Nikola Leads Disruptive Technology For Automotive Industry: Partners With Polyfuze And Wilbert Plastics

Written By: Noël Daigle

The Polyfuze Graphics Team recently had the opportunity to visit with both Nikola Motors at their Headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, and conversely invited Nikola Motors along with Wilbert Plastics to the Polyfuze Graphics facility to investigate a potential supplier partnership between the two companies.

Nikola Motors is a pioneer in electric heavy-duty applications and offers both pure electric and hydrogen electric powertrains to cover class 8 in transportation.

Wilbert Plastics is a Tier 1 supplier as a molder for Nikola Motors.

Nikola Motor’s mission is to “Transform the transportation Industry while improving employees lives and leaving the world a better place.”

The Polyfuze Team confirmed how the Electric/Hydrogen Vehicle Manufacturer is accomplishing just that.

“The vehicles and facility are incredible, and the Nikola Team was so kind. The level of attention to detail that was executed not only in every Nikola vehicle and product, but also within the facility itself, was incredible to witness in person,” Kamla Delahel, Polyfuze Brand Specialist said.

“This facility was completely unique. Expansive and detail oriented, they focus not only on exceeding their customer’s expectations, but have invested in building up a strong company culture. Everything is state of the art. The team is friendly and innovative with high energy. They have big plans despite the current global challenges, which was a great mindset to be around,” said Shane Reeves, also a Polyfuze Graphics Brand Specialist.

Nikola Motors is a “disruptive” force in their industry, and Polyfuze Fusion Labeling Technology can relate. Where Nikola is disrupting the electric/hydrogen vehicle industry with their creative and innovative approach, Polyfuze Fusion Labeling Technology was designed to disrupt the olefinic polymers labeling industry by resolving the permanency struggles that Automotive Manufacturers such as Nikola face when it comes to improving automotive polymer component designs. Polyfuze Graphics uses polymer solutions to manufacture warning, component identification, and brand labels that never need to be replaced while exceeding permanency requirements for low surface energy olefinic polymers.

The Polyfuze Team, comprised of Matt Stevenson, President and CEO, Ed Trueman, Executive Advisor & Strategic Initiatives, Jenn May, Executive Assistant, and Brand Specialists Jason Brownell, Kamla Delahel, and Shane Reeves, had the honor of welcoming Nikola Motors and Wilbert Plastics to their own campus this past week. Touring the Polyfuze Graphics facility in Northern Arizona, was Mike Chaffins, Mike Gallagher, Steve Granger and Patrick Zemites from Nikola, along with Jon Novitt from Wilbert Plastics.

The Polyfuze Team demonstrated the possibilities that can be achieved when disruptive technology companies create partnerships centered on product innovation.

Mike Chaffins of Nikola Motors said, “It was once stated, ‘Fusion will be ready when society needs it.’ It is now time … our society is ready for a technology revolution in the transportation industry. Nikola is revolutionizing and disrupting the status quo with our innovative battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell semi-trucks, light trucks, and off-road vehicles. This journey cannot be experienced alone as the fusion of various technologies and open-minded partners is necessary. We ask our partners to bring us their best technologies so we can integrate into the vehicles our society is ready for … Thank you Polyfuze for answering our call.”

Nikola Motor Company’s goal is to transform and disrupt the transportation industry globally. With evolving technologies, the challenge remains how to stay ahead of the curve. Emerging technologies can change so quickly it is difficult to keep up-technologies of today are already “old” by innovation standards.

Nikola is moving the needle by transforming into OEM + Tier 0.5 relationships whereby traditional discrete “Tier 1” suppliers are engaged jointly to develop vertically integrated supply chain partnerships.

A combination of three companies’ executive leadership teams with Nikola’s Mike Chaffins, Polyfuze’s Matt Stevenson and Jennifer May, and Wilbert Plastic’s Jon Novitt, demonstrate how a partnership can be developed to accomplish Nikola’s goal immediately.

Mike Gallagher states, “Synergies of Polyfuze labels with Wilbert engineered plastics interior and exterior systems, then assembled into Nikola vehicles, means Nikola’s customers in all markets will be ensured to receive the most innovative technologies.”

Jennifer May, Executive Assistant at Polyfuze Graphics added, “The potential of working side by side with Wilbert Plastics and forming a partnership with such a groundbreaking company like Nikola Motors, who are disrupting the Automotive Market just as Polyfuze is changing the face of automotive olefin polymers decorations is the ultimate collaboration! We are so proud to be breaking ground together!”

The Polyfuze Team appreciated the chance to view the facility and meet the faces behind the brand of Nikola. Please visit nikolamotor.com or wilbertplastics.com to learn more about how these manufacturers are working together to leave the world a better place.