Denver, CO – November 10, 2021 —Oribi Composites, a part of Re:Build Manufacturing, and Packard Performance, announce the launch of the world’s first high-performance off-road UTV wheels made with advanced thermoplastic composite materials.  The new composite UTV wheels are 50% lighter than aluminum yet are able to handle extreme terrain and driving conditions with no compromise to overall strength and toughness.   The new wheels are available to purchase now through Packard Performance (www.packardperformance.com).  
 

For over 13 years, Oribi Composites has been producing high-performance, advanced composite components for a wide variety of markets and applications, including military protective gear, footwear, bike, and outdoor equipment markets.  Oribi combines proprietary processes with aerospace grade composite materials to produce high-performance components for consumer applications, affordably and in high volumes.  “Packard Performance has been an incredibly collaborative partner for Oribi, and we are excited to see these wheels finally enter the market,” says Oribi’s VP Business Development, Matt Christensen.  “Thermoplastic composite materials address the shortcomings of traditional thermoset epoxy materials; they are inherently tougher, can be processed into parts faster, and are recyclable.  Packard Performance now has the unique ability to offer a lightweight wheel, while still addressing durability and toughness for this demanding application.” 
 

Jace Packard, CEO of Packard Performance, is equally enthusiastic about the application and opportunities for structural thermoplastic wheels in the Powersports market.  “We launched our new carbon composite wheels during one of our recent trade shows in California.  The new composite wheels allowed us to drop an average of 25lbs of unsprung weight out of the cars,” says Jace.  “It’s a huge difference which improves speed, responsiveness, and handling during regular driving or racing.  We believe in the very near future, you will need to have composite wheels to win races in powersports.” 
Packard Performance wheels are available in two sizes: 15x6 and 15x11 and are currently available for purchase.  Please contact Packard Performance directly to find an authorized dealer in your area for the latest information, availability, and pricing. 


About Oribi Composites
Oribi Composites’ unique combination of practical, high-speed automation with material science unlocks the full potential of continuous fiber-reinforced composites. Originally limited to niche applications in the aerospace industry, thermoplastic composites offer significant potential to improve the world we live in but have lacked an affordable conversion technology to turn these materials into finished parts, affordably.  Oribi delivers on the potential of these materials by solving that challenge, thereby enabling widespread use of thermoplastic materials, affordably, in all markets.   Oribi is a part of Re:Build Manufacturing.  
www.oribimanufacturing.com


About Re:Build Manufacturing 
Re:Build Manufacturing is dedicated to building a better future for its employees, customers, partners, communities, and shareholders through a new model of industrialization. Re:Build is focused on revitalizing America’s manufacturing base and creating meaningful, sustainable jobs in areas that have been deindustrialized over the past 20-30 years. Re:Build Advanced Materials Group is a leading provider of engineering, development, prototyping, and production of structural components for a wide range of applications and industries.
www.rebuildmanufacturing.com
Media Inquiries: Mike Bain
T:  1-800-991-3420
E:  m.bain@oribicomposites.com 
 

About Packard Performance
Packard is dedicated to building reliable and high-performance products for the Powersports market.  Packard has been in the industry since 2004 and has state-of-the-art design, machining, and fabrication capabilities at their facility in Clearfield, Utah.   Combined with unique knowledge around high-performance off-road wheel design and engineering, Packard is able to produce world-class products at an affordable price.
www.packardperformance.com
Media Inquiries:  Jace Packard
T:  1-801-335-4013 
E: jace@packardperformance.com