous production of large, heavy gauge thermoformed products enabled this unique product’s design, as well as its technical and economic viability.

Water Safety Products, Inc. and LRM partnered in the development of this innovative new green building product, which will be marketed exclusively by Water Safety Products to the Waterpark and Theme Park industries. ValuStair™ will be showcased by Water Safety Products in booth # 2736 at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando from November 16-19. Paula Panton, President of Water Safety Products said, “We are thrilled to be launching ValuStair™ at IAAPA along with additional innovative thermoplastic and composite green building products from LRM. This family of products will bring great value to the industry, dramatically reducing installation and maintenance costs, while eliminating corrosion.”

LRM Industries will market ValuStair™ to the industrial and construction markets as a replacement for heavy, high-maintenance, conductive and expensive steel stairways.

Said Jim Callough, CEO of LRM, “We are very excited about our partnership with Water Safety Products for marketing ValuStair™ to the Water Park and Theme Park Industries, where it brings unique value. Their highly respected reputation has been built through exceptional service to this industry for over 20 years. We also look forward to bringing ValuStair™ to the industrial manufacturing and green building industries. As with all of our products, no VOCs are emitted during its manufacture and all trim is recycled back into the process on-site. With no huge ovens required, our STF process is energy efficient compared to conventional thermoforming with pre-formed sheet.”

Water Safety Products, Inc. is an award-winning international supplier of lifeguard uniforms, aquatic rescue equipment and facility safety equipment to the Waterpark, Theme Park and Commercial Pool Industries since 1989. Please visit www.WaterSafety.com.

LRM Industries Introduces ValuDock(TM), A Simple, Green Dock Building Solution

Rockledge, Florida – February 9, 2010. LRM Industries International, Inc. headquartered in Rockledge,Florida, announces the introduction of ValuDock(TM) modular dock panels, the first product in family ofinnovative and environmentally friendly thermoplastic marine dock solutions. LRM will show ValuDock(TM)panels for first time from February 11th through the 15th at The Miami International Boat Show 2010.

The 2 ft. long by 4 ft. wide ValuDock(TM) panels replace treated wood or synthetic lumber board decking usedtoday with a tough, durable panel, which has integrated structural support. ValuDock(TM) panels have a 5 in.deep rib structure underneath, eliminating the need for, and expense of, stringers commonly used by existingflat-panel decking products. Also, the panels can be easily removed for storage during winter months.

The installation of ValuDock(TM) panels is fast and simple. The panels drop onto existing framing joists andare attached with lag screws…that’s it…you now have a beautiful dock that will not rot, splinter or warp. Nomaintenance is required for breakthrough longevity and attractiveness.

The surface of an ValuDock(TM) panel is grained and lightly ridged to provide anti-slip characteristics, andthey are slotted to allow sunlight to pass through to the marine habitat below. This slotting and a slightlycrowned surface keep an ValuDock(TM) dock free of standing water.

Initially offered standard in beige and light gray, with minimum quantity orders ValuDock(TM) panels may becustom-ordered in other pastel colors, which are easy on the bare feet in the hot sun. Accent your environmentwith an aqua, light green or white marine dock, which is uniform in color, attractive and the envy of theneighborhood!

Said Jim Callough, CEO of LRM Industries International, Inc., “Our ValuDock(TM) family of products willleverage our unique, patented TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming(TM) technology. No technology in the worldcan produce large, feature-rich products like TPF can. This is also a ‘green building’ product. At LRM we useno VOC emitting materials in the manufacture of our products and we are closed-loop in terms ofrecyclability….we have no plastic waste and use consumer and industrial recycled content in our products.”

At The Miami International Boat Show in booth #3009, LRM will exhibit the ValuDock(TM) modular dockpanel as the first product in the new family of marine dock solutions.

TSD Twin Sheet Direct(TM) thermoforming uses existing traditional twin sheet thermoforming molds to produce very large dual-layer structural or hollow thermoformed products in a totally automated process. There is one major process difference from existing twin sheet thermoforming…no pre-manufactured thermoplastic sheet is required. The molds are “coated” with molten thermoplastic material directly from extrusion in a profiled lay-down, and then joined to form the product. This means that no ovens are needed, and the process of stretching “softened” thermoplastic sheets inducing stress and thickness non-uniformity is eliminated.

According to Dr. Dale E. Polk, LRM’s Chief Technology Officer, “When we developed STF Sheetless ThermoForming(TM) two years ago, we were surprised to learn that no one had achieved thermoforming using molten plastic from extrusion. This new TSD Twin Sheet Direct(TM) thermoforming is a logical extension of STF and adds a whole new dimension of product possibilities to our innovative new STF Line.”

A wide range of thermoplastic polymers can be used to produce products with TSD Twin Sheet Direct(TM), and of course the process allows on-site, closed loop recycling capability.