The move is part of an ongoing strategy for Arlon, one of the leading self-adhesive substrate firms in the United States, to extend its reach into Europe.
"The Arlon range is and additional offer to give our clients more choice, this doesn’t mean we are backing away from the other brands of self-adhesive that we stock," said Spandex UK business manager Phil McMullin. "We see ourselves as a house of brands, and aim to provide the broadest range."
The firm continues to sell 3M, Avery and ImagePerfect products. Arlon’s existing UK dealer William Smith will also continue to sell the firm’s products.
McMullin added that Arlon was an expert in cast vinyls with high conformability ideally suited to complex vehicle wrapping.
The Arlon products Spandex is now stocking includes DPF 4500, a polymeric calendered film for general purpose exterior digital print applications; DPF 8000, with a high-tack adhesive for rough surfaces; DPF 6000XRP, a cast film with Arlon’s X-Scape adhesive for easy application and the Series 2600LX Ultimate PremiumPlus films. The 2600LX films include 40 fancy finishes for car wrapping including gloss, matt, metallic, pearlescent and carbon fibre.
The two firms have worked together for several years in Australia where Spandex already sells Arlon’s products.
"Arlon has made a $2m investment in Europe in the last two years, we have taken the size of the team from 2 to 17 and trebled sales," said Arlon Europe director David Neidell. "We expect to roll out the deal with Spandex to other countries in Europe in the next 24 months."
Other developments of the UK market include the launch of a direct business in Germany within the next two months.
In the US Arlon is investing $10m in upgrading its production facilities.
