Over the past year, US-based Kleen-Tex Industries has invested more than £2.5 million pound and initiated a year of change at its plant in Farnworth, Lancashire.
New production machinery, in particular the purchase of a Gerber automatic computer-controlled cutting system, for graphic-inlay mat design was a priority.
The essence of the logo-mat business is to differentiate the ‘identity’ product carrying a company message from the ‘utility’ purely functional mat.
The days of the standard six options, six colours, six sizes, six price points product, are rapidly receding. With the advent of jet-printing technology with an unlimited colour palette, as well as highly durable, permanent colour and opti-twist nylon, the design choices are infinite.
To ensure that the rental industry has a full knowledge of the technology of tufting machinery, compounding nitrile rubber backings and with substrate cloths, Kleen-Tex offers training to the staff of all its customers, and potential customers.
By Easter 2000 it is expected that 500 rental industry people will have been through this educational journey.