PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release August 31, 2007

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

New product for Green Construction to be manufactured
in Delano MN.

   

   Gary Nafstad, formerly with Building Materials, Inc. (BMI), has developed a new product that can be used in “green building” construction. The building that formerly housed BMI, a builder of high-end doors for upscale houses, is being retrofitted to use highly automated, equipment including a center-flow press to make acoustical and decorative ceiling tiles. The new product is primarily ceiling tiles and the name of the new company is Integrated Molecular Material Science or IMMS.

  The ceiling tiles are made of recycled post-industrial wood waste mainly from local sources. They have an ASTM E 84 class A1 fire rating and the materials they are made of do not promote growth of molds or mildew. The finishes are water based with extremely low VOCs and only non-toxic glues and chemicals are used. The ceiling tiles are called Organtex, and they are a molded panel. One line has a core that is colored to match the decorative finish. Another of the tiles IMMS fabricates has a textured look. All of the products have been tested for ASTM ratings on acoustics, strength, and accelerated aging etc.

  Gary May , General Manager, has a background in construction and was one of the owner's representatives for the recent expansion of the Walker Art Center . In that capacity he has worked with acousticians and understands the objectives and acoustical properties of the ceiling tiles. The tiles IMMS fabricates can be made to satisfy several of acoustical and decorative requirements.

  The plant will soon be ready and initially, they will need 8 to 10 workers including four technicians. These include a CNC machining center operator, an experienced finishing line worker (who is familiar with a CEFLA self-contained spray booth), and a sanding line operator, and press operator. The presses IMMS uses were originally designed in Europe and are unique. It will take three to four workers to operate these machines, which use suction cups, roller tables, a tray and molds for the process. Eventually, they anticipate their production plant will need people to specialize in marketing, quality control, and innovation and development of future products.

  The tiles are marketed exclusively through Pinta Acoustics and to date, the Integrated Molecular Material Science products have been installed in commercial and institutional locations within Minnesota and Texas . For example, they have been installed in a prototype retail store where they are being evaluated for use in many other stores. Also, a sizable project was installed in the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood Minnesota . Additionally, orders are anticipated for three more sites two of which are in the state of California.
As their new production line is completed and additional reliable sources for post-industrial waste materials are identified, IMMS anticipates bringing the plant in Delano up to 700,000 square feet of finished product a year.

Recently the plant was visited by Tim Zipoy from Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, and Heidi McManus of North Hennepin Community College to ascertain how they might help IMMS with their employee search and training needs. Wright County welcomes this new innovative company and they are glad IMMS has decided to set up shop in Delano.

  The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.