Ford, Metaldyne, and Universal Ice Blast Enter Into Working Arrangement
KIRKLAND, Wash., April 3 -- Universal Ice Blast, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: UIBI) , announced today that it has entered into a tri-party working arrangement with Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Group (AMTD) and Metaldyne to perform tests on transmission parts from Ford's Van Dyke plant.
Rory Clarke, Chairman and CEO of UIBI notes, "Ford and Metaldyne will use Ice Blast technology to both clean and remove burrs and flashing resulting from the manufacturing processes. This agreement represents another entry point into the Precision Cleaning market, a market that could reach $670 million over the next 10 years. The arrangement should result in sales of equipment this year and additional revenues as we gain experience in this application specific market."
Metaldyne, a $7 billion conglomerate and Tier 1 supplier, has agreed to provide infrastructure and operational support, AMTD will provide robotic and ice blasting equipment, and UIBI will provide technical personnel and expertise to assess and perform the tests.
"I am especially pleased that it is being recognized that our ice blast technology directly addresses the problems of delaminating caused by high pressure water blasting and at the same time delivering a reduction in contamination. With its low pressure yet effective cleaning mechanism we can deliver remedies and cost reductions to manufacturers," says Clarke.
In addition to two specific projects, UIBI will evaluate other opportunities in the deburring/de-flashing/cleaning of products manufactured by Metaldyne which provides 75 percent of the valve bodies to upstream manufacturers.
Universal Ice Blast, Inc. has a patented process known as the Ice Blast Technology. UIBI has positioned the technology into three billion-dollar markets: Precision Cleaning (automated production cleaning/de-burring): Industrial Cleaning (fixed systems parts cleaning, petro-chemical and pulp and paper): and Environmental Cleaning (lead paint and asbestos abatement off steel bridges and building structures). Since 1995, the company has actively engaged in developing its technology for these markets. Substantial testing and field-research with major clients within large markets has now brought the company to full commercialization of its products in these markets.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.