Amazing Accrington - Spring 2019

LANGTEC...

Their products have Ministry of Defence approval , are found within huge construction projects and….we can’t talk about this, but Langtec made a component that’s found its way into the service of a very important, very orange person

...a business with personality!

So, what do they make? Tubes! Specialist, bespoke, composite tubes. #AmazingAccrington paid a visit to their Althamfactory to get a closer look at the process and tomeet theman heading up the business. AndrewTurner, Managing Director of Langtec, is also not your typical boss! Upon arriving at Langtec we were greeted by the Kan No Senshi, (the official TubeWarrior mascots of Langtec) and treated to some official merchandise. “I like to bring personality to the business. On the surface tubes might not seem hugely interesting, however when made right and by specialists like us, they are a fundamental component for some really exciting things.” The tubes aremade from compositematerial for electrical and thermal insulation – this means they don’t conduct heat or electricity. “Tubes made by Langtec, here in Accrington, can be found extensively throughout the world in a huge range of industries. Fromflares, lifeboats and aeroplanes, to bumble bee keeping equipment.” Handmade and bespoke, on a large scale Andrew takes the personal approach with Langtec’s 43 members of staff, the majority being long-term employees. “It’s almost impossible to hire someone fully trained to do the role. There are very few companies worldwide that manufacture these items to our specifications. Each of our employees is trained by us and very highly skilled. We are a brilliant team and hugely value each member of staff. We more recently started taking on young people We watched as Mario hand-turned the material around the metal guide tube (mandrel), ensuring its even distribution and counting each layer by eye. Aer being ‘wrapped’ the tube is then put into the industrial sized oven which cures the tubes and binds all the layers together. The guide tube removed, and the bespoke, handmade product is ready to be cut to size and shipped around the world. Although wrapped in so, malleable materials such as paper, the end product feels like it’s made of solid wood. Langtec produce a huge range of tubes, from phenolic paper to glass, coon and and mica paper, priding themselves on quality and affordability. “We ship to everywhere and anywhere. Being a niche product, order sizes can be anywhere from four tubes to 400 tubes. We do get orders from here in Hyndburn too though!” In the 30 years that Andrew has been part of Langtec, the company has trebled in size. This is largely due to breaking into the American market. Langtec have also won the Queen’s Award for International Trade on two occasions – prestigious awards which they proudly display. Over 360,000 tubes a year “We make around 1000 tubes a day which, considering the crasmanship involved, is a real credit to our team. The process we and it’s been really successful.” Lichtenstein, Peru, Mauritius…

use is the same as always, although the application hasn’t changed much the techniques have evolved, creating a quicker turn around and higher quality, meaning we’ve been able to expand the business.” Langtec have also invested in some top-secret machines, we took a sneak peek but unfortunately our photographer was swily escorted away for this part of the tour... £200,000 of machinery that has been purpose built to Langtec’s exact specification, something else we can’t talk about! History - 100 years “2019 will see Langtec celebrate 100 years since the company was founded. Frederick Algernon Langley, a general merchant, bought and sold ceramic tiles throughout the British Empire. In 1919 his company was founded on Borough High Street in London, and through the years it evolved to become Langtec.” Before the move to Hyndburn in 1989, the business took many forms and diversified, including making insulation and electronic components to help during WW2. The business made a significant contribution to the war effort, particularly for radio equipment supplies.

AndrewTurner has worked for Langtec for over 30 years, first as an accountant and now as Managing Director. Langtec now also own 51%share of a company who also produce tubes, in County Cork. We can’t help but feel this was more than just a business move for Andrew seven years ago... Punk and personality Self-confessed adrenaline junkie Andrew has many hobbies. “It’s not a coincidence that Inchydony beach in Cork, Ireland, has become one of my most visited surfing sports. We work hard at Langtec but we have fun at the same time! I want to always make sure personality is a part within the ethos of Langtec.” “You can’t make tubes sexy! So what sets us apart?What makes us unique? Of course, the products themselves but there is more to Langtec and that’s something our customers enjoy. We take our TubeWarrior mascots with us to exhibitions and it always raises eyebrows alongside questions!” It’s safe to say Langtec are quirky and a lile bit punk. From the TubeWarriors greeting you at reception, to top secret clients and what can only be described as a ‘Stanley shrine’ area – the business is refreshing and inviting. With a personal interest in sports and events Andrew has made sure he’s supportive of the local community, not only as an individual, but as a business. #ShopLocal The sweets on offer in the office were created and purchased down the road, the machines are made in neighbouring town Padiham and even their Christmas card featured images of Accrington on it.

“Personally, and professionally, I take great pride in our Accrington location and we want to support our community as well as the rest of the UK, particularly with pending uncertainties such as Brexit. We like to get involved wherever we can and are looking forward to all the 2019 events scheduled in the town.” Langtec sponsor a sign at theWhamStadium as well as the local baseball team ‘Robots of Doom’. They also sponsor an American amateur football team, BearFight FC, forging links with Accrington to the American punk football team! “Aer a brilliant time last year, we are excited to sponsor the free family music festival, #AmazingAccrington Live 2019. The Soapbox Challenge was also a highlight so will be definitely taking part in this With aerospace, electrical and hundreds of technical industrial uses the amount of applications for their tubes is too long to list! Langtec are continually expanding and looking to recruit more agents overseas, adding to those in the USA, France and Singapore - whilst also focusing on increasing trade within the UK. Peculiar products, confidential clients and secret systems… “Not many people fully understand what we do, we are a bit of a mystery and I don’t mind keeping it that way!” For more information on Langtec, what they do or to contact them with an enquiry, visit www.langtec.co.uk again too!” The future

Peculiar products, confidential clients and secret systems

Above and far right: Andrew Turner, Managing Director of Langtec. Right: Mario Vasconcelos hand turning the composite tube.

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