The new unit includes 40,000 sq ft of production space, office accommodation and training facilities. Production of Tank Showers and the Company’s Premium Range of Unheated Showers is now centred on the site together with Fabrication, Stores, Dispatch and Service. Research, development and engineering service, together with the manufacture of other products including Decontamination Equipment and rapid deployment Emergency Shelters remains at the original factory.

The increase in production facilities coincides with a major re-organisation of manufacturing and assembly to improve productivity and efficiency leading to shorter lead times from receipt of order to dispatch. Tank Showers, for example, are now built on a production line and move through separate dedicated assembly zones. A Just-in-Time strategy from stores to factory floor ensures the efficient delivery of stock materials and components to the manufacturing and assembly areas. At the heart of production management is a computer system that links all aspects of the manufacturing process from receipt of raw materials to dispatch of finished products. It provides more effective control and better co-ordination of resources.

“We were bursting at the seams in the old factory.” says Managing Director Tony Hughes. “Sales have grown enormously over the years, especially exports. The extra space was essential but to sustain this growth we have to be even more competitive and that means some fundamental changes in the way we run our business. We still have a bit to do but are already seeing the benefits. At the end of the day, it is our aim to supply the safest Safety Showers in the world, both at very competitive prices and on time! “

Palm fitted with an ultra thin nitrile foam coating, the N100 has been designed with a diamond pattern on the palm that gives it exceptional abrasion resistance and grip, the nitrile layer also provides resistance against any polluted pieces being handled.   The fact it has an ultra thin protective coating, combined with the seamless nylon liner also means that N100 Diamond is extremely flexible, offers excellent dexterity and is extremely comfortable, making it ideal for a range of general handling tasks in addition to quality control and inspection roles where there are no liquids involved.   Available in 5 sizes – 7,8,9,10 and 11 and with an EN 388 rating of 4121 demonstrating its high level abrasion resistance and an EN420 score of 5 confirming its excellent dexterity, N100 Diamond is set to be a valuable addition to Marigold Industrial’s world renowned Nitrotough™ family.  For more information on Marigold® Industrial please call 0845 075 3355, email ukenquiries@marigold-industrial.com or visit marigold-industrial.com.

As a result of working closely with customers to continue to understand their needs, Draeger has developed the CPS 7900, a gas-tight chemical protection suit.  Even when being dragged along the ground or any other abrasive surface in a rescue situation, this reusable suit maintains wearer protection from hazardous substances.  Should an outer layer be damaged, the wearer is kept safe by the use of a new tear-proof, five-layer, laminated D-Mex material which protects against chemical effects, bursts of flames and toxic and cryogenic substances.

For additional safety the wearer’s arms remain in the suit sleeves at all times, ready to respond through the inclusion of a pressure gauge holder in the field of view.

Freedom of movement and full awareness of the environment are vital to ensure a quick reaction.  These are assured by the comfortable, ergonomic design and an almost natural field of vision through the anti-fogging visor.  The ability to operate in a broad range of environments is essential; the D-Mex material is safe to use in potentially explosive environments and also offers protection from contact with extreme temperatures as low as -80C.  Faster recovery in man down situations can be aided by the Draeger-Connect system, allowing the rescuer to grip the suit of the wearer.  Hands can also be kept free as this same system can be used to carry tools and equipment into an incident.

Offering a lifetime cost reduction because of the 15-year suit life, further savings in both time and cost can be achieved by reduced stock variables.  For example, correct glove selection and fitting is fast and easy with the quick change patented cuff lock.  An integral height adjuster allows pace length to be adjusted to suit the wearer and means that fewer sizes need to be stocked to suit the requirements of a diverse workforce.  The selection of different boots for different tasks is also made safe and easy by the inclusion of gas-tight socks.

Allowing easy integration with existing equipment, the suit is compatible with other forms of PPE such as helmets and face masks, the suit can also be connected to an external source of air for long duration work.  In addition, when working in hot and humid conditions, the wearer can be supplied with cool air to ensure maximum comfort and performance.

Meeting European and International standards such as EN 943-2 and the SOLAS convention, the Draeger CPS 7900 answers the requirements for emergency teams from the fire and rescue services as well as industry.  Draeger has been developing and producing chemical protection suits for over 50 years and the CPS 7900 is the culmination of this experience in a range which also includes the new lightweight Draeger CPS 5900 for single-exposure applications.

For further information contact Customer Service, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.  Tel: 01670 561200, fax: 01670 356266, www.draeger.com

Latex has traditionally been the material of choice for both medical and industrial disposable gloves due to it’s unrivalled dexterity, however allergies to latex are prevalent amongst both the general population and healthcare professions. New advances in material technology are closing the gap between latex and synthetic materials resulting in excellent quality, allergy-free alternatives.

Supertouch® are now introducing two new products to their disposables range. Vynatrile® gloves are made from a combination of both vinyl and nitrile and offer the advantages of both materials. Vynatrile® gloves offer strength, protection and a snug fit combined with the sensitivity and lower cost offered by their vinyl counterparts, making them perfect for non-sterile medical use.

Flexo® gloves are a synthetic vinyl glove also known as “stretch vinyl”. Again, these gloves bridge the gap between traditional vinyl and latex gloves in order to create a worthy alternative to both latex and nitrile. Whilst still cheaper than nitrile, these Flexo® gloves offer superior fit, sensitivity and tensile strength making them a strong contender for both medical and industrial use.

As both Vynatrile® and Flexo® are made from synthetic materials and are 100% latex-free, they pose no allergy risk. These gloves are the ideal choice for encouraging an allergy-free environment without compromising on quality, comfort or protection.

For more information, please call us on 0845 130 9922 or email sales@supertouch.com.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT – WE’VE GOT 2 STANDS AT THIS YEARS SHOW! COME AND SEE US AT HALL 2, STANDS O85 & P83

It’s been another busy year for all the staff at Alpha Solway, which culminates in the launch of our first ever disposable chemical suit ‘alphachem X’ and the unveiling of our brand new ‘chem cre8’ bespoke design system at this years Safety and Health Expo 2010.

alphachem X – chemical protection with that little Xtra!

alphachem X is a brand new, innovative and affordable range of limited life garments that are manufactured to the highest quality and certified to the latest EN standards. The range offers three separate garments, each designed for varying levels of protection, which provide superior levels of safety and exceptional garment durability. The new improved design also offers enhanced freedom of movement and thereby increased wearer comfort whilst maintaining maximum durability at all times. All three fabric types are colour coded for ease of identification and utilize the latest multi-layer laminate technology. This makes the alphachem X range suitable for a wide variety of applications, including pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, food hygiene, biological, utility and many more. “We are delighted to be launching our first ever disposable chemical range at this years show,” explains Mike Gibbons, Sales Director of Alpha Solway. “We have been searching for suitable fabrics for several years, but until now have never been able to find a range that could offer the quality or durability we demanded. alphachem X is the perfect answer – it gives us a range of disposable chemical garments that are well designed and cost effective and is a welcome addition to the Alpha Solway range of chemical protective clothing!”

chem cre8 – designed by you

chem cre8 is an innovative new system from Alpha Solway that allows the customer to take control of the design of their individual chemical suits. Tony O’Donovan, Clothing Product Manager explains, “With such flexibility, suits can now be created to meet the most exacting of requirements, yet still ensure wearer comfort and maximum safety at all times. Alpha Solway will even confirm the EN Standards to which your specific design will conform.”  “Why not join us on Stand P83 where we will be demonstrating LIVE how the chem cre8 system works. We’ll even create your very own bespoke garments right in front of your eyes!”

ALPHAMESH – continues to deliver

Originally launched in 2008, the ALPHAMESH range includes the ALPHAMESH A-SERIES* and the ALPHAMESH 8000 SERIES. The ALPHAMESH A-SERIES* offers a metal free, mesh shell, fold flat respirator with a preformed nose bridge that is both practical and easy to fit, whilst the ALPHAMESH 8000 SERIES is its moulded equivalent. Now firmly placed within the market, the ALPHAMESH range of masks continues to be a popular and competitive product that offers improved wearer comfort whilst maintaining an excellent fit and exceptional performance even in extreme conditions. Its additional improvements of a wider head strap to allow for a more secure fit and colour co-ordinated adjustable clip to the head strap on the FFP2 model has further enhanced wearer usability and popularity.

FIT 2 FIT – Accredited Fit Test Provider

Having worked closely with the BSIF and HSE over the past 18 months in the development of a suitable accreditation scheme for Face Fit Testing, Alpha Solway proudly continue to be one of the first ‘FIT2FIT – accredited RPE Fit Test Providers’. The scheme confirms the competency of a particular individual to perform face piece fit testing, by ensuring they have passed an industry recognised exam and demonstrated a thorough knowledge of how to fit test in any or all of the four testing method. The accreditation not only shows compliance to current RPE regulations but also helps ensure the health of your employees in the workplace, when considering a suitable fit test provider.