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In a work environment, reducing noise levels is a priority to prevent distraction and increase safety. For the last decade Flexshield has provided quality noise control and soundproofing products and services as well as a comprehensive range of safety and operational solutions, and has become a market leader in its field.

Optimal Industrial Noise Control

Solutions

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Written by Leon Bracey

Since 2003 Flexshield has been at the forefront of indus-

trial soundproofing in Australia. The company offers

an ever-growing list of clients an extensive range of

innovative soundproofing products along with high-quality

service and support sustained by unmatched knowledge and

experience. Flexshield has grown to become a leading manu-

facturer, supplier and installer of noise control and soundproof-

ing products, acoustic enclosures, attenuators, baffle silenc-

ers, modular acoustic panel, flexible noise control barriers and

more.

Flexshield also manufactures, supplies and installs an array of

safety and operational solutions such as flexible PVC curtains,

dust and fume control products and complete welding bay fit-

outs. An example of Flexshield’s ingenuity is its manufacturing

of the world’s strongest welding screen, WELDFLEX, as well as

the SONICLEAR strip and swing doors. Other products designed

to promote workplace health and safety include bird and insect

screens, clean rooms, control rooms, grinding screens, weather

protection, welding tents and mats and fireproof doors.

Initially launched as a family business by Mark Evenden and his

sons Ronnie and Michael, Flexshield began with government

projects and gained momentum, branching out to include

additional industries including manufacturing, construction,

mining, oil & gas, water treatment, power generation, educa-

tion and trade training centres. The company services all of

Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific.

“As Australia becomes more densely populated, there will be

more of a need for noise control,” General Manager Ronnie

Evenden says. “We are there to deal with any noise related

issues. We can conduct noise level readings, assess issues,

discern the causes and provide a solution.”

Flexshield’s products are backed with comprehensive National

Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited test results

to ensure peace of mind for its clients. “The company serves

all of Australia either directly, or through a team of authorised

representatives,” says Evenden. Its products are designed and

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Flexshield has also developed an acoustic foam called Son-

icsorber. The sound absorption polyester foam consists of

acoustically tuned, fireproof, sound-absorbing facing and

environmentally friendly acoustic polyester-wool. The facing is

fireproof and has a high temperature resistance, up to 550ºC.

Sonicsorber was designed because traditional fireproofing

materials have little to no acoustic properties. In contrast, Son-

icsorber has been engineered to maximise sound absorption

at low to mid frequencies. The foam is also designed to be

exceedingly durable in both hot and humid conditions, giving

the product a long service life for clients compared to conven-

tional glassfibre-based and non-hydrolysis-resistant acoustic

foam materials. Sonicsorber can be used for applications such

as generator enclosures, marine engine rooms, acoustic lining

for HVAC ductwork, acoustic infill for silencers and louvres, and

in commercial and industrial buildings such as factories, sports

halls, pump rooms, and control rooms.

“The company’s engineering expertise has led it to develop

a number of innovative soundproofing products.”

Flexshield offers a complete range of flexible curtains, welding

screens, flexible screens used for factory zoning and flexible

swing doors. These flexible screens and doors are an excellent

and cost effective choice for controlling workshop and environ-

mental hazards, and Flexshield’s clients use them for the control

of welding flash, dust, fumes, noise, weather protection and

much more. Customisable to suit the diverse size requirements

of all clients, these products provide a complete flexible zoning

solution all the way from consultation and design through to

manufacture, supply and installation.

Similarly, WELDFLEX sheet curtains are designed to serve as an

industrial strength replacement to the traditional welding sheet

curtains often used for welding protection. WELDFLEX curtains

help to protect both bystanders and welders from the harmful

radiation emitted during the welding process, and WELDFLEX

can be utilised in a number of industrial applications, includ-

ing engineering, workshops, welding bays, mining, oil and gas,

manufacturing, and trade training centres.

A notable acoustic curtain project of Flexshield’s involved the

design and manufacture of a simple acoustic enclosure for an

air compressor at a manufacturing company. While the com-

pressor wasn’t actually operating above the permitted noise

levels, it was causing high levels of stress and discomfort for

workers, and answering phones was nearly impossible. With

developed according to clients’ individual and specific require-

ments and are also available in kit form for easy installation and

cost-efficiency.

“Flexshield’s products are backed with comprehensive NATA

accredited test results to ensure peace of mind for its clients.”

Evenden believes that it is the company’s principles and stan-

dards that have contributed to its rapid growth over the past

decade. “We are a ‘do what we say, do what we’re going to

do’ type of company,” he shares. “Not all projects are going

to be the same, but we roll up our sleeves and work toward a

win-win situation. Our clients respect that. All our products are

tested and certified, and this gives our clients faith that they can

believe what we say in our proposals and have confidence that

we will meet our promises.”

Industrial noise control is the backbone of Flexshield’s product

line. As Australia’s leading manufacturer, supplier and installer

for industrial noise control and environmental noise control

products, the company’s engineering expertise in this area

has led it to develop a number of innovative soundproof-

ing products. In a workplace, such products can help reduce

hearing loss, social isolation, and loss of quality of life, as well

as absenteeism and decreased productivity – ultimately, they

can even lower the chance of workplace injuries and accidents.

An example of noise control products are Flexshield’s acoustic

/ noise control walls to effectively divide factories and work-

places, creating “quiet areas” between manufacturing / pro-

duction areas and, for instance, an office or dispatch area. Such

products can be used in mining camps, where a soundproof

wall is strategically placed between the living quarters and the

noise source, such as a power station. Noise control can also

help prevent excess noise disturbing neighbouring residents

and animals, and enables companies to operate with minimal

impact to their surroundings. The barriers can be designed to

reduce traffic noise in built up areas.

An exciting upcoming development for Flexshield is the use of

flexible temporary barriers for construction sites. Evenden says

the company is presently working on the research and devel-

opment to get them operating on various sites. They are avail-

able up to two metres high and are engineered to meet wind

load and specs up to four metres high. “It’s an exciting project

for us at the moment,” Evenden says.

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Flexshield’s acoustic enclosure, noise levels were brought down

so low that the air compressor was inaudible.

“Flexshield’s flexible screens and doors are an excellent and cost effective choice for controlling workshop and environmental

hazards.”

Even with its diverse array of high quality products, Evenden

says that Flexshield does face a few challenges due to global

competition. “There is an influx of cheaper imported materials;

the whole world is contracting,” he says. “There have been times

when we’ve lost projects to offshore competitors because the

internet brings people closer. We’re striving to bring the quality

of product up so it is market leading, while maintaining its cost-

effectiveness.”

In spite of these challenges, Evenden feels that Flexshield is in a

good position due to its strong relationships and the quality of

its product line. “We work with suppliers and clients on where

they need to be and where we want to be. If an issue needs

to be resolved urgently Flexshield can meet the demand and

sometimes solve the problem within hours. Working with sup-

pliers is important, as well as the relationships between us and

our clients.”

“Noise control solutions can help prevent excess noise disturbing

neighbouring residents and animals, and enables companies

to operate with minimal impact to their surroundings.”

Beyond Australia, Flexshield is now expanding into New

Zealand. The company recently opened an office in Auckland

and has begun to make inroads. “Right now, New Zealand’s

economy is exceptionally strong and we have high expecta-

tions in that market,” Evenden shares.

Since 2003, Flexshield has offered a wide range of noise control

products that serve a number of needs. Evenden feels that

the growth and success of the company has been fuelled by

a simple motto: “Whatever your noise control issue, we have a

solution.”

Enviro

Level 11, Suite 11.01, 60 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW 2000, AustraliaPhone: 02 8412 8170 | ABN 93 143 238 126

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www.zedtec.com.au

Flex Shield

40 Sowden Street

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

P: 1300 799 969

www.flexshield.com.au