The Filtec Group’s new BIG twister running their EPP product.
“I’M SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE WORLD OF ROUNDSLINGS AND THE INNOVATIVE WAYS OUR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR CLIENTS SOLVE RIGGING PROBLEMS INVOLVING OUR SPECIALLY ENGINEERED CORE YARNS. IT’S AN IMPORTANT COLLABORATION THAT RESULTS IN BIG JOBS DONE WELL AND SAFELY, AND I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT’S MORE SATISFYING.”
recent breakthroughs is their EPP21 polyester, which provides a thicker polyester core yarn that allows for a smaller sling with a comparable capacity. “At a high capacity, the slings become so large that their ability to lift is outstripped by their unwieldiness,” says Bailey. “Tey become too difficult to handle and the benefits of their strength and lightness are lost. Te EPP line of polyester has steadily increased load-bearing capacity while decreasing the material cost of manufacturing round slings.” In Bailey’s opinion, when it comes to high-performance
polyester, there is only EPP21. “Our enhanced chemical coating gives the sling more lubricity both in fabrication and within the lifting configuration, reducing the possibility of surface damage and scratching as well as increasing the grabbing power of the sling.” Currently Filtec-Precise’s high-performance polyester is being used in offshore projects in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and was recently used in mining projects in western Australia, as well as on wind farms throughout the United States. Bailey himself has been at the helm of Filtec for over a decade, after a successful career in textile engineering for 25 years. He was introduced to the field during an earlier position with Goodyear Tire & Rubber. “I was randomly assigned to the textile reinforcements of belts and hoses and I’ve been in the textile world ever since. I love it,” he says. “I’m so enthusiastic about the world of roundslings and the innovative ways our customers and their clients solve rigging problems involving our specially engineered core yarns. It’s an important collaboration that results in big jobs done well and safely, and I can’t think of anything that’s more satisfying.” When it comes to safety Bailey puts his money where his
mouth is. “At Filtec we believe that quality is its own value,” says Bailey. “Tat’s particularly important when we’re supplying the lifting and rigging industry for uses where people’s lives may be on the line.” Te company recently invested $20,000 to purchase
22 JULY-AUGUST 2015 WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
a special Instron test fixture that will allow them to do their own EHP testing in-house. Tey’ve also made safety a priority in their recent hiring of two engineering graduates from North Carolina State: a new Quality Manager with a Masters in Textile Engineering, and a new Production Manager also with an Engineering degree. “When it comes to safety, technology is not enough. You need expertise and a personal touch when it comes to looking after the well being of both people and property,” says Bailey.
While the company has made a name with its innovative
research and development, Filtec Precise’s business culture resembles its little town surroundings more than its global reach or its industry-wide impact. “We’ve been able to maintain a small company, family atmosphere,” says Bailey. “We’ve got a great crew of loyal operators who’ve built-up years of experience here.” Tat said, Bailey is also constantly looking to the bigger
picture for new ways to work with American-based suppliers and manufacturers to consistently maintain a base for industrial textiles right here in the U.S.A. Filtec Precise currently has approximately 57 employees and their weekly production output is typically well over 100 tons. More than 75% of the yarns the company converts into their diverse array of products can be traced back to domestic producers including every inch of the 6.6 nylon that they use in their military applications and over 80% of the polyester that goes into their signature round sling cores yarns. Te domestic polyester actually comes from neighbors right in North Carolina and the company even makes 100% domestic core yarns for similarly local-centric clients who prefer to sell “100% domestic round slings.” “We believe in ‘Made in America’ and the rigorous quality
standards that entails,” he says. “We try to deal with domestic yarns in all of our products. We wave the flag with everything we make and we’re really proud of that.” y
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