Press Release

For Immediate Release

Advanced Flexible Composites, Inc. Acquires Ravel Technology

October 17, 2007--- Advanced Flexible Composites, Inc. (“AFC”) of Lake in the Hills, IL, has announced the acquisition of Ravel Technology of North Adams, MA. Ravel will continue its operations in North Adams under the name AFC Specialty Belting Division. The specialty belting division will continue to provide the complete line of Ravel heat sealers, heat sealing accessories, as well as unique and specialty conveyor belting.

AFC’s founder and CEO William Lewis says:

“AFC is extremely pleased with the opportunity to acquire Ravel Technology. Ravel is the leader in the manufacturing of high temperature industrial heat sealing tools and accessories. Ravel offers high-quality products with the shortest of lead times. AFC welcomes Ravels’ management, associates and customers to the AFC family. This acquisition reinforces AFC’s dedication to its core values: Innovation, Quality and Service.”

Ed Kennedy, partner and President of Ravel Technology, echoed these sentiments, saying:
“Ravels’ acquisition by AFC is the perfect example of synergy, in which the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts. AFC’s sales, marketing, manufacturing, research and development resources, as well as their global partnerships will provide the opportunity to increase Ravels’ market exposure. With these resources Ravel will be in a much better position to exploit our business goals. ”

Chris Lewis AFC’s Vice-President of Strategic Development stated:

“AFC is pleased to add such a highly experienced partner to its organization.  Ravel's highly specialized belt fabrication and belting accessories bring new capabilities to AFC and further enhances our position as the most experienced fabrication company in our industry. The acquisition of Ravel allows for AFC to better leverage our significant conveyor belting expertise and provide us with unique capabilities to greatly expand our engineered belt offering.” 

AFC, founded in 1988, is a family-owned and operated company that has become a world leader in the manufacture of high-performance coated and laminated fabrics. The company designs and manufactures PTFE and silicone coated fabrics and belting, along with an extensive line of pressure sensitive tapes, for use in diverse applications.  Typical applications for its products are found in industries such as, aerospace, flexible packaging, screen printing, textile, polymer manufacturing, food processing, chemical, electronics and communications. .  AFC sells its products through distributors and OEMs under the trade names DuraFab®, DuraFlow®, DuraSil®, DuraStick®, DuraLam® and DuraChef®.

For further information, contact Michael Baker, Director of Marketing at (800) 334-9372.