USA. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA—April 27, 2015. — SEKISUI Polymer Innovations, LLC announced today that the UK’s biggest independent timber & panel products distributor, James Latham is now the exclusive distributor of the entire line of KYDEX® Thermoplastic sheet products in the United Kingdom.

SEKISUI SPI invents and manufactures cutting-edge, proprietary thermoplastic products under the KYDEX® and ALLEN® Thermoplastics brands which are specified into demanding applications such as retail store fixtures, medical furniture, aircraft interior components, diagnostic imaging machines, and mass transit interiors.

KYDEX® Thermoplastics will be distributed on a national basis by James Latham’s wholly owned specialist panel company, Advanced Technical Panels (ATP), the partnership will be managed by Director, David Briggs and overseen by Lathams’ Limited director Andrew Wright.
Ronn Cort, COO & President of SPI explains what this partnership means for SEKISUI SPI, “This relationship is an ideal match for us and a notable opportunity for our company and customers. Culturally our companies share the same values of providing outstanding customer service while supplying superior products. We have seen significant growth for us in the membrane press and store fixture market in the United Kingdom in the last five years. This is the perfect time and opportunity to align ourselves with the premier supplier to this important industry. Most importantly, James Latham has earned their stellar reputation during their hundreds of years of distribution and we’re proud to join that legacy. We look forward to our companies’ mutual success resulting from our partnership.”

Chairman and Managing Director of Lathams Limited, Chris Sutton agrees, “This partnership with SEKISUI Polymer Innovations, LLC underscores our strategic ambition to align ourselves with best-in-class suppliers and I believe our two businesses complement each other really well. James Latham has a long history and expertise in marketing innovative products to the retail, furniture, joinery, and transport sectors in the UK and I am confident that the KYDEX® product line will be a perfect addition to the Advanced Technical Panels’ portfolio, allowing us to capitalise on the potential within our existing customer base as well as opening up opportunities within some new ones.”

About James Latham

Established in 1757, James Latham plc has been importing and distributing timber and wood based panel products to the UK for more than two and a half centuries.

Under the continuing direction of the Latham family, the business – whose current management team includes a number of eighth generation family members - has developed into an industry leader in panel products, hardwood, and hardwood flooring and joinery quality softwood.

Latham’s wide-ranging and ever-expanding portfolio includes an extensive choice of innovative surface solutions for architects and interior designers ranging from veneered, melamine and laminated panels to acrylic solid surface.

The company also offers an extensive range of high performance door blanks, lightweight MFC boards, Birch plywood, plus hardwood and softwood plywood. In addition, as one of the largest distributors of MDF in the UK, stocks are held of standard, light, moisture resistant, F.R and Exterior panels.

Plus, as well as a comprehensive stock of the main temperate and tropical hardwoods from Europe, Africa, North America, and the Far East, James Latham also sources high quality joinery softwoods from North America and Scandinavia.

The group also has a specialist custom-built panel division, Advanced Technical Panels (ATP), which is the UK's leading supplier of pre-finished and overlaid panels as well as certified Birch plywood for commercial vehicles, loading bays, van-linings and walkways.

Through 10 strategically based depots, James Latham has nationwide coverage across the UK, including Scotland.

The business is a member and proud supporter of the Timber Trade Federation and was the first signatory to the Federation’s Responsible Purchasing Policy. The company has a strong environmental policy with all depots being Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified as well as adhering to and complying with, the European Union Timber Regulations (EUTR).

For more information on James Latham visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk