Engineered Bonded Structures & Composites has switched to Chemique Adhesives’ Solfre1 to manufacture custom motorhomes for federal agencies and humanitarian organizations, improving quality and production time.
Solfre1 is a moisture-cure, solvent-free polyurethane adhesive suitable for a range of applications. Available in a variety of standard formulas and open times to suit many different production requirements, Solfre1 is a cold-press adhesive with no special storage requirements.
Engineered Bonded Structures & Composites manufactures prefabricated laminated panels for highly specialized and regulated motorhomes for the federal government, humanitarian organizations, and health care.
“The reason we switched to Chemique Adhesives is we were looking for the best product for what we do,” said Ben Pearson, whose company has been manufacturing motorhomes for 23 years. “These motor homes contain many specialty applications, and undergo thorough testing and regulation so quality over speed matters.”
The company had been using another product, but that manufacturer was purchased by a larger firm and was no longer able to meet its needs. Chemique is a privately held company, with an emphasis on customized solutions for a variety of industries, including commercial manufacturing, transportation and portable structures.
Pearson said while the industry trend is to use fast adhesives such as reactive hot melts, he’s found that they lack the temperature range his products require.
“We have to have a sizable open time to get everything into the presses, as we’re building parts up to 53 feet long,” Pearson said. “We also wanted a faster close time and the previous product took four hours. With Chemique, we’re back to two hours, which enables us to keep up with our high volume of business.”
Engineered Bonded Structures & Composites is based in Elkhart, Ind., home to two counties where 80 percent of the industry’s motorhomes are manufactured, Pearson said. The area has produced more than 400,000 motorhomes and trailers.