Swedlow in Partnership to License Coating Substance

Swedlow Inc., a Garden Grove coatings manufacturer, and Dow Corning Corp. of Midland, Mich., have formed a partnership to license a proprietary abrasion-resistant coating used primarily in the automotive and aerospace industries, the companies announced Wednesday.

Although Swedlow and Dow Corning have an ongoing business relationship, this is the first partnership set up by the two companies, according to Swedlow officials. Swedlow was the original licensee for Dow Corning’s abrasion-resistant coating technology and currently uses the coating on automotive components, plastic windshields, canopies and aircraft windows.

The new company, SDC Associates, initially will be based in Midland. It has acquired rights from the parent companies to license the coating technology.

“SDC Associates will capitalize on the combined technological expertise and strong market position of its parent companies,” David A. Swedlow, chairman and chief executive of Swedlow Inc., said in a statement.

Robert E. Vidal, Dow’s executive vice president, said Swedlow has developed “considerable applications and material management expertise” with the coatings technology. Swedlow “will contribute significantly to the technology’s commercial value and to the wide range of coating applications where these resins will be used,” Vidal said in a statement.

Dow Corning’s principal business is to develop, manufacture and sell silicones, related specialty chemical products and specialty health products. Dow Corning, Corning Glass Works in Corning, N.Y., reported revenues of $662 million in fiscal 1983.

Swedlow makes windshields, canopies and other transparent products for military and commercial aerospace markets. For the first six months of the current fiscal year, ended Sept. 23, Swedlow reported net income of $769,000 on revenues of $21.6 million, compared with net income of $917,000 on revenues of $20.4 million for the first half of fiscal 1983.