Extrusion Specialist Dr. Michael Ziemer
Extrusion Specialist and Compounding Expert Mike Ziemer
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Extrusion Specialist with 20+ years’ experience in technical management, extrusion trouble-shooting, PVC formulations and qualifications, E84 Class A smoke and fire development. Accomplished technologist with doctorate in polymer science and a BS in Chemistry.
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- Development of Class A smoke and fire rated (E84-Steiner Tunnel) materials
- Actively involved in industry groups including PEPA, FGIA and ASTM E05 and ASTM D20
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Manager Material Science Research and Development
Associated Materials Incorporated, (2024 - 2025)
Responsible for all raw material qualifications and formulations in both siding and window lineals. Responsible for evaluating product performance and workability. Developed a Class A vinyl/polyethylene composite which passed Class A smoke and fire rating (E84-Steiner Tunnel), which accounted for over $40MM in sales the first 3 years. Developed testing methods for dark color windows. Developed solution to bead expansion/shrinkage for oversized (over 90”) windows. Actively involved in PEPA, FGIA and ASTM E05 and D20. Developed low heat build solutions for new dark colored siding topcoats.
Research and Development Manager
Associated Materials Incorporated, (2013 - 2024)
Responsible for maintaining, existing formulation, developing new formulations and evaluating new raw materials for fencing, siding and windows. Provided support and helped manage projects to save over 5 million dollars annually. Worked with plant to evaluate and eliminate manufacturing issues. Led project to create a new high temperature siding project. Shared in 2 patents for high tech composite plank to compete with Hardee board.
Senior Materials Engineer
Plygem Siding Group, (2006 - 2009)
Responsible for integration of formulations within Alcoa and Plygem manufacturing facilities. Implementation of new materials for cost savings. Optimization of extrusion conditions for production efficiency. Responsibilities included resource allocation within the formulation group, training of new personnel, and troubleshooting of equipment and product output at manufacturing facilities.
Materials Engineer
Alcoa Home Exteriors, (2005 - 2006)
Responsible for formulation changes and implementation in manufacturing facilities. Lead on development projects such as composite siding and high HDT siding. Responsible for scaling up laboratory innovations to manufacturing sites.
Technical Service Engineer
Georgia Gulf Corporation (2002 - 2005)
Responsible for the refinement of manufacturing parameters. Development of new products to meet customer demands. Technical support in extrusion and injection molding for customers.
Lab Manager
Taber’s Products
Responsible for development of new paint and tire sealant products and refinement of present products. Instituted quality control for present products and brought production up to quality standard. Responsible for rainwater runoff permit and testing. MSDS management and control of incoming raw materials. Implemented feedback system to ensure quality of powder packaging equipment.
EDUCATION
Polymer Science, Ph.D.
University of Southern Mississippi, (1994 - 2000)
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Brigham Young University, (1986 - 1994)
EQUIPMENT PROFICIENCIES
PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
“Steady-State and Time resolved Photophysics of Unphotolyzed and Photolyzed Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) and Dimethylterephthalate” M. D. Ziemer; Y Hu; I. B. Rufus; C. Hoyle,;214th American Chemical Society Meeting, Las Vegas NV, 38(1), 347 (1997).
Photophysics and Photochemistry Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
IUPAC World Polymer Congress, Gold Coast Australia, July (1998).
“Photophysics and Photochemistry of Aromatic Polyesters,” J.L. Gardette; T Grossetete; A. Rivaton; M. D. Ziemer; C. E. Hoyle, Die Makro. Chemie, Submitted.
Senior Manager Material Science Research and Development
Associated Materials Incorporated, (2024 - 2025)
Responsible for all raw material qualifications and formulations in both siding and window lineals. Responsible for evaluating product performance and workability. Developed a Class A vinyl/polyethylene composite which passed Class A smoke and fire rating (E84-Steiner Tunnel), which accounted for over $40MM in sales the first 3 years. Developed testing methods for dark color windows. Developed solution to bead expansion/shrinkage for oversized (over 90”) windows. Actively involved in PEPA, FGIA and ASTM E05 and D20. Developed low heat build solutions for new dark colored siding topcoats.
Research and Development Manager
Associated Materials Incorporated, (2013 - 2024)
Responsible for maintaining, existing formulation, developing new formulations and evaluating new raw materials for fencing, siding and windows. Provided support and helped manage projects to save over 5 million dollars annually. Worked with plant to evaluate and eliminate manufacturing issues. Led project to create a new high temperature siding project. Shared in 2 patents for high tech composite plank to compete with Hardee board.
Senior Materials Engineer
Plygem Siding Group, (2006 - 2009)
Responsible for integration of formulations within Alcoa and Plygem manufacturing facilities. Implementation of new materials for cost savings. Optimization of extrusion conditions for production efficiency. Responsibilities included resource allocation within the formulation group, training of new personnel, and troubleshooting of equipment and product output at manufacturing facilities.
Materials Engineer
Alcoa Home Exteriors, (2005 - 2006)
Responsible for formulation changes and implementation in manufacturing facilities. Lead on development projects such as composite siding and high HDT siding. Responsible for scaling up laboratory innovations to manufacturing sites.
Technical Service Engineer
Georgia Gulf Corporation (2002 - 2005)
Responsible for the refinement of manufacturing parameters. Development of new products to meet customer demands. Technical support in extrusion and injection molding for customers.
Lab Manager
Taber’s Products
Responsible for development of new paint and tire sealant products and refinement of present products. Instituted quality control for present products and brought production up to quality standard. Responsible for rainwater runoff permit and testing. MSDS management and control of incoming raw materials. Implemented feedback system to ensure quality of powder packaging equipment.
EDUCATION
Polymer Science, Ph.D.
University of Southern Mississippi, (1994 - 2000)
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Brigham Young University, (1986 - 1994)
EQUIPMENT PROFICIENCIES
- Engineering
- Testing
- Thermal Analysis
- Rheological Testing
- New Product Development
- Chromatographic Analysis
- Extrusion
- Injection Molding
- Management
- Material Science
- Thermogravimetric Analysis
- HP Liquid Chromatograph
- Spectroscopic Analysis
- Microscopic Analysis
- Stage Gate Process
- Defect Analysis (DFMEA, PFMEA)
- Technical Service
- Process Engineering
- ASTM E05 (Fire Testing)
- Hotbox testing (D-4803)
- ASTM D20 (Plastics Testing)
- Instron Physical
PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
“Steady-State and Time resolved Photophysics of Unphotolyzed and Photolyzed Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) and Dimethylterephthalate” M. D. Ziemer; Y Hu; I. B. Rufus; C. Hoyle,;214th American Chemical Society Meeting, Las Vegas NV, 38(1), 347 (1997).
Photophysics and Photochemistry Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
IUPAC World Polymer Congress, Gold Coast Australia, July (1998).
“Photophysics and Photochemistry of Aromatic Polyesters,” J.L. Gardette; T Grossetete; A. Rivaton; M. D. Ziemer; C. E. Hoyle, Die Makro. Chemie, Submitted.