What alan harper composites does

Alan Harper Composites Ltd. is a UK-based specialist manufacturer founded in 2010 by Alan Harper, a composites veteran with 50 years of industry experience including prior ownership of Plastech (later Magnum Venus Plastech). The company develops and commercializes fiRST® (Fiber Infusion Reusable Silicone Technology), a reusable silicone membrane system that replaces single-use vacuum bag consumables in open and closed mould composite manufacturing, enabling 600-1,000+ production cycles per membrane and a claimed 99% reduction in consumable waste. The product portfolio includes custom-engineered silicone membranes, the TopGear Silcon 6 silicone spray machine for in-house membrane production, VMS26 platinum cure silicone, Morph/Micromorph integrated resin runners, Silflon coating and Silcoset 153 repair silicones, and ancillaries such as infusion funnels. Recent additions include the Vortex Injection Valve (November 2024), VacStat Vacuum Leak Detector (February 2024), and MR6 Membrane Repair System (July 2025).

Name

alan harper composites

Legal name

Alan Harper Composites Ltd.

Website

https://alanharpercomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alan Harper Composites provides reusable silicone membrane technology, composite supplies, machinery, and training for composite manufacturers in marine, transport, renewable energy, and industrial sectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saltash

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Reusable Silicone Membranes: Custom-made silicone membranes for composite moulding, sold directly to manufacturers and through distributors. Membranes are priced per project based on mould specifications and provide 400-1000+ production cycles.
2. Machines & Equipment: TopGear Silcon 6 silicone spray machines, Vortex Injection Valves, and ancillary equipment for composite manufacturing. Hardware sales with accompanying technical support.
3. Silicone & Additives: VMS26 platinum cure silicone, Silflon coating, Silcoset 153 repair silicone, and moulding consumables for membrane production and maintenance.
4. Training & Technical Support: National and international training options with ongoing support for fiRST® implementation. Includes bespoke project evaluation, feasibility studies, and process optimization consultancy.
5. Franchise & Distribution Licensing: Franchise partnerships in regions including Brazil, with official distributor agreements in Germany, South Africa, Australia, Japan and other territories. Partners receive technology licensing and ongoing technical support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Alan Harper Composites designs, manufactures and supplies the fiRST® (Fiber Infusion Reusable Silicone Technology) system — reusable platinum-cure silicone vacuum membranes and counter-moulds that replace single-use vacuum bags in composite manufacturing. The offering spans custom-made silicone membranes, TopGear Silcon 6 spray machines, VMS26 silicone material, infusion ancillaries, and supporting training and technical services sold to composite manufacturers worldwide.

Product overview

Alan Harper Composites is a specialist silicone closed-mould innovation and production house offering the fiRST® (Fiber Infusion Reusable Silicone Technology) system — a reusable silicone membrane technology for open and closed mould composite manufacturing. The product portfolio centers on the fiRST core system, supported by the TopGear Silcon 6 spray machine for membrane production, VMS26 Shore A Platinum Cure Silicone for membrane material, and Morph/Micromorph resin runners integrated into membranes for controlled resin flow. Consumables include Silflon coating solution and Silcoset 153 repair silicone for membrane maintenance and longevity. Ancillaries encompass infusion funnels (10mm, 16mm HiFlo, 19mm MEGAFLOW sizes), funnel stands, and funnel plugs. Recent innovations include the Vortex Injection Valve (launched November 2024), VacStat Vacuum Leak Detector, and MR6 Membrane Repair System. The company also provides training and technical support services for system implementation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• fiRST®: Fiber Infusion Reusable Silicone Technology - a closed-mould process using silicone membranes as counter-moulds for composite manufacturing.

Products and services

• fiRST® (Fiber Infusion Reusable Silicone Technology) Reusable silicone vacuum membrane system for open and closed mould composite manufacturing, enabling 600+ cycles per membrane and eliminating single-use consumables. Used by composite manufacturers across marine, transport, energy and industrial sectors.
• TopGear Silcon 6 Silicone Spray Machine 1:1 ratio silicone spray machine used by manufacturers to apply and produce the reusable silicone membrane membrane for the fiRST® system.
• VMS26 Shore A Platinum Cure Silicone Two-part addition cure platinum silicone elastomer system (Part A and Part B, 3.5 kg each per square meter) used to manufacture the reusable vacuum membranes at the heart of the fiRST® system.
• Training & Technical Support Services National and international training programmes, bespoke project evaluation, feasibility studies and ongoing technical support services for manufacturers implementing fiRST® technology.
• Vortex Injection Valve Compact injection valve with vortex-style internal flow for closed mould composite manufacturing, priced at £295, requiring less than 100cc of cleaning solvent per cycle.
• VacStat Vacuum Leak Detector Vacuum leak detection device used by composite manufacturers for search and repair missions on vacuum-assisted moulding tooling.
• MR6 Membrane Repair System Silicone membrane repair system designed to fix damage and extend the service life of reusable fiRST® vacuum membranes.
• Silflon Coating Solution Low-cost coating that restores self-releasing properties and extends the life of worn-out reusable silicone membranes by 5+ additional moulding cycles. Available in 125g and 510g sizes.
• Silcoset 153 Repair Silicone Acetoxy RTV-1 silicone used by manufacturers for repairing damage to reusable fiRST® silicone membranes, with gel time of approximately 20 minutes.
• Infusion Funnels Reusable infusion funnels for controlled resin injection in vacuum infusion processes, available in 10mm Small, 16mm HiFlo Small, and 19mm MEGAFLOW Small sizes.
• Morph Resin Runner Integrated flow path system built directly into reusable fiRST® silicone membranes for controlled resin distribution during infusion.
• Micromorph Resin Runner Micro-scale resin runner providing greater efficiency and control for resin flow within reusable silicone membranes during vacuum infusion.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membrane lifespan: 600+ cycles per membrane (standard polyester/vinyl ester), with some clients reporting 800-1000+ cycles
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Pultex GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Official distributor partnership for Germany. Pultex brings comprehensive expertise in liquid thermoset resins, polyurea coatings, PUR foams, adhesives, and dosing/mixing systems. Their focus on efficiency and sustainability aligns with AHC's mission, offering integrated solutions to the German manufacturing market.
• AeronteccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouthern African agent and distributor for Alan Harper Composites. Aerontec designs efficient resin flow paths, builds silicone membranes on-site, and provides ongoing technical service during manufacturing processes. Key partner enabling AHC technology deployment in Africa.
• AHC Brazil (André Antunes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranchise partnership with André Antunes establishing AHC Brazil for South American market. Includes 3D moulding services and full distribution capabilities. André was recognized with 'Personality of the Year' 2024 award at Feiplar for his commitment to promoting reusable technology in the region.
• Tower CompositesstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing client and Closed Mould Alliance partner showcasing GRP production excellence using AHC's reusable silicone technology. Tower Composites has exceeded 1,000 membrane cycles and demonstrates the technology's effectiveness for GRP moulders.
• Ilium CompositesstrategicTechnology or IntegrationClosed Mould Alliance partner specializing in advanced fiberglass reinforcements (FLEXmat and ULTImat series). Their mechanical binding system for fibreglass enhances composite quality and structural integrity, complementing AHC's moulding technology.
• Composites UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association referenced for sustainability data. AHC participates in UK composites industry initiatives and is featured in industry publications and events.
• European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean industry association referenced for end-of-life waste data. AHC's technology aligns with EuCIA sustainability goals for the composites industry.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sika AG: Swiss specialty chemicals company with strong positions in composite bonding, tooling, sealants, and industrial adhesives. Sika serves similar marine, transport, construction, and renewable energy end markets with adjacent product portfolios that could expand into closed mould processing.
• Gurit Holding AG: Swiss supplier of composite materials, tooling, kitted core materials, and structural components serving wind energy, marine, and aerospace markets. They offer complementary materials to AHC's customer base and overlap in wind blade and marine end markets.
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA: German multinational supplying industrial adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings including composite bonding solutions under the Loctite and other brands. They serve overlapping industrial end markets and could expand into composite manufacturing supplies and process technologies.
• Wacker Chemie AG: Major German manufacturer of silicone elastomers, including platinum cure systems used in mould making and industrial applications. Wacker supplies silicone raw materials to industrial users like AHC and could expand downstream into finished membrane products, representing both a potential supplier and competitor.
• Momentive Performance Materials: Global manufacturer of specialty silicones and high-performance materials with broad industrial applications. They serve adjacent silicone product markets to AHC's membranes and could vertically integrate into finished reusable membrane products.
• Composites One: North America's largest distributor of composites materials and supplies. They distribute many of the consumables that fiRST® aims to replace and could expand into reusable alternatives, representing both a potential competitor and a potential distribution partner for AHC in the North American market.

Direct peers

• Composite Integration: UK-based specialist in closed mould systems, resin infusion equipment, and composite manufacturing technology. They compete with AHC in the same niche of closed mould processing systems and serve overlapping customer segments in marine, wind, and transport.
• RTM Systems Ltd: Manufacturer of RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) and Light RTM equipment for composite manufacturers. They directly compete with AHC in the closed mould composite manufacturing equipment space and serve similar end-market customers transitioning from open to closed mould processing.
• Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP): MVP is a leading manufacturer of resin infusion equipment, RTM systems, and closed mould processing machinery. Alan Harper previously founded the predecessor company (Plastech) that became MVP, creating both a personal lineage connection and a direct overlap in composite manufacturing equipment, training, and tooling.
• Airtech Advanced Materials Group: Airtech is the world's largest manufacturer of vacuum bagging films and consumable materials used in composites manufacturing. AHC's fiRST® silicone membranes directly displace Airtech's single-use bagging consumables, making them the primary competitor in the reusable vs disposable membrane choice that composites buyers make.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about alan harper composites