Coating Applications
Coated in success
A market-leading producer of specialist coated fabrics; Coating Applications uses rigorous methods to achieve its goal of manufacturing the industry’s highest quality PVC covered products
Originally formed in Yorkshire in 1981, Coating Applications crossed the county border in 2010 and moved to larger premises in Accrington, Lancashire. More recently, the company relocated again, this time moving to a factory in the town of Nelson, East Lancashire. A member of The Allied Textiles Group, Coating Applications now operates from the same site as its sister company, William Reed Weaving, a fellow member of the group. Managing Director Simon McLean suggested that the move to Nelson will benefit the coated fabrics manufacturer now and in the future. “Relocating our PVC coating operations to our Nelson site was to ensure the long-term viability of this part of the business,” he says. “It will allow us to offer a fast, efficient delivery service and shorter lead times.”
With almost 40 years of industry experience behind it, Coating Applications is widely regarded as the UK’s leading PVC fabric coating specialist. Simon suggests that the company’s commitment to progress and development is one of the keys to its long history of success. “We are dedicated to technical innovation and constant improvement,” Simon insists. “Along with our significant expertise, it is part of what has given us a world-wide reputation for delivering high-quality, high-performance products at competitive prices.”
Coating Applications produces a wide range of PVC coated fabrics for various markets, including sports, leisure and technical uses. The products go on to be a part of indoor play areas, bouncy castles, chemical protection suits, camping gear, pipeline repair, and even underground ducting. The company also works with specialist coating technologies, including
waterproofing, flame retardance, anti-static, phthalate-free and chemical resistance. “The specialisms we provide mean that our products can be used in diverse performance-led areas,” Simon states. “Our three coating lines allow us to change from product to product quickly, and operate smaller bespoke runs from as low as 500m. This has given us a significant market advantage because it is something that many of our competitors are not able to do.”
Permalite PVC is one of the popular fabrics that Coating Applications manufactures. Designed to be lightweight and soft, but highly chemical resistant, Permalite is hard-wearing and offers consumers the optimum compromise between comfort and performance. “Permalite PVC fabrics are intended for use in hazardous environments where chemical splash protection is necessary,” Simon declares. “The range of fabrics suit a variety of situations and degrees of protection. Our Permalite products range in weight from 265gsm up to 440gsm, although, as with most of our products, they can be made bespoke to the customer’s requirements.”
The company also produces Caflex and Polyplax products that are ideal for leisure, inflatables and industrial uses. “By using the highest quality UK woven base fabric, either nylon or polyester, along with the best available chemicals, we can create PVC coated fabrics that are widely viewed as the best in the inflatable and soft play market,” Simon reports. “We hold a large stock of Caflex and Polyplax PVC fabrics, in a variety of colours, to ensure quick lead times and fast delivery.”
To encourage synergy in the company’s quest to achieve the very highest standards, all Coating Applications’ research development and quality control facilities are situated under one roof. This allows the company to easily monitor and constantly improve its production processes. “All our business and management practices have been independently tested to ensure that they conform to all British, European and International standards,” Simon proclaims. “This includes the demanding requirements of quality management standard BS EN ISO 9001:2015.”
With its eyes on the future, Coating Applications operates a strict environmental code of conduct. The company utilises a series of energy saving manufacturing systems, which allow it to create fabrics that comply fully with the Environmental Protection Act of 1991, and further its credentials as a modern, environmentally-conscious organisation.
Coating Applications
Services: Manufacturer of specialist coated fabrics