Epwin Window Systems has gained a Qualicoat licence for its Stellar aluminium system and at the same time announced a 40% expansion of its powder coating footprint with the introduction of a continuous looped track coating line.
Fewer than 25 businesses hold the Qualicoat licence, which is more wide-ranging than BS EN 12206 (coating of aluminium and aluminium alloys for architectural purposes) and requires twice yearly, unannounced, third party accreditation visits.
Angus Mackie, chair of Qualicoat UK and Ireland, said: “Gaining a Qualicoat licence show a real commitment to powder coating to its highest quality and ensuring that the most up to date coating technology is followed.”
On the factory expansion, production manager Martin Westwood said: “The emphasis we place on quality was always evident in our facilities and was central to us achieving our Qualicoat licence. Our commitment to quality has continued in this new extension.”
The new powder coating line is a continuous looped track system that delivers a high level of consistency through the powder booth and oven. When combined with the improvements to the pre-treatment seven-stage bath/tank system, the company has significantly reduced scrap levels, Martin added: “As an example of the consistency of the operation, we recently ran 700 Stellar parts through the system with zero scrap, which is great from an environmental and a waste management perspective.”
Epwin was one of three applicators to gain the Qualicoat licence recently, along with Euro Quality Coatings and Met-Fab Solutions.
