AN innovative approach enables leading foam specialists Technical Foam Services to work with customers across the world.
From across the UK and Europe and on to Taiwan, the industrial rubber and foam conversion services of the Corby-based business are in growing demand. The business, headed up by Duncan Geddes, offers bespoke solutions to clients in a wide range of sectors from acoustic and medical to retail and packaging.
The independently-owned business has high standards which means the team is continually looking for ways to deliver a competitive product while satisfying its environmental specifications.
The confidence in the product starts with the choice of raw materials, which are supplied through long-standing relationships with global foam manufacturers. Precision tooling is engineered for each order before one of the many hundreds of foams is laser cut.
The team includes HSEQ Manager David Hood and Jennifer Smith, responsible for processing and compliance, who keep a vigilant watch on the company’s demanding processes. IS09001 and ISO14001 accreditation increase the pressure on the team to maintain their high standards.
David said: “Our work is bespoke. Clients will ask at the contract tendering stage what processes we have in place to meet their standards and knowing we have BSI accreditation can make all the difference.”
The disposal of the company’s waste products is a daily challenge, but the team are adept at finding solutions, with regular reviews coordinated through the company’s environmental committee.
About 95 per cent of all the raw materials are used to create the product but it is the five per cent that challenges the team to come up with solutions. The company has a Lower Tier waste licence and its recycling decisions include foam off-cuts put to good use by a neighbouring company specialising in carpet underlay on the Earlstrees Industrial Estate.
Innovative solutions are often required. When no takers were found for the ‘dust’ created in the buffing process the engineers revised processes, so the offcuts met recycling criteria. Currently another review under way is looking at energy options so the factory can move away from fossil fuels.
Jennifer said: “It makes sense to look at the whole operation and to make sure that we are doing everything we can to respect the environment.”
To find out more see the website at www.technicalfoamservices.co.uk or call 01536 443000.