WORKSHOP SUPPLEMENT


Flamefast – the company that has kept hotmetal training off the education back burner


FLAMEFAST has been at the forefront of supplying innovative,market-leading hotmetal equipment and gas proving systems to theUK’s education and industrial sectors for over 40 years. Fromits relatively humble


beginnings as a small family business, it nowcomfortably turns over £6million a year. In its infancy, the business


capitalised on theUK’s conversion to natural gas by supplying a successful range of bunsen burners capable of running on this newfuelwhich could be used by staff in universities, hospitals, colleges and schools. Flamefast followed up on


this success by introducing newproducts such as brazing torches, brazing hearths and gas-fired forgeswhich supported a newschool curriculumto teach hotmetal work andwelding practices to students in a safe environment. The foundation of the


company’s successwas its collaborative approach to working closelywith safety experts, design and technology advisors and teachers. This ensured that all equipment they designed and manufacturedmet the needs of students and teachers alike whilst conforming to all of the standards required by safety professionals.


Evolving The company recognised


that tomaintain itsmarket- leading position itwould need


to continually evolve and enhance its capabilities. In the 1980s, itmoved into supplying gas proving systemswhich could be used in science laboratories and food technology rooms. Over the last 10 years, new


regulations have come into place requiring gas proving systems to be interlockedwith a carbon dioxidemonitor. Studies showed that high CO2 levels in schools lead to a decrease in concentration levels among pupils. Flamefast responded to this by becoming the onlyUK based manufacturer to introduce its high quality CO2monitors which,when interlockedwith their already highly popular GasGuard gas proving systems, fully complywith statutory requirements. The system monitors gas pipework for leaks and lowpressure, and if the CO2 levels become too high as a result of brazing, forging or casting activity, the gas supplywill be isolated until the CO2 drops to an acceptable concentration.


Proud Flamefast’s reward for this


innovative approach has seen their GasGuard and C02 monitor products increase three-fold since the turn of the millenium, generating £1.5 millionworth of revenue for the business year on year. Overseeing this success


story ismanaging director, Steve Swinden. Steve says: “Since I joined Flamefast back


Technology & Science in EducationNo.188 January/February 2012 2


Part of theworkshop at the JCB Academywhere Flamefast is running one-day training courses for teachers in hotmetal work.To date,over 200 teachers have gained the expereince and confidence to give hot metal demonstrations to their students.


in 2000 I amimmensely proud ofwhatwe have been able to achieve.We have opened up newoffices inNorthampton- shire and Scotland, a fullHVAC division and our newindustrial extraction division.We have also continually increased our market share across numerous fieldswhilst stillmaintaining the family business values the companywas built upon. However, despite the business branching out into newfields we believe our roots lie firmly in the education sector.”


Training trainers Itwas these beliefs that


provided the platformfor Flamefast’s next fruitful venture in 2010. The company identified a potential issue in newly qualified teachers lacking the experience and confidence to use metalworking equipment. So tominimise the odds of these expensive outlays sitting dormant in the corners of classrooms, Flamefast introduced a range ofDATA accredited teacher training courses. Fromtheir state-of-the-art training centre based in the JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire teachers can undertake intensive one-day courses in


casting, forging and brazing to give themthe necessary skills and confidence to deliver effective hotmetalwork demonstrations to their students. To date, over 200 teachers


have benefited from Flamefast’s training programme and, as demand has grown somuch, an additional three training centres have nowbeen opened, two in London and one in Scotland. As an added incentive, every


school that buys a newunit fromFlamefast has one place on the course free of charge. Steve Swinden adds: “What makes our education programme especially unique is it is a non-profit operation. We’re happy that the training given can lead to equipment being usedmore frequently and effectively,which in turn can lead to repeat orders and increased sales further down the line.” To find outmore about the


full range of products and services Flamefast have to offer, call 0161 793 9998, email sales@flamefast.co.uk or visitwww.flamefast.co.uk


CircleNo.E13 2 Check out ourwebsite:www.technology-in-education.co.uk


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