G S Shapland buys Vacuum Metalisers
From major customer to owner - G S Shapland
purchased Vacuum Metalisers Ltd in June 2003. Vacuum Metalisers is the only company
in New Zealand offering the process, which applies high-quality metallic surfaces to
plastic and metal items.
Funeral products, including coffin handles,
ornaments, thumbscrews and plates account for a large part of production. Other
industries also utilise the process to manufacture lighting reflectors, and metallic lids
for cosmetic products.
Managing director Geoff Shapland explains the
reasons behind the buy-out of the Waihi-based company.
"We plan to continue developing and enhancing
the environmentally-sound technical process. We already make many of the plastic
products being vacuum metalised, so now we have complete control over the quality of the
whole production process from moulding to final coating. This is much preferable to
sending New Zealand product overseas for metalising."
Geoff comments that the process creates a very
high quality finish , without chemical pollutants. "It is much more
environmentally-sound than the alternative process of nickel plating which uses
highly-toxic acids. As a company we think that vacuum metalising is definitely the
responsible option and the way of the future."
The metalising plant is now working under improved
quality control systems. It uses new and improved lacquer formulations, which have
lifted product quality to international standards. Local and international demand
for funeral accesories and other metalised products means the plant is working to
capacity.
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