Press Release:
News for Immediate Release

Pinnacle Awards Announced at COMPOSITES+POLYCON 2009

January 21 ,2009 (Arlington, Va.) - Saluting innovation and creativity in cast polymer design and application, the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) announced the winners of the prestigious Pinnacle Awards at COMPOSITES+POLYCON 2009 during the awards luncheon on January 16, in Tampa, Fla.  APPLAUS Creative Solid Surface, Sherwood, Ore., received Best of Show - People’s Choice Award and Classic Cultured Marble, West Palm Beach, Fla., took home the three other Pinnacle Awards: Most Sustainable Market Growth & Attractiveness; Most Creative Application, and Best Installation.

The APPLAUS product, Flowstone Elite-Quarried Granite solid surface, exemplifies the consumer friendly and design advantages of cast polymer materials. Providing the same elegant and warm look as granite, this product also offers many advantages over natural stone, such as a non-porous, maintenance- and radon-free surface.  The prestigious Best of Show – People’s Choice Award is recognized as the highest cast polymer industry award and is chosen by COMPOSITES & POLYCON conference attendees and a judging panel as the superior product entry.

Classic Cultured Marble received the award for Most Sustainable Market Growth & Attractiveness for its entry Ice Cream Parlor. This award is presented to the entry that demonstrates the potential to significantly increase the use of cast polymer products in existing or developing markets. This custom-made product provides a non-traditional, vibrant atmosphere to match the colorful ice cream that is hand-mixed in a local ice cream parlor. The countertops, front and edging of the counters, small table tops, and even a custom-made vessel bowl, were all made from cast polymer materials.

Most Creative Application was awarded to Classic Cultured Marble for its Swimming Pool Spillway, which demonstrated the most creative application of cast polymer material that is imaginative, innovative or artistic.  Relying on solid surface material, rather than the traditional ceramic tiles or small marble pieces, the company fabricated a beautiful spillway that will hold up well against pool chemicals and not fade. In addition to being durable, a cast polymer spillway can be fabricated in any shape to accommodate the needs of the pool owner, demonstrating yet another advantage over traditional materials.

Classic Cultured Marble, with its Cultured Onyx Bathroom, also received the award for Best Installation. This award recognizes quality installation and innovative applications in the field, honoring creative use of color, design, pattern and real-world application. This large custom installation consisted of a drop-in tub surrounded by bullnose edge deck and vanity tops at different levels, including a windowsill, a shower pan and walls—all made from cast polymer materials.

Each year ACMA’s International Cast Polymers Alliance presents the Pinnacle Awards at COMPOSITES & POLYCON, ACMA’s annual trade show and conference.  The Pinnacle Awards are sponsored by Reichhold.

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With more than 850 member companies, The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) is the world’s largest trade group representing the composites industry. ACMA publishes a monthly magazine, Composites Manufacturing, offers a universal, comprehensive training program for fabricators - Certified Composites Technician - and provides strong, proactive leadership in technical, government and regulatory affairs. In addition, ACMA hosts the largest tradeshow in North America with supplier and fabricator representatives from all market segments. For membership information, call 703-525-0511 or email:Info@acmanet.org. Visit ACMA's website at www.acmanet.org.