SHAPE CORP. WINS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP AWARD FOR COLLABORATION ON CARBON FIBER BUMPER BEAM

Shape Corp., a tier one automotive supplier was awarded a 2020 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Supplier’s Contribution to Excellence) Innovation Partnership Award in conjunction with General Motors for their collaboration in engineering and manufacturing the automotive industry’s first curved, multi-hollow pultruded carbon fiber bumper beam for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The Innovation Partnership Award was presented virtually to Shape Corp. and General Motors during the 26^th annual PACE awards ceremony held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, recognizing the collaborative effort between General Motors and Shape when defining innovative and cost effective ways to continuously produce the carbon fiber beam for its vehicle application.

“Developing innovations through partnerships is a valued approach to Shape, and the evolution of carbon fiber pultrusion and its application on the Corvette is a prime example of this,” said Mark White, president and chief executive officer of Shape Corp. “It is an honor to be recognized by Automotive News and we thank General Motors for their level of collaboration as we push forward as leaders in multi-material energy management.”

Weighing in at only 2.9 lbs., Shape’s curved carbon fiber pultruded rear bumper generates a 50% mass savings needed to meet the Corvette’s mid-engine weight requirements. Deriving from Shape’s engineering expertise in impact energy management and in-line processing, the beam was developed as the first commercialized application for its advancements in pultruded carbon fiber bumper beams and automotive body components.

The partnership opportunity was well received between GM and Shape. The success and benefits of this innovation reflects GM and Shape’s motivation to continue working closely to identify future applications of the technology in other vehicle platforms.

The 26^th annual Automotive News PACE Awards, honors automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement, and business performance.