Clearview National March 2015 - Issue 160 | Page 74

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS Thermoseal Group, proving the battle was well worth it »»Clearview recently visited, Thermoseal Group to discuss with managing director Gwain Paterson the journey the business had experienced during the last five years since deciding to produce their own warm edge spacer bar range, and how developing futureproof, innovative products, is strengthening the company’s position as a leading IG supplier. Our meeting took place at one of the two Wigan based sites Thermoseal Group owns. The first plays host to the company’s ‘Research and Innovation’ centre, warehouse, distribution and manufacture of the rigid ‘Thermobar’ warm edge spacer bar, the second, a short distance away to a newly fitted production unit, manufacturing ‘Thermoflex’ the businesses latest innovation in warm edge spacer bars. Gwain explained “We were already manufacturing injection moulded IG components at our Birmingham head office when building regulations were revised and ‘Window Efficiency Ratings’ was introduced. “At the time, we were distributing a leading European warm edge spacer, however; as time went on we decided to embark on an extensive research project to manufacture our own range of products “This led to a substantial investment in excess of £5 million, firstly concentrating on our Thermobar warm edge spacer, a rigid spacer system which we manufacture in various widths from 4mm up to 20mm in three colours – black, grey and white. products in order to develop and improve production methods and products further.” “One of our more recent purchases is the Gas Chromatic Mass Spectrometer (GCMS); a highly sophisticated piece of equipment we use to analyse and investigate the chemical matter within our products, allowing us to ensure the quality of the compound is continuously correct.” “As demand grew, so has our technology and capabilities to manufacture new products, developing the Thermoflex elastomeric flexible rubber spacer to our product range.” Gwain continued. The New Thermoflex Warm Edge Spacer Thermoseal Group’s latest introduction ‘Thermoflex’ warm edge spacer bar is a uniquely designed product; made from elastomeric foam rubber compound, offering low thermal conductivity, better UV stability compared to EPDM products and has improved life expectancy when fitted into a sealed unit. Thermoseal Group took the decision to invest in manufacturing a foam spacer system to offer customers a choice of warm edge spacer to suit their production methods – Thermobar (rigid spacer) or Thermoflex (flexible spacer). Thermoseal Group is the only manufacturer of warm edge spacers (both flexible and rigid) to inject mould bespoke fittings in-house. Gwain explains “Feedback from customers led us to research the market to help us create a perfect flexible spacer bar. They advised; quicker production times, an overall increase in the unit performance and an achievement of lower thermal conductivity were important to the production of a sealed unit. Customer feedback has dictated the design and development of both Thermoflex and Thermobar warm edge spacers.” “Our innovation team worked closely with customers and a key UK University to understand the best compounds to use and the correct method of mixing 74 » M AR 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M them. This was extremely time consuming, but an important aspect to the process, enabling us to ensure total control on the quality of the end product.