Silicone elastomers specialist Chase-Walton Elastomers Inc (Hudson, Mass/USA) is setting up a European base in the UK, in the Croxley Business Park, Watford. The facility will have on-line contact with the Hudson facility but will be completely self-sufficient. It is planned that it will eventually handle all operations, from design through manufacture to supply and service of customers.

Founded in 1955, Chase-Walton has supplied silicone products to aerospace, transport, food, electronics and other industries and recently has been very successful in developing markets in the European Union. Expertise runs from applications in the Jupiter probe and Space Shuttle to automotive water hose. The new European base will shorten lead times and provide JIT delivery. Founder and owner Jim Walton has re-located to the UK, who will be assisted by director Tim Pryce and consultant Tony Pryce.