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Polymer analysis equipment investment implemented
A
Smithers Rapra product story
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team
May 27, 2003
Rapra Technology is investing GBP 600,000 in 'state of the art' polymer analysis equipment resources - the biggest ever made by the consultancy during its 80-year history.
Rapra Technology, Europe's leading polymer research and test house, is investing GBP 600,000 in 'state of the art' polymer analysis equipment resources.
Some GBP 400,000 in capital purchasing has been released for spending at the Shawbury HQ this summer.
The investment is the biggest ever made by the consultancy over the course of its 80-year history.
The new capabilities will strengthen Rapra Technology's position at the forefront of independent polymer analysis in Europe.
Items to be commissioned forthwith include a Tandem Gas Chromatography (GC) time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC-GC-ToF); a Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer Ion Trap (LC-MS-MS) and a mapping infrared microscope.
Up to three new polymer experts will be recruited to Rapra's new polymer analysis team, which will develop and evaluate advanced GC-MS, LC-MS and other spectroscopic methods for the examination and analysis of materials and products.
Rapra Technology Chief Executive Andrew Ward says that the expansion has been enabled by the new structure of the company.
'At the time of the Management Buy Out in July 2002 we promised investment in the fundamentals.
We are delighted to be delivering on that promise now.' Ward adds that 'Rapra's research, technical and analytic strengths underpin all that we do.
It is vital that we invest in them in order to ensure our continuing competitiveness.' Ward also notes that Rapra's recent business results and forecasting has provided a sound rationale for the investment: A general up upturn in demand for Rapra Technology services since the MBO has been encouraging.
Rapra Technology also forecasts that demand for its polymer analysis skills in relatively new areas such as pharmaceuticals and medical device testing is set to rise by over 85% in the next four years.
Large-scale contract research projects for bodies such as the UK's Food Standards Agency have also encouraged the Rapra expansion in the polymer analysis area.
Rapra Technology began a renewed programme of investment in its fundamental capabilities in the summer of 2002 when the company completed a GBP 140,000 investment in new liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) equipment for its Shawbury-based analytical laboratories.
That purchase added to Rapra's existing strengths in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gel permeation and other kinds of chromatography and analysis.
The new purchases will extend the technical capability further.
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