In 2013, the Filtec Group began working on the next evolution of polyester core yarns, EPP (Engineered Polyester Power).
reliable converter of industrial yarns into a variety of end uses hasn’t faltered since the 1980’s. Over the years they’ve reconstructed industrial yarns into everything from ropes and cordage, reinforced line piping, geo-textiles, fabrics, military webbing to dental floss and high-end sail cloth used by yacht racers. Filtec-Precise’ raison d’être, though, remains the
products it’s created for load-bearing applications, such as the yarns used for roundsling cores, of which they are the world’s single largest producer. “We’re just finishing our fourth expansion now – our third in ten years,” says Bailey. Filtec-Precise’s new 34,000 square foot production hall will boast fourteen Robins used for producing their round sling core yarns. “It’ll also give us plenty of storage for our flat yarn as well as our roundsling core yarn stock,” Bailey says. Filtec’s legacy as a leader in roundsling products
stretches all the way back to their company’s founder, Dr. Dieter van de Kamp, co-founder of SpanSet. Working with Henry Norman, the pair worked together to produce the first prototypes that secured the original patents on the endless roundsling. Today, Filtec-Precise remains the wholly-owned daughter company of Filament-Technik, which has established two locations in Germany and America since its inception in the 1970’s. “Te endless roundsling is a synthetic lifting sling that replaces chain and
wire ropes on construction sites, ports, offshore sites, and erection of wind turbine farms,” says Bailey. “Te slings are used in both land and offshore applications. Tey’re much lighter than either chains or wire ropes.” Te product revolutionized the industry in the second half of the 20th century, bringing a level of ease and safety to load-bearing projects that was previously impossible. It didn’t take long for the slings to gain widespread use. “Te patent was filed in 1972 and by the late 1970’s it was in use at building sites and big moving projects,” says Bailey. Te incorporation of synthetic slings came with an abundance of advantages within the industry. Te synthetic material is much less abrasive than its predecessors, which in turn prevents surface damages. Te material is also much lighter and more flexible than its industry counterparts – making it safer and easier to handle in especially precarious applications. Offshore the sling is especially prized, “Every pound you put on a platform requires additional ballast,” Bailey says, “it’s crucial to keep all of your rigging equipment as light as possible.” While the core yarns for endless roundsling is a company signature, Filtec has never been the kind of company that rests on its laurels. Bailey and his team have continuously pursued improvements that might make their products even stronger, lighter and safer. One of their most
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
JULY-AUGUST 2015
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