THE THE SAKONNET RIVER COMPANY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

CARBON FIBER

Carbon fiber is known among designers and manufacturers for its lightness, stiffness, and exceptional strength. It has become the "go-to" material for Formula One autos, bicycles, racing vessels such as those shown above, and the aeronautical industry. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is substantially comprised of carbon fiber.  Over the past decade, carbon fiber has become fashionable in a number of consumer products as well not only because of the light, stiff and strong attributes, but also because it is luxurious, sleek and long-lasting. 

THE LIGHTEST TRAY

For us, the key point is the lightness of the material.  Because weight is such a critical issue for the CLUB Wine Trays, we decided to add a carbon fiber tray to our CLUB line.  At 2.3 ounces, the Carbon Fiber Wine Tray weighs slightly more than half of what our lightest wooden CLUB Wine Tray weighs. This difference can be very important for guests generally, and networking party-goers in particular. If an event goes for two hours, and the average weight of the wine is 8 ounces and the hors d'oeuvres weigh an average 6 ounces, the weight differential represents a material reduction in the burden that must be carried. 

HAND-CRAFTED

While we are experienced craftsmen in wood, we are not specialists in carbon fiber.  In order to produce a carbon fiber tray of equivalent quality to our wooden ones, we turned to a highly respected member of the nautical carbon fiber business, Triton Products of Bristol, RI.  Triton made the molds we use and produces each Tray individually.  We perform the final sandings and finishings. 

UPCYCLING FROM YACHT-BUILDERS

One of the chief innovations Triton brings to Sakonnet is the introduction of the carbon fiber "upcycling" process.  Bristol-based yacht makers cut our trays out of the excess spaces of their sheets of carbon fiber. These spare spaces would otherwise have to be disposed of.  The cutting of Wine Trays by the boat builders saves them the cost of disposal, and eliminates the need for Sakonnet to have additional carbon fiber manufactured.  It also guarantees Sakonnet of obtaining top quality carbon fiber.