How well do you know your suppliers? At a time when many companies want to reduce supply chain risk, it pays to learn more about your partners. For over 30 years, Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) has been known for making “silicones that work”. Our customers like the speed, flexibility, and service that they receive from us, too. Whether you need silicones for EMI RFI shielding, medical devices and equipment, laboratory uses, or military and aerospace applications, you can count on us to deliver.
Here are ten other things you may not know about Specialty Silicone Products.
#1 SSP and HEICO
In November 2018, SSP was acquired by HEICO, a rapidly growing aerospace and electronics company focused on niche markets. As Forbes reported last January, this well-run business has been so successful that its shares are considered the “the hottest stock of the past 30 years.” After SSP was acquired, the transition was so smooth that many of our customers didn’t realize anything had changed. SSP makes silicones in the same location, employs the same team, and offers customers the same great experience.
#2 Revenue and Manufacturing Space
Over the last 10 years, SSP has doubled in size both in terms of revenue and manufacturing space. During this time, we’ve also doubled our employee head count. Today, we are well-positioned to meet not just current demand, but also future growth in key industries.
#3 Trust and Proof
SSP builds business based on trust and has the relationships to prove it. That’s why our customers often include us in meetings and conversations with their own customers. In our industry, that’s the ultimate sign of trust. It’s also a sign of business relationships that are built-to-last and a consultative sales process that’s about finding the right solutions for your specific challenges.
#4 Around the World and in High Places
SSP’s EMI/RFI shielding silicones are used around the world and in high places like atop the Empire State Building. Windows seals fabricated from SSP’s shielding silicones help block electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (EMI) from the antennas and receivers next to this landmark building’s observatory. Without EMI/RFI shielding, visitors and employees couldn’t use their cell phones.
#5 In-House Laboratory Testing
SSP has an in-house testing laboratory for shorter lead times and consistently high-quality products. Instead of sending our silicones to other laboratories, we can usually perform the testing that you need at our facility. Aerospace customers also like how SSP can test each and every batch instead of performing periodic testing just once or twice per year.
#6 In the Air
Silicones from SSP are fabricated into products that are found in thousands of aircraft engines made by GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. In addition to our full line of EMI/RFI silicones, SSP supplies military and aerospace silicones that meet AMS standards and are fully-tested to specifications such as AA-59588A and MIL-DTL-25988C. SSP’s aerospace materials also include fluorosilicones and flame-resistant silicones.
#7 In Outer Space
SSP’s silicones are also used in satellites, a growing market where we continue to make gains each year. Today, SSP offers several EMI elastomers that use optimized formulations to limit outgassing, a condition that can degrade the performance of satellite sensors, electronics, and optics. These materials have been tested independently to ASTM E595, a standard developed by NASA.
#8 Satisfied Employees
At a time when many manufacturers are concerned about finding and retaining skilled labor, SSP wants you to know that 50% of our employees have been with the company for more than five years. Employees like what many call our “family environment” and how everyone at SSP works together as a team. Satisfied employees provide better products and services, so the benefits to our customers are clear.
#9 Equipment Investments
SSP is making significant investments in equipment and has added a new mixing mill, extruding machine, injection molding machine, and automated packaging equipment. With the addition of our fifth mixing mill, we’ve boosted daily production of specialized elastomers such as military and aerospace silicones while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination with other materials, such as FDA/USP Class VI silicones. With the addition of our third extruder, we’re making more EMI/RFI silicones than ever.
#10 Regular Communications
SSP communicates regularly with customers as well as with companies we believe could benefit from our products and materials. That’s why once or twice a month, we publish a technical blog entry and share its contents with you via email. This content skips the sales pitch and brings you in-depth technical data that is relevant to your business and market.
The email blasts that we send for each blog have high open and response rates – more proof that SSP provides the type of solutions that the industry needs. SSP also sends an annual customer survey and uses the feedback that we receive to continuously improve our operations. Throughout the year, we’ll also share what we’re seeing in the industry and let you know which events we plan to attend.
If you would like to join us our emailing list, please contact SSP on-line or email Dominic Testo.
