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New Team Members and Promotions in 2025
Since moving in to our new premises we have been growing the business, installing new equipment and processes and generally aiming to improve our business to support our expanding customer base.
2024 saw growth in a number of areas and specifically a big jump in those using contract plasma and corona treatment services through Ebble Manufacturing.
Development with customers using these services has been interesting, some continue to use the services and expand on the products they send us for treatment, others have invest in their own equipment as their business has increased too.
In general, the contract treatment side of the business has really started to fill the floor of our new premises which has lead to new team members and a promotion for one of the team.
Steve Laurie Promoted
With developing the service side of Ebble Group, Steve Laurie has been appointed full time Production Manager to oversee and continue to push our quality and throughput.
Steve has been with us a number of years and had previously been responsible for minor contract treatment, test inks and internal sales. Steve has spent a lot of the last year ensuring that the correct operating procedures and methods are in place for Ebble Manufacturing.
Chris Howey, Managing Director comments: Steve has been a key part of the business since he started in 2022, he’s got a real problem solving attitude and can get stuck in with hands on problems with ease. His professional development as Production Manager is going to be exciting to watch.
Matt Edkins Joins Internal Sales and Support
Joining the team in February to facilitate Steve moving away from the internal sales role comes our new team member Matt Edkins who joins us after working in multiple sales roles across a range of industries.
Matt will be taking on speaking with new and existing customers for customer support, rentals and lab trials, through to spares and service contracts.
Matt joining the team marks a significant step in our company development, bringing another team member on board gives us further ways we can support our customers.
The entire team are excited to welcome Matt – his sales background and his support will help the company run smoother and allow us to keep pushing the growth of our business – says Chris Howey
It’s important to our business that as well as developing the products and services we have, that we also make sure we look after our customers and that we have a strong team to support with anything from new project ideas to emergency breakdowns.
We’ve got some big plans to follow through on in the next 12 months and hopefully this is just the first few steps!
New Factory Equipment
The intention for many years has been to install new equipment and when we moved in to our large site in 2023 we kept an area clear for something we’ve been wanting for a long time.
We’ve invested in new equipment and systems since moving, but now is finally the time to fill this space with the largest of the new production cells.
We’ll shortly be excited to showcase a large robot cell with atmospheric plasma and SpotTEC treatment systems available.
This will be a really exciting step forward for both the manufacturing services side of the business and the equipment sales side of the business for running trials and demonstrations.
This system will complete our factory for showcasing all areas of the surface treatment technology we offer and will make a significant improvement in the trials and support we can offer those looking to replicate their own automation and manufacturing.
Taking lead on the project is Matt Banthorpe, Engineering Director who is busy planning and organising delivery of the required components. Matt has also taken over another part of the factory to expand his engineering works offices as his department takes on further work.
New Trial Equipment
Finally, we introduce some of the newer equipment we’ve taken in during the end of 2024 and start of 2025.
We’re pleased to be able to offer the ZeroNOxTEC and LabTEC-X systems which we now have on site for trials and demos.
ZeroNOxTEC offers an add on system to the PlasmaTEC series of systems and can tailor the air mixture going in to the plasma nozzles to reduce the creation of NOx gases and give a different plasma discharge which can be beneficial for some applications.
All plasma systems from any manufacturer will give off NOx gases which can be produced in levels that exceed occupational exposure limits (OEL) and pose a risk to users.
Using ZeroNOx significantly reduces these gases creating a safer work environment while also giving new efficiencies to the PlasmaTEC-X range of systems.
In the lab, our LabTEC-X replaces the standard LabTEC system we’ve been manufacturing for a number of years. The LabTEC-X system provides a cost effective corona treatment station that can be used for up to A3 sized samples and components.
LabTEC-X adds a significant amount of usability and safety to ensure that the system is usable in any modern lab. It also adds additional testing here at Tantec UK for concept and proof of principle trials for those looking to purchase equipment.
Alongside the LabTEC-X is the LabelTEC web treating system which is capable of running 600mm wide treatment for web, foil and film materials.
Looking Forward in 2025
We’re really excited to kick 2025 off with a strong start, customers are working closely with us, projects are starting and our team and facilities are strengthening.
As ever, our doors are open to visitors so if you want to see the new equipment and discuss surface treatment needs, we’ll make sure the kettle is on!
