Introducing the possibilities of expanded metal to the NEPIC Cluster
NEPIC (North East of England Process Industry Cluster), is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the needs and interests of the chemical-processing sector in the North East of England. It supports its members, like us, in a number of ways and one of those ways is through its monthly Cluster Connect meetings.
Held monthly as an alternate face-to-face and online event, NEPIC’s Cluster Connect is a staple in the calendar for members.
On Thursday, 10 November we were delighted to host its November 2022, in-person Cluster Connect and welcomed a number of members to our site to introduce expanded metal – how it’s manufactured and where it’s used.
Following an introduction from Joanne Fryett, Operations Director at NEPIC, Ian Hutchinson, Commercial Manager at The Expanded Metal Company discussed the process for manufacturing metal mesh and how no waste is produced in its manufacture. Attendees were given mesh samples so they could see the range of our products, from fine coil to heavy steel and even brightly painted mesh.
NEPIC members Luminous and Evolution-XR also provided an insight into their companies. They explained how they deliver training using VR and use technology to make time and cost savings when delivering training, as well as increasing safety on site.
A lively discussion followed on how industries need to look to a more digital future and how we can work together to demonstrate the career opportunities in Hartlepool and the wider North East.
Attendees were then invited on a tour of our facilities.
As part of the tour, attendees were able to see our expanded metal manufacturing process, stock holding area and extensive tooling room at first hand, and they learned about the planning and preparations we put in place to ensure the best use of time in the manufacturing process.
If you’d like to know more about how expanded metal is made, watch this video and you can explore just some of the many applications of metal mesh here.
GBP