Overview

Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd is better known as Smithers Rapra, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Smithers Group & is recognised as a World leading independent rubber, plastic and composite consultants. Smithers Rapra provides a comprehensive Independent service covering, testing, analysis, processing & research for the polymer industry & industries using plastics & rubber in any component, product or production process.

Working for industry

Smithers Rapra supports a varied selection of industries requiring Polymer specialisation. End-user industries include: automotive, Industrial, consumer, medical & transport. Smithers Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise & facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. The companies core capabilities lie in the skills & experience of its people, many of whom are recognised & accepted as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services, specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects. Assistance in obtaining funding from the European Community & UK government &/or industry, to progress research & development of polymer technology & applications can be provided.

Testing, analysis & calibration services

The physical testing, analytical & chemical laboratories at Smithers Rapra are UKAS accredited & can provide UKAS certification. Testing is also instigated to a range of national & international standards & those tailored to an individual company’s requirement. A variety of physical tests assess material properties against abrasion, fatigue, impact & stress & their performance in products in particular conditions. Smithers Rapra’s analytical & chemical laboratories undertake a variety of tasks including material identification & characterisation using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic & thermal techniques.

Consultancy services

Smithers Rapra’s plastics & rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems & improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis & information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available on the web www.rapra.net , the following represents Smithers Rapra’s core technical expertise:

• Materials selection & application support
• Product design & development
• Manufacturing process assessment & development
• Prototyping & small scale/specialist production
• Engineering & tooling
• Fault & failure diagnosis
• Material & Product testing & analysis

Company History:

• 1919 - Established as RABRM (the Research Association of British Rubber Manufacturers).
• 1960 - Evolution into RAPRA (Rubber & Plastic Research Association) when plastics were added to the companies remit
• 1986 - Saw the incorporation of Rapra Technology Ltd & a board of directors were appointed
• 2002 - The management team of Rapra Technology Ltd, exercised a Management Buyout (MBO), acquiring the assets & liabilities of the company from Rapra Technology Ltd
• 2002 - The former Rapra Technology Ltd was re named Rapra Ltd & remained a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee
• 2006 - The Smithers Group acquired the company & renamed it Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd

Company Statistics:

• 5,000 clients worldwide from 60 countries per annum
• 2,000 technical projects completed each year
• Industry leading Information Centre with the world’s largest Polymer information resource
• 2 sites in the UK: Shawbury Shropshire, Billingham Cleveland
• 130 Employees made up of Scientists, technologists & support personnel