JUNE 4, 2004

Patrick Noel and Jeff Spooner, of Vermont Industrial Products, have recently gone into business at 156 Acorn Lane, in Colchester, near Green Mountain Power. The lease transaction affords approximately 2,000-square-feet of warehouse and light industrial space. Linda I. Letourneau of Redstone was the listing and leasing broker, representing Catamount East Development Co.

Vermont Industrial Products specializes in mechanical seal repair, in addition to lapping precision machine parts. Both Spooner and Noel have extensive experience in the business of mechanical seal production and sales. Spooner graduated from the University of Vermont in political science. Noel is a graduate of Vermont Technical College in mechanical engineering. The two men worked together at the same mechanical seal manufacturing company in Vermont, Noel for over 12 years as an engineer and in design and application, Spooner for over 7 years as a salesman, and then as manager of the repair department.

Spooner states that there are only about six manufacturers of mechanical seals in the world. Considering that fact, they anticipate having a significant number of repair orders in their future. Their immediate market covers the entire United States and Canada.
Mechanical seals are an integral part of pumps, mixers, agitators and other

industrial equipment. The seals are used in a wide variety of businesses, including waste and wastewater treatment facilities, paper mills, pharmaceutical manufacturing and petrochemical plants.

Spooner explains that their company has the equipment necessary to undertake the lapping of machine parts to certain finishes. It is a technique that cannot be achieved by standard machining lathes and mills, as very flat, almost mirror-like finishes are required. Because of its intricate nature, there are few other companies in Vermont which can accomplish that task.

Vermont Industrial Products’ diversification includes their role as a distributor for other industrial parts, such as cast-iron wear parts and parts for pumps, gaskets, and packings. They also stock refurbished mechanical seals, another aspect Spooner cites as setting them apart from other mechanical seal businesses.

The engineering services aspect of this “mechanical seal repair facility with engineering capabilities” covers the entire mechanical seal industry, from troubleshooting to correcting mechanical seal failures. “If need be,” Spooner explains, “we can actually change the design and make sure it’s going to work”
Vermont Industrial Products may be contacted at 156 Acorn Lane, in Colchester, VT 05446,
at (802) 655-6669, and online, at www.vipsealing.com.