Liquidmetal Technologies Inc (LQMT)

[chipboarder]

I began thinking…”If I were looking for a manufacturing partner for LQMT…what would I consider?” I immediately jumped to the Metal Injection Molding (MIM) industry so I went looking for potential candidates. I ultimately found an outfit called “Form Technologies” in Portland, Oregon. Form Technologies has 33 different manufacturing locations in 22 countries. Their customer list looks like exactly what we are targeting.

They are organized in 3 companies depending upon method of manufacture….OPTIMIM has only one location (Portland) and specializes in MIM applications but there is another of interest….their DYNACAST unit (die casting of specialty small products) with 3 locations in the US…..one of which is in Lake Forest, California. Do you believe in coincidences? These guys have the manufacturing expertise to hit the ground running.

Good news/Bad news…..short learning curve/ protect the technology and keep it from being stolen. Safeguards need to be in place for the relationship to work….control the 106b alloy manufacture, strong contract on who can do what etc. It would probably be good to involve Apple lawyers in the contract while stressing to Form Technology the connection to Apple through Crucible Intellectual Property. They need to respect the boundaries.

It’s an interesting possibility…..also interesting that DYNACAST works with magnesium alloys similar to the materials used in Eontec’s “bone nails” so there is also the possibility of manufacturing those in the US as an alternative to the “made in China” problem.

This is the fun stuff!