Since 1981, Vinyl Technology has been a leading Southern California manufacturer of high quality custom manufactured textile and polymer film products. Industries served by the firm include government, aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical. Carlos Mollura, SVP, said in an interview that VT has been growing at a 5 to 10 % increase each year over the past 5 years, growth that they are expecting to continue into the future. However, as Mr. Mollura noted, manufacturers in Southern California face significant challenges, including increasing labor overhead costs and volatile prices of raw materials. In order to take on those challenges, Mr. Mollura stated that the firm “counteracts [challenges] by positioning ourselves as the best in the industry,” manufacturing high-end products with the most rigorous quality systems. Other strategies include working with marketers to secure new purchase orders. Earlier this year, VT worked with Aerofied, a strategic sourcing company that links suppliers with purchasers, to get one-on-ones with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation. As a result, VT was included on a solicitation and submitted a successful bid that resulted in a first time purchase order award for development of various components to create one prototype from design for all three variants of the F-35 aircraft.