optimal industrial solutions - business in focus · hearing loss, social isolation, and loss of...
TRANSCRIPT
2
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
3
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
4
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.
Enviro
5
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
PRO
JECT
SU
PPO
RTER
S
www.zedtec.com.au
Flex Shield
40 Sowden Street
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
P: 1300 799 969
www.flexshield.com.au