Palram Unveils Containment and Bullet Resistant Glazing
November 3, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, has unveiled the PALSHIELD ™ product line of containment and bullet resistant polycarbonate glazing. PALSHIELD is engineered to meet various levels of ballistics and forced entry test standards. Its layered structure and no spall design will withstand both physical attack and multi-shot assault while the abrasion resistant coating ensures long-term clarity. PALSHIELD is also nearly half the weight of the glass equivalent products.
“Palshield is among the best containment grade and bullet resistant products that I have seen in my10 plus years in the security laminate industry,” stated Tim Cronrath, Palram’s Product Manager. “Performance test results for Palshield give us great confidence that Palshield will be a strong competitor to other products currently available in the marketplace.”
PALSHIELD includes a 7 year limited warranty against structural delamination, coating failure, loss of abrasion resistance, yellowing and loss of light transmittance.
PALSHIELD may be used as security glazing in banks, convenience stores, prisons, government facilities, ticket booths, kiosks, and much more.
Palram Hires New Inside Sales Rep for Flat Sheet Market
October 11, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, is pleased to announce the addition of Jimmy Torres to its inside sales team. Torres will be responsible for assisting plastic distributors and fabricators, who are typically IAPD members, relaying pertinent product and market information while placing orders for Palram’s wide range of products. Torres will primarily assist customers in the West Coast and Canada.
Torres has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Kutztown University, and has more than 5 years of experience in customer service. Palram is proud to welcome him to the team!
Palram Hires New Inside Sales Rep
October 11, 2011
Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, is pleased to announce the addition of JR Schwarz to its inside sales team. Schwarz will be responsible for working with distributors and manufacturers in the metal building products and agricultural markets. Working closely with John Biehl, Pro Market Manager, Schwarz will primarily be handling Ag-Tuf™ and Sunsky® / MetalMatch™ inquiries.
Schwarz served four years in the US Army and moved on to acquire more than nine years of experience in various sales and management positions. Palram is proud to welcome him to the team!
Palram Adds Double Film Option for PALIGHT
October 3, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, now produces PALIGHT® Premium foamed PVC sheets with protective film (release liner) on both sides of the product as an optional offering. PALIGHT Premium with double-sided film offers added protection for both sides of the sheet, which helps protect against surface abrasion as it travels through the distribution channels and into the end-user’s printing facility. PALIGHT Premium with double-sided film will be stocked in 3mm and 6mm thicknesses as 4’ x 8’ sheets. Additional thicknesses and sizes may be requested via special order.
Palram will continue to also offer PALIGHT Premium without film and with film on one side (see illustration).
About PALIGHT Premium
With the whitest color available and a consistently smooth surface, PALIGHT Premium foamed PVC sheets have been successfully tested and are regularly used in the demo centers of major digital flatbed printer manufacturers. Easily handled and cut, PALIGHT is ideal for use in advertising signs, displays and much more. The PALIGHT family of products also includes PALIGHT GPS (General Purpose Substrate), and PALIGHT Outdoor, for outdoor signage applications.
Palram Hits a Home Run at IAPD
September 27, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, recently attended the International Association of Plastics Distributors (IAPD) conference and expo in Baltimore, Maryland at the Baltimore Convention Center September 13 th through the 16 th. In addition to attending the conference sessions and exhibiting at the expo, Palram created a baseball theme for the customer-centered activities. Palram rented the Babe Ruth Museum for customer meetings, held a private suite at the Baltimore Orioles game against the Tampa Bay Rays, and brought a wrapped van with a design that meshed Palram values and the baseball theme to transport invitees to and from the meetings and activities (see photo).
“Palram was pleased to bring down its entire IAPD team for this event, enabling face-to-face interaction with our customers and further cementing relationships,” said Mike Swimm, National Accounts Manager at Palram. “Of course, it was also exciting to have such an eye-catching vehicle in front of the host hotel.”
During the expo portion of the event, Palram also sponsored the “Innovative Applications Using UV Flatbed Printing” seminar presented by Tom Giglio, Executive Sales Director of Océ North America. The seminar was well received and Tom Giglio educated the group in a fun and friendly manner.
Palram has long been in support of the IAPD having attended the conference and expo for years.
Palram Announces CCMC Approval
August 2, 2011
Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, announced the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) approval of many Palram products. The CCMC is similar to the International Code Council (ICC) approval in the United States. This is a required approval for sales of construction materials in the Canadian market.
The following Palram products have received approval in Evaluation Report 13450-R:
 Suntuf® Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet- Suntop® Corrugated Foamed Polycarbonate Sheet
- Palruf® Corrugated PVC Sheet
- Palopaque® PVC Sheet
- Sunlite® Multi-Wall Polycarbonate Sheet
- Palsun® Polycarbonate Sheet
The approval may not be listed on the National Research Council Canada’s website yet, as their registry is updated on a quarterly basis. An excerpt from the Evaluation Report 13450-R is as follows:
Suntuf®, Palruf ®, Palopaque®, Sunlite®, Palsun® and Suntop® (polycarbonate and polyvinyl chloride panels)” when used as a canopy covering in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in Section 3 of CCMC Evaluation Report #13450-R, complies with the National Building Code 2010.
Please visit the National Research Council Canada’s website at www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca for more information on the agency and the approval process.
Please visit www.palramamericas.com/ccmc for more information about the products.
About PALRAM Americas
With over 45 years of expertise in the industry, PALRAM has established manufacturing, distribution and sales operations across seven continents and 120 countries around the world. Palram markets its products to the sign and graphics market, as well as to the commercial, industrial, residential, marine, and do-it-yourself construction markets.
Palram Announces New & Improved Expanding Foam Tape
July 11, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, has announced the availability of new and improved expanding foam tape, which is used as joint filler in joints that are subject to movement from thermal expansion and contraction, such as those between metal panels and polycarbonate panels. Palram has partnered with Emseal to offer AST Hi-Acrylic expanding foam tape. The new rolls are 32.8 ft in length, nearly twice the length of the previous offering, and are more durable. The product is available in individual rolls, or in a 32-roll case. AST
Hi-Acrylic expanding foam tape is compatible with all Palram polycarbonate products.
“Palram is pleased to offer a higher quality expanding foam tape for our customers,” stated John Biehl, Pro Market Manager. “This expanding foam tape will not dry out and become hard or brittle, and will not extrude from between joints when squeezed, which is a possibility with caulk or butyl-type tapes. The seals are UV-stable and highly resistant to aging and vermin. “
AST Hi-Acrylicis a self-adhering tape seal made from resilient, open-cell polyurethane foam impregnated with a water-based acrylic modified asphalt emulsion, which is compressed and shipped in reels. Upon installation, the compression strain-energy stored in the rolls exerts continuous backpressure against surfaces being sealed. This pressure, combined with the adhesive nature of the impregnation, assures reliable adhesion to both upper and lower surfaces. As the sealed components contract and expand with seasonal temperature changes, long-term sealing contact with the joint surfaces is maintained.
Palram Announces Build On Photo Contest
July 6, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, has announced the Build On Photo Contest. This contest is open to projects completed within the past two years that have used the Palram products SUNSKY® and / or AG-TUF™ / AG-TUF™ UV. Entries are free and due no later than September 2, 2011. The winner will be announced at Metalcon 2011, Booth #1040 in Atlanta, Georgia. Palram will donate $1,000 to the winner’s choice of trade school, college, or university.
Palram Announces Sustainable Building Products Brochure
June 9, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, created a guide to assist design professionals as they navigate the requirements of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program.
Palram studied the USGBC LEED® 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations (October 2010) and identified specific areas where Palram polycarbonate products may assist in obtaining points for building projects.
“The LEED rating system has become a recognized benchmark for sustainable building practices," stated Stan Schultz, Marketing Director at Palram Americas. “Our goal is to make it easier for architects and engineers to identify Palram products that can assist with achieving energy efficiency and sustainability."
It is important to note that a specific product is not guaranteed to obtain a credit, as products themselves cannot be LEED® certified or approved; only entire projects can achieve this level of distinction. In this approval situation, the sum of whole is greater than the parts. A product itself may not seem to be particularly environmentally friendly, but the way the product is used can elevate it in the green building product standards. It is the overall environmental impact that is important in green building standards.
Palram is pleased to make this latest information available and is committed to the development of energy efficient and environmentally friendly building products.
Palram Announces UL® Listing
April 29, 2011
 Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, has announced that the Palsun SG (Sign Grade) and Palsun CS (Coil Stock) polycarbonate products are now UL® listed and have been placed in the Sign Components Manual (SAM).
The SAM is a listing in a UL maintained file of compliant materials used in the construction of electronic signs, which must bear the UL label. As part of the SAM testing, Palsun SG and Palsun CS, in white and clear color options, were tested to UL 94 5VA. Both products are also listed as “approved for outdoor signs,” as they have each passed 1,000 hours of Xenon Arc testing. Additionally, Palsun SG and Palsun CS currently do not have component support load limitations in the SAM.
Read the entire release here.
The current Palram Americas listing in the Sign Components Manual can be viewed here.
Palram Hires New Inside Sales Rep for IAPD Market
April 14, 2011
Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, is pleased to announce the addition of Sheryl Kalman to the inside sales team. Kalman will consult with plastic distributors and fabricators, who are typically IAPD members, relaying pertinent product and market information while placing orders for Palram’s wide range of products. Kalman will primarily assist customers in the Northeast, the West Coast, and Canada.
Kalman has more than 14 years of experience in customer service and inside sales, with over eight years in supervisory positions. Palram is proud to welcome her to the team!
Palram Hires New Inside Sales Rep for Building Materials Market
April 14, 2011
Palram Americas, a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets, is pleased to announce the addition of Joshua Wentzel to its inside sales team. Wentzel will be responsible for assisting Palram’s private label building products partners. Wentzel will also assist Palram’s network of building products distributors throughout the USA and Canada.
Wentzel achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and has more than seven years of experience in customer service and sales, with over six years in supervisory positions. Palram is proud to welcome him to the team!
Palram Sees the Light. Goes Green to Save Green.
March 18, 2011
 It started with a combined goal at Palram: reduce Palram’s carbon footprint, while also reducing operating expenses. Palram has completed the process of swapping out all its low efficiency metal halide lighting for the higher efficiency T5 lighting. Motion sensing detectors were also installed in some areas for even greater energy usage reductions.
The T5 lighting has a shorter start up time and a 20% longer life than metal halide lighting. The long life of the T5 lighting will allow for reduction in maintenance and lamp replacement costs. The initial start up and restart time of the T5 lighting is less than 1.5 seconds, up to a 160% reduction in start up time and up to a 400% reduction in restart up time versus the metal halide lighting. The faster restart of the T5 lights also adds safety value in the production halls and warehouses during power outages.
The new T5 lighting also produces a higher and more consistent lumen per watt output value versus the metal halide lighting. The T5 lights start bright and stay bright while the metal halides will fade significantly over time. In addition, T5 lights have a greater Color Rendition Index (CRI). The CRI is the ability of a light source to mimic natural light when viewing colors. This helps to reduce the effect of metamerism, specifically illuminant metameric failure, where colors will appear differently in different sources of light. Natural light is the best source for color comparisons. With the addition of the T5 lighting, Palram has increased the production area CRI by 40%, which is excellent news for color production monitoring and observation.
Read entire release...
Palram Announces PALGARD™ Security Glazing
February 23, 2011
 Palram Americas is pleased to announce that Palgard™, a monolithic UV and abrasion resistant polycarbonate sheet, conforms to new forced entry standards of ASTM F1915-05 Security Glazing.
“Having our monolithic sheets tested to an industry recognized standard such as ASTM F1915-05 is just the first step of many new products Palram intends to offer within the security glazing segment,” says Tim Cronrath, Product Manager.
Lightweight and highly durable, Palgard excels in resisting physical attack, vandalism, and graffiti; and provides up to 90% light transmission.
Palgard is available in various thicknesses, ranging from .040” ” to .500”. Specifically, the 3/8” Palgard meets the ASTM F1915-05 level 4 requirements, while the 1/2” Palgard exceeded the minimum requirements for ASTM F1915-05 level 3. For more information on the ASTM standards, click here to visit the ASTM website.
Palgard may be used for security glazing applications in prisons, transaction windows, kiosks, convenience stores and other areas where security is a concern. To learn more, please visit www.PalramAmericas.com/palgard.
Palram Announces Additional Sunsky® Profiles
February 15, 2011
 Palram Americas is pleased to announce the addition of four new polycarbonate profiles. All the new profiles match traditional profiles produced by metal manufacturers and are 25% thicker (1mm) than standard polycarbonate panels. The new products include Sunsky 2.67 SP, Sunsky 2.67 LP, Sunsky 5V, and Sunsky 7.2. These profiles are used in various daylighting solutions including; skylights, sidelights, and roofing either in conjunction with metal materials or alone.
These profiles, previously available in only metal or fiberglass, will expand the possibilities for use in interior and exterior applications, including daylighting options. Unlike fiberglass, polycarbonate will not “bloom” or crack, it will not yellow, and it is extremely durable (hail and impact resistant). All Sunsky profiles exhibit superior UV resistance with the UV inhibitors coextruded into the product. Polycarbonate is the preferred daylighting option for use with metal roof and wall panels.
Click here for the full press release.
Click here to visit the Palram Americas Sunsky page.
Palram Receives Miami Dade County Approvals
January 25, 2011
Palram Americas has announced that their entire line of both flat and corrugated polycarbonate panels have received Miami Dade County Approval under NOA 10-0913.07. The approved products include SUNTUF®, SUNSKY®, DynaGlas®, PALTUF®, and PALSUN®.
This material approval allows for the use of the aforementioned products in applications within Broward and Miami Dade counties where polycarbonate material has been specified. However, each individual use may require separate testing criteria in addition to this approval.
Please click here for a link to all Palram Americas Miami Dade approvals.
Palram Americas Hires New Marketing Specialist
November 29th, 2010
 Palram is pleased to announce the addition of Charlene Riegger to the marketing team. Charlene’s background includes more than seven years in marketing roles; including over three years within the metal building component industry. As the new Marketing Specialist, Charlene will be assisting the current Marketing Director, Stan Schultz, in the marketing efforts to further the Palram brand in the various markets served.
Charlene holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from East Stroudsburg University and has a combined 12 years experience in the Internet, and Manufacturing industries. Palram Americas is pleased to welcome her to the company!
Palram Expands its Sales Team for IAPD
September 21, 2010
 Palram is pleased to announce the addition of Jon Hedges to its sales team. Jon comes to Palram with over 12 years experience in the plastics manufacturing and distribution business. Jon’s responsibilities will be focused on developing products applications and relationships in the western states. Jon will be working with our independent manufacturer’s representatives calling on the IAPD distribution network. Jon’s experience will help stimulate the growth of Palsun Polycarbonate and Palight foam PVC to the market. About PALRAM Americas With over 45 years of expertise in the industry, PALRAM has established manufacturing, distribution and sales operations across seven continents and 120 countries around the world. Palram markets its products to the sign and graphics market, as well as to the commercial, industrial, residential, and do-it-yourself construction markets.
Palram Hires New Market Manager for Pro Markets
June 30, 2010
 PALRAM Americas, one of the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturers of polycarbonate and PVC sheets has hired John C. Biehl as the new Market Manager for the Professional Products Group, which includes the commercial, industrial and agricultural segments. Based out of the North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Kutztown, PA, Mr. Biehl will be working nationwide with Palram’s manufacturer representatives to manage existing Distributors, Buying Groups, OEM’s and Dealer bases. His responsibilities also include expanding Palram’s PRO Market share, new product development and work closely with our Marketing Department to develop new and exciting campaigns.
With over 22 years of experience in the building materials industry, John brings with him a vast knowledge and technical expertise in the roofing and siding business. Some of the previous positions held by Mr. Biehl include Northeast Regional Sales Manager at Polytak Protection Systems, Northeast Territory Manager with James Hardie Building Products and Technical Field Representative for Certainteed Corporation.
Palram Hires New Customer Service Rep for IAPD Markets
June 5, 2010
 PALRAM Americas, one of the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturers of polycarbonate and PVC sheets has hired Casey O’Connell as Inside Sales Representative. O’Connell is responsible for the sales to plastic distributors and fabricators, mostly IAPD members. Her duties will include consulting with customers about Palram’s wide range of products, expediting customer orders, and relaying pertinent product and market information.
Previous positions include Consumer Relations Representative for Just Born, Inc., and Community Manager & Sales Consultant with Hometown America Communities.
Palram Hires New Customer Service Rep for Export Markets
May 15, 2010
 PALRAM Americas, one of the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturers of polycarbonate and PVC sheets has hired Doris Peña as the new Inside Sales Export Representative. Doris will work closely with all of Palram Americas export accounts to ensure they receive their shipments in a timely fashion along with the highest level of customer service
Ms. Peña brings 27 years of Import/Export experience to Palram. Previous positions include Customer Service/Logistics Manager for Ameribrom, Inc., Import Manager for Vannier Tea Company, and Import Traffic Assistant with Kayan International Corporation.
PALCLEAR PVC Panels now Available in Water Clear
06/11/2009
PALCLEAR’s new formulation has less haze and better light transmission that ever before, which opens up new applications to replace acrylic in thin gauge decorative applications. For thicker gauges, PALCLEAR offers great chemical and flammability resistance for industrial applications such as sight windows on chemical storage tanks and shields for chemical processing stations. PALCLEAR can also be used as a substrate for printing applications requiring high chemical resistance. Palight readily accepts most digital and screen printing inks. The clarity of PALCLEAR allows images to be “backside” printed without image distortion. PALCLEAR is available in thicknesses ranging from 1mm (.040”) to ½”. Standard sheet sizes are 48” x 96” and custom sizes are available upon request.
Palram Expands Line of Palight Premium Foamed PVC Sheets
06/11/2009
Palram Americas, manufacturers of Polycarbonate, PVC, and Acrylic sheets, expanded their line of Palight Premium Foamed PVC sheets to include a range of standard in-stock colors. In addition to white and black, Palight is now available in blue, yellow and red. Custom and Pantone® matched colors are available for special runs. Palight is a versatile, flexible, light weight, and durable substrate ideal for use for digital or screen printing. Palight is perfect for aqueous, solvent, and UV flatbed printing. A standard Palight sheet measures 48”x96” with thicknesses ranging between 1 – 32 mm. Special custom run-to-size sheets are available.
AGTUF Top Choice for Top Shop Winner
3/6/2009
The Smith family faced a dilemma that's all too common among growing farms: More acres demanded wider equipment to keep pace with planting and harvest.
They set out to design a agricultural building to suit there needs. AGTUF was an important part of that design.
The result won them the Grand Prize in Agriculture Online's Top Shop Design Contest
Learn more
Palram Updates Global Portfolio Brochure
February 16, 2009
 Around the globe, Palram is supplying the glazing and coverings for some of the world's most notable architectural and construction projects. This recently updated product and project portfolio shows how Palram's product are being used around the world, and where. Projects from the Athens and Beijing Olympics are included. Printed copies available soon. Contact Palram Americas for details.
Download PDF Version of Palram's Project Portfolio (PDF; 3MB)
Palram Americas Hires New IAPD Market Manager
February 3, 2009
PALRAM Americas, one of the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturers of polycarbonate and PVC sheets has hired Mike Swimm as the new IAPD Market Manager at the Kutztown, PA facility. Swimm comes to Palram with over 20 years of plastics experience. As IAPD Market Manager, Mike will be responsible for Palram’s sales to the plastics distribution market segment in the US and Canada and will oversee Palram’s network of factory representatives.
Palram is continuously adding new products to their portfolio and Swimm’s proven ability to balance a full product line and work with distribution partners will naturally be a successful endeavor to the IAPD distribution customer base.
Palram Americas Hires New Trimboard Product Manager
August 7, 2008
PALRAM Americas has hired Mike Morris as the new Trimboard Product Manager at the Kutztown, PA facility. Some of Morris’s duties include working with Distributor sales team to increase market share and maintaining customer relationships, working with Distribution partners such as Trex and Berger Building Products, to develop new products/markets, and generating sales leads for Distribution partners.
Morris was active in the Marine Corps for five years and brings seven years of experience in the Building Products industry. Previous positions include Area Sales Leader at Quality Supply and Corporate Sales Manager at Appleby Windows.
Palram Americas Hires New Technical Support Manager
June 18, 2008
PALRAM Americas has hired Mark Weaver as the new Technical Support Manager at the Kutztown, PA facility. Some of Weaver’s duties include assisting in development of new products, obtaining code compliances for all product lines, supporting the Inside Sales Team with technical inquiries, and overseeing product testing.
Weaver holds Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and brings 15 years of extensive experience in the glass/polycarbonate laminating industry. Previous positions include Production Manager at Insulgard Corporation; Process/Project Manager at GE Plastics – Specialty Film and Sheet; and Design Engineer for North American Specialty Glass.
Weaver is currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University.
The Corporation’s stringent adherence to quality assurance procedures has earned PALRAM the distinction of being the first and only company in the industry to earn ISO 9001:2000 certification.
PALRAM Starts PVC Production in U.S.
August 15, 2007
Palram Americas, one of the leading extruders of Polycarbonate and PVC products, announced its grand opening of Palram Panels Inc, (PPI) at its Kutztown, PA location. The addition brings the total size of the factory to about 250,000 sq. ft. under roof.
Download the complete News Release (PDF)
PALRAM Americas Partners with Trex
November 9, 2007
PALRAM to Supply PVC Trimboard for Trex Trim™ Brand
(Lehigh Valley, PA – November 9 2007) – PALRAM Americas, the world’s largest manufacturer of corrugated polycarbonate products, announces a new agreement to supply cellular PVC Trimboard to the Trex Company.
Download the full press release. (.DOC)
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