Frequently Asked Questions

What type of Consultancy, Testing & Analytical projects can Smithers Rapra complete?

The projects undertaken by Smithers Rapra cover a massive spectrum of services based on rubber, plastic & other polymers. Details on the range of services available can be obtained by visiting www.rapra.net If your request is complex or you are unable to see the solution to your needs listed please contact Helena Vivash & Emma Cank via info@rapra.net or telephone +44 (0) 1939 252413

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Do I have to be a Rapra Limited member to use Smithers Rapra?

Smithers Rapra is not a membership organisation, any company can request information on the services offered. Smithers Rapra is a commercial organisation & is geared at supporting business's inline with its commercial objectives.

"Rapra Limited" is a not for profit organisation that utilises Smithers Rapra as their service provider. It is not uncommon for regular Smithers Rapra customers to be a member of "Rapra Limited" to benefit from the cost savings membership offers.

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I'm a student can Smithers Rapra help me?

Smithers Rapra is a commercial company providing support to the rubber plastics & other polymer industries & their end users. If you feel that you have an idea or project that might qualify as a funded or research project please contact the enquiry bureau info@rapra.net Smithers Rapra is a business to business supplier.

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Will outsourcing Mechanical Testing & Chemical Analysis to Smithers Rapra be time & cost effective?

From one-off mechanical tests to long term chemical analysis projects, outsourcing your needs to Smithers Rapra's qualified & experienced team of technologists & consultants will allow your staff & in-house resources to be focussed on your core business.

Utilising Smithers Rapra will give you almost immediate access to world leading expertise on Rubber, Plastics & other Polymers. The service offering covers product design & material choice, product failure & material reformulation. Smithers Rapra has extensive analytical chemistry capabilities & mechanical test facilities all operated & managed by qualified personnel.

Outsourcing ensures that you don't need to purchase instrumentation that may be infrequently used, or spend time & money recruiting highly qualified employees.

Smithers Rapra has a continuous investment program to ensure the latest testing & analysis instruments & equipment enable you to benefit from fast, accurate & highly cost-effective analysis, testing & validation without any additional capital or running costs.

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Can Smithers Rapra fund my research?

Smithers Rapra dose not directly fund research or development projects but is an ideal first port of call to discuss the outline of any research. Smithers Rapra has completed dozens of successful research projects as both a member of a consortium & as the managing partner. The in-house project writers are experienced in preparing projects in a format most likely to gain funding from regional, UK & European funding streams.

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Will Smithers Rapra adhere to our in-house quality standards?

Smithers Rapra have been delivering the highest standards in quality & service for 90 years & is UKAS accredited to ISO17025. Pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturers & healthcare companies can be assured that work is completed to cGMP standards.

None of the work currently conducted at Smithers Rapra requires GLP compliance; however application for membership to the UK GLP compliance monitoring programme would be applied for if required. Smithers Rapra has been inspected by the FDA & positive & complimentary feedback was given.

Smithers Rapra complete work to BS, EN, EUROCAE, SAE & MVEE standards.

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Will Smithers Rapra give me completely impartial advice?

Smithers Rapra was founded as a Government funded research organisation in 1919 & has over the years evolved into one of the world's leading independent test houses. As part of the Smithers Group its independency is guaranteed. Smithers Rapra has a pedigree of impartiality that is difficult if not impossible to match, work is only undertaken if the Commercial Director - Dr Diane Baker is confident it can remain impartial, & the work fits the company's objectives & experience.

Smithers Rapra will at all times follow the proposal drawn up for the client. It will adhere strictly to the schedule, which will be agreed & fully documented prior to any work being undertaken. All results produced will be delivered as a factual report.

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Have Smithers Rapra the necessary equipment, staff & knowledge to implement the required Consultancy services?

The Consultancy Centre at Smithers Rapra has an unrivalled depth of experience of Polymers used across a range of rubber & plastic industries & end users. The consultancy team is made up of individuals from academia & industry with a pooled experience of 1,000's of polymer related projects. Many of the technologist & engineers are leaders in their fields with many sitting on regulatory institutions & are also seen as industry experts by their peers.

In the unlikely event that Smithers Rapra does not have the required experience or technical capability, parts of a project maybe contracted to retained consultants. Only consultants that have proven their ability are used. All work follows the strict Smithers Rapra quality procedures & is carefully managed.

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Are Smithers Rapra able to develop & instigate bespoke testing packages?

Smithers Rapra has considerable experience of working with customers to devise a bespoke testing programme to achieve material & product validation where no standard testing method exists. Bespoke testing may be undertaken to validate against a standard or alternatively to validate to a customers own internal standards. Smithers Rapra have worked in partnership with a large number of clients to either develop & validate new materials, products & production methods, or revalidate existing methods for new products

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Will our quality manager be able to inspect & audit Smithers Rapra's facilities?

Steve Vinter is the Operations Director & leads the in-house Quality team. Steve is keen to arrange for the laboratories & facilities to be inspected & audited by prior arrangement before the commencement of or during a project. Smithers Rapra welcomes the opportunity to meet with potential & current customers on site, to demonstrate the comprehensive laboratories & facilities & introduce them to the technologists & consultants involved with their work. To arrange a convenient date for a visit, please contact Steve Vinter svinter@rapra.net.

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Can I be assured that deadlines will be met?

Smithers Rapra has achieved the highest standards of customer service by making its customers their number one priority. As an independent rubber & plastics consultancy company dedicated to chemical analysis, mechanical testing & consultancy assignments focus is maintained on delivering the results of projects within pre-agreed time scales.

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Does Smithers Rapra have the resources, capacity & flexibility to react to changes in customer demands?

As a customer focussed service provider Smithers Rapra understands that the demands on your business can change & will always endeavour to meet your needs, services are tailored to your individual requirements. Laboratory & testing resources can be re-directed to meet changes in customer requirements - subject to availability.

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Will I be given a contact responsible for my project?

Smithers Rapra has developed their business on the strength of the relationships it has with its clients & the industries that they represent. Consultants & analytical staff are committed to offering a personalised service to all clients, with clear & open communication at all times. At the start of the project you will liaise with a consultant or a commercial manager depending on the scope of the project. At anytime during the work an update on timescales & progress can be requested.

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Can I request a meeting to discuss a proposal or project?

The success of your project lies in Smithers Rapra understanding the project objectives & your company. Prior to any major new project or starting work with a new customer it is likely that a Commercial Manager or lead consultant will discuss your objectives in depth. On site meetings at the Shrewsbury or Billingham facilities are ideal to give customers the opportunity to see first hand the resources available. If time constraints prevent a visit, a commercial manager may be able to present the onsite capabilities & discuss your project first hand.

To arrange an appointment email Helena Vivash & Emma Cook at info@rapra.net

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Will all information supplied be kept confidential?

All work done by Smithers Rapra is undertaken on a strictly confidential basis in accordance with the requirements of the Company's UKAS accreditations & in-house quality procedures. Non disclosure agreements are welcome provided they comply with current legislation.

For any specific or individual concerns please email Helena Vivash & Emma Cook info@rapra.net

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Why doesn't Smithers Rapra publish a price list?

Because of the broad spectrum, diversity & depth of services provided by Smithers Rapra a price list would be inaccurate due to its complexity. Many of the services provided are created from a group of smaller service offerings & quite often cost savings are made by the order a project is completed. Quotations are made as clear & as comprehensive as possible & form part of the agreement.

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Smithers Rapra have adopted the policy of providing a written quotation for each enquiry submitted. As part of ISO17025 accreditation there is a requirement to document that there is an agreement between Smithers Rapra & their client. This document covers an outline of the work to be completed, method of completion & likely timescales. Projects will only begin once a purchase order has been received.

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What information do Smithers Rapra require to provide a quotation?

By providing the following information you will help to ensure your quotation arrives promptly & satisfies your needs.

  • Contact name, job title & contact details
  • Company Name & address of company
  • Outline of the work to be completed
  • Standards the work has to be completed to
  • Methods of Testing/Analysis if known
  • Quality system requirements
  • Timescale of completion

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Are there any hidden costs?

There are no hidden costs, all work is conducted inline with the proposal & amendments or changes will only be completed with prior authorisation

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When do I pay for work conducted by Smithers Rapra?

It is Company policy that no work will commence until a purchase order has been provided requesting an invoice on the completion of the project. A staged invoicing procedure may be implemented for larger project values or those that have high initial set up costs.

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Which currencies are accepted by Smithers Rapra?

Smithers Rapra can accept payment in Stirling, Euros or Dollars, if you would like to pay in Euros or Dollars please ask for your quotation to be completed in your chosen currency. Further information can be requested by contacting Helena Vivash & Emma Cook info@rapra.net

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Who do I contact to initiate a project?

The first point of any enquiry will be through the Enquiry Bureau. The enquiry team will gather enough information to direct your request to the consultant or Commercial Manager best able to assist you with your enquiry. Depending on the complexity of your enquiry you may speak directly to the consultant or technologist who will complete the work, or a team of consultants maybe formed to deliver the needs of the larger project.

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What information will I be required to supply?

This list is typical of the information required to provide a quotation:

  • Contact name, job title & contact details
  • Company Name & address of company
  • Work to be completed
  • Standards the work has to be completed to
  • Methods of Testing/Analysis if known
  • Quality system requirements
  • Timescale of completion

It is important to explain the background to the work & why the work is being requested as it may have an impact on the advice provided & on the requirements of the project. The more information offered at the initial point of contact, the more comprehensive & accurate the quotation can be.

It is essential that Smithers Rapra is informed if the work is relating to Patent infringements or insurance Claims so that they can make sure that there is no conflict of interest. Smithers Rapra regularly provides Expert Witness testimony.

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How are projects managed?

After a purchase order has been received the project manager or designated person will oversee all aspects of the work & will be responsible for delivering the final report & conclusions. The project lead will be the point of contact throughout the life of the project. It is their responsibility to ensure that the work is undertaken in a timely manner, to the highest possible standards & in compliance with the Smithers Rapra Quality System.

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Can I obtain a draft report?

Customers wishing to have a draft report or formal reports during the project are requested to outline these needs prior to the final quotation. This will allow the additional administration costs to be accounted for in the quotation.

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Will I be able to visit Smithers Rapra to audit my project being performed?

Smithers Rapra welcome visits to audit any testing or analysis undertaken at any of its laboratories by prior appointment. However it must be stressed that as all work undertaken is handled to respect all clients confidentiality, there may be restricted areas. If you feel it is likely that you will wish to audit your project it would be beneficial if you could give as much notice as possible to your project manager.

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How are projects priced?

All projects are priced based on an assessment of the time required; this time is broken down by the hourly rate of the key personnel involved in the project. The employee time is then added to the laboratory time & any administration time necessary to complete the work.

No work will be completed other than that quoted for without the prior approval of the client & formal acceptance of any additional costs. The quotation structure & in-depth communication prior to commencement of a project ensures additional costs are very unlikely. Costs over & above the quotation are usually in reaction to a client changing their requirements mid project.

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How quickly will the project be undertaken?

Every quotation contains an estimate of the expected completion times of the project. Smithers Rapra has a small amount of flexibility in the delivery of projects. If your need is urgent please stress this at time of quotation & we may be able to adapt timescales to meet your individual needs.

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How are projects reported?

All projects are reported in writing to a depth of information to suit the individual enquiry. The report is emailed in a .pdf format. Hard copy reports are available by prior agreement.

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