McGahee

One of the most critical parts of non slip and safety flooring is the adhesive.

With one of the most critical parts of non slip flooring being the adhesive, it is odd that a non slip flooring company will rarely get asked about what adhesives are utilised on their anti slip flooring but to them, it is something that occupies a great deal of effort. A non slip or safety flooring range has widely disparate uses; everyday the director and his colleagues in sales discover a new application for a product that they have been selling for over 18 years!  As the uses are so varied that subsequently means the adhesive has to adhere securely to a variety of substrates.  Like most chemicals pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) have constantly improved their capabilities, the adhesives we use on our range of non slip flooring is vastly superior to the materials we supplied back in the 1990’s.  Levels of tack, shear and temperature range have improved dramatically, all to the benefit for our customers ensuring total quality.  Please find the most common adhesive questions below.

What PSA does Heskins use?
Heskins generally use modified acrylics (there are a tiny handful of exceptions for specific non slip flooring applications).  They like the all round capabilities that modern modified acrylic PSAs offer, as mentioned previously their product has many varied demands made of it, they appreciate that the modified acrylics allow high tack levels, high shear levels and superb temperature ranges encompassing extreme minus ºC to high ºC.  All the transparent range has a further PSA modification to ensure no UV problems, please enquire for specific grey scale tests for each product if this is a concern.
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The double glazing and conservatory industry has little regulation.

Whilst standards of product are getting better problems still occur with miss selling methods, badly installed products, unfulfilled remedial work and lengthy guarantees which are not honoured (due to traders going out of business or having an unwillingness to make good on their promises).

The general public still have a deep-rooted and long standing distrust of the industry.

Many installers believe that the quality of membership of most Trade Associations and Installer Schemes doesn’t lend itself to the grouping of highly professional businesses who are customer focused.

The lack of consumer protection is considered appalling by many who experience problems.

Most trade associations/ installer schemes do not have any “teeth” when called upon to intervene with complaints between installers and customers.

If the installer has been unprofessional or carried out unsatisfactory work and refuses to co-operate with the customer or trade association there is little any one can do until now.

The only legitimate options left for double  glazing consumers were: (a) The Citizen’s Advice Bureau, (b) Trading Standards or (c) a trip to the local solicitor or county /high court.
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The Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale valley played host to past members of staff during a weekend reunion in Keswick. Over 60 ex staff and several current employees got together to renew friendships and memories.

The reunion attracted past employees from all over the world including Peter Dixon and his wife who travelled especially from Australia for the occasion and stayed on to see friends in the Lake District. Also present was Kurt Hartmann and his wife who travelled from Germany. Kurt was Head Chef at the Lodore Falls Hotel for 27 years and it was he who taught current Head Chef Mike Ward.

The reunion began with afternoon tea at Lake District Hotels ltd Lodore Falls Hotel, followed by an evening trip into Keswick for drinks and a friendly pub catch up.

On Sunday everyone gathered again at the Lodore Falls for Sunday lunch and a group picture before departing home or on holiday.

Organised by Head Chef Mike Ward, Sales Manager Tanya Sentance, and past employee Vikki Brier, they all agreed the effort of finding everyone was worth it. Finding staff was made easier by using social media sites like Facebook and friends reunited. Mike said “Social media has made an impact on being able to keep in close touch with friends across the world. It made finding everyone and keeping them informed so much easier. It was a monumental occasion and great to meet people who worked here years ago.

Mike really enjoyed catching up with his Head Chef mentor and it was especially important that lunch was perfect. Having over 60 people at the event shows how much people fondly remember their time working here at one of the most famous Keswick hotels. It was also nice for our current team to catch up with old friends.”