Like most UK companies, we have been experiencing difficulties with sourcing, transporting and exporting products in recent months. Shipping costs have increased by shocking amounts, affecting the cost of chemicals we import and having a knock-on effect on the price paid for our range of corrosion preventatives by our overseas customers.
Compounded by the UK shortage of HGV drivers, border delays and huge amounts of time spent on the new paperwork required, we have found our products can take significantly longer to reach their destination than we were used to a couple of years ago.
For barrels of corrosion preventative, this is not a serious problem. We have adjusted our internal processes to speed things up as much as possible and our larger customers are fully aware of delays outside our control and are ordering in good time to ensure they do not run out of crucial products. When it comes to companies manufacturing or engineering metal components, however, these additional delays can mean the difference between items arriving in a clean, shiny condition or with visible surface corrosion.
Many of our customers carry out machining on iron and steel, either as part of their in-house manufacturing processes or on a subcontract basis for a range of customers. Whereas until recently their work could be turned around quickly as part of their clients’ Just-In-Time system, these new obstacles to transporting goods can cause unreasonable delays at all stages of manufacture.
We heard from several suppliers to a major yellow-goods manufacturer who were left with significant quantities of stock requiring storage when production was shut down due to shortages in crucial materials. Fully machined components which would usually have been back with the customer within days were laid up on shelves or stacked up in workshops and no-one knew how long they would need to be stored.
For machinists with robust corrosion prevention measures in place, the situation, while inconvenient and concerning, was not going to leave them with stacks of corroded stock which would need replacing when supply chains began to move again. They could rest easy knowing their products were safely coated with Steelgard and would likely still be in pristine condition whether they were left for 20 days or 20 years!
If your business is being affected by the current difficulties in sourcing and supplying goods, both within and beyond the UK, Vapor-Tek has a range of easy-to-apply corrosion preventatives which will ensure that your products remain rust and corrosion free no matter how long they are left waiting on the shelf, in the van or on the dockside.
For cast, machined, forged and fabricated items, the perfect solution will be one of our Steelgard range of Contact Corrosion Inhibitors. These products are predominantly solvent-deposited, ultra-thin film, dewatering corrosion inhibitors.
This means:
- The solvent carrying the active ingredients quickly evaporates
- Leaves behind an incredibly thin, transparent, lubricating protective film (2 microns for Steelgard GP)
- Powerful water displacer dries surfaces as it is applied and protects from humidity and condensation
- No need to remove in most cases
- Easy, quick and clean to apply
For more complex assemblies like engines and gearboxes, to ensure internal parts are protected until they are commissioned, you can apply one of our Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs). Also perfect for products with a void like hydraulic tanks, valves and pipework. We offer Vaporol which is oil-based and compatible with most fuels and lubricants so usually does not need removing or, for water-filled systems, offers the same benefits in an aqueous solution.
With corrosion inhibiting vapours which fill the space and reach every nook and cranny, VCIs ensure your products remain completely corrosion free until they are put into use. We supply Vaporol to manufacturers of machines of every kind from marine engines, earthmovers, cars, aircraft and seagoing vessels, not forgetting gensets, compressors, pumps and industrial machinery. From vintage aeroplanes to nuclear submarines our products keep everything running smoothly.
We are happy to advise on how you can introduce our corrosion preventatives to your processes to ensure your products are protected from when they leave your machine shop or assembly line until they arrive with your customer, no matter how long they spend in storage or transit.
About Vapor-Tek
Vapor-Tek produces a range of high-performance corrosion preventatives from its premises in Bolton. Our Steelgard range protects on contact. Vaporol is a Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) to protect the inside of things plus a water-based version, Aquavap, which has all the benefits of Vaporol in an aqueous formulation, which can be rinsed away if required.
Whatever your corrosion problem, we have a clean, simple and cost-effective product to prevent it. For friendly advice, further information or to place an order call Vapor-Tek today on 01204 521795 or e-mail info@vapor-tek.co.uk
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