Signed sealed decisions: Alfas restructuring opens the door to new niche solutions

From March 2005 illbruck Sealant Systems UK Ltd is the new name behind the Alfas, Webbseal, Seal–it and Compriband product ranges. This stems from the acquisition of Alfas Group in July 2003 by illbruck Bau Technik, the German building and construction materials manufacturer.

The association between Alfas Group and illbruck began with a joint-venture in Compriband Limited in 1994. illbruck saw the acquisition of the rest of Alfas Group as a logical step in its plan to grow its international presence and in particular to establish a strong business in the UK. Despite the name change, the familiar brand names will be retained and the ranges enhanced with products from the illbruck portfolio.

Alfas is perhaps best known for its security glazing tapes, impregnated tapes and wet sealants. Over 60 per cent of its business is derived from specialist markets. Products addressing niche as well as more general requirements have been launched on a regular basis for many years, many being innovative to the market sector.

Alfas was founded in Gateshead in 1981 by Gerald Stern and his family. They were one of the very first to introduce non-bitumen based impregnated foam tapes and PU foam gap fillers into the window and construction sector.

Security glazing tape was launched around 1985 – the company claims to produce over 15 million metres per annum. The range of sizes, adhesive and foam types has been expanded to accommodate different window configurations. Alfas SGT simply replaces the original internal gasket, bonding and sealing the glass unit to the frame so that unauthorised removal of the unit from the outside is virtually impossible without breaking the glass. Alfas claims to have over 50 per cent UK market share with its SGT and SGT Super product lines.

Butyl strip and other complementary specialist tapes were added to the range. The fire and intumescent range of sealants was added in 1997 and was specified for the Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong. Alfas Bond FR, a high performance fire rated PU foam, has established itself as a market leader.

The acquisition of Seal Strip in 1998 brought an expansion to the range of wet sealants and adhesives under the generic Webbseal brand and this has since been considerably broadened.

Glasket, a hybrid combination of glazing tape and gasket, was launched in 2001. This uses a patented process to achieve a profiled coloured film product with a foam core, available in a range of colours to match timber and PVC-U frames.

Perimeter Sealing

A high specification window company is now more likely to specify a tape

Alfas, or illbruck as the company is now to be called, offers an extensive range of impregnated foam tapes for perimeter frame sealing. These are highly effective as a single seal as air tightness is becoming ever more rigorous. ‘A high specification window company is now more likely to specify a tape’, notes Peter Thompson, Sales Director of the new TechSpec Division. To cope with the movement common in timber windows, Alfas has developed a ‘one size fits all’ tape to cover gap sizes of up to 40mm and suitable for wind loading on applications up to 20 metres high. Some installers may choose to add a silicone sealant purely for cosmetic reasons.

Major investment in the manufacturing facilities at Alfas’ two sites in the UK has been ongoing resulting in the highly efficient production of over three million cartridges per annum and 30 million metres of tapes.

True to their Philosophy

Accreditations like ISO9002 (held since 1989) and Investors In People are pointers to the thoroughness of in-house systems and ongoing development and innovation under the new pan-European illbruck umbrella.

‘It’s a company that does follow its philosophy’, says Martin Eades, Sales Director of the company’s Trade division. This philosophy has been to develop specific robust solutions offered with extensive technical back up, while offering fast delivery (usually next day) on standard products. This has been achieved while gathering very few complaints along the way.

A feature of the illbruck restructuring is the introduction of product and market managers covering the three main areas of Wet Sealants and Adhesives, Fenestration and General Construction.

Joint international product developments are also promised. The UK operation has access to illbruck’s massive product range and new products. For example, an increased efficiency PU canister foam is one such product now available.

Something of a two-way street is envisaged with illbruck exploiting the potential of the UK produced tape range in new European sales areas and the UK team will find applications for the German parent’s façade sealants. All of which sounds like a happy marriage.