Bright and warm – 3M working with the professional recovery industry

Cardno, manufacturer of products for the vehicle recovery industry, incorporates two innovative materials from 3M, Scotchlite Reflective Material and Thinsulate Insulation.

Based in Luton, Cardno manufactures and supplies an entire range of products for more than 3,000 companies in the professional recovery industry. This profession is potentially dangerous and hazardous, with workers facing extreme conditions. Consequently, one of the fields that the company specialises in is protective clothing - essential for safe working practices in this industry.

Being seen

Professional recovery workers have to make sure that they are visible when working on the roadside. Cardno has used Scotchlite Reflective Material from 3M on its jackets for 14 years. It is so well trusted and proven for protection, performance and compliance to EN standards, that that the materials are the most widely used across all emergency services.

“Scotchlite Reflective Material provides excellent night-time visibility, In poor light or bad weather, a brilliant reflection can be relied upon so that passing drivers can see where the recovery worker is,” said Hilary Reglar of Cardno. “Scotchlite Reflective Material reflects light back to its source from up to 230m away, with wide-angle performance even in the wet. Over the past 14 years we have developed an excellent and well-established relationship with 3M. Strong partnerships with like-minded suppliers such as 3M are key to the success of our clothing systems and ultimately, the safety of our customers."

For this reason, it was 3M that Cardno turned to when looking at another issue in this clothing market.

Staying warm

A professional recovery worker has to be able to keep warm. Historically, manufacturers created padded clothing, meaning the garments were both heavy and bulky. This made it hard for the wearer to perform many tasks, including lifting and bending.

Cardno had to find a material that would eliminate the need for bulky padding. The solution was to incorporate into its clothing range Thinsulate Insulation, from 3M, that provides a thin but effective thermal lining, protecting wearers from the cold. This change in manufacture resulted in high-performing, lined, lightweight garments.

Hilary said: "Thinsulate Insulation is a far superior product with excellent protective qualities. It is extremely light in weight and provides maximum thermal efficiency without being bulky. It is without doubt the best product on the market for thermal efficiency."

"We selected Thinsulate Insulation because of its proven performance, the excellent relationship that we have with 3M and because of 3M's outstanding reputation." said Hilary.

Customer feedback on the new range has been excellent. Hilary continued: "Without exception customers find that Thinsulate Insulation material really makes an improvement."

Products incorporating the insulated lining include anoraks, bodywarmers, bomber jackets, coveralls, roadway jackets and liners. For further information on Cardno please contact Hilary on 01582 405 080 or visit www.cardno.co.uk
For more information about Thinsulate Insulation visit www.Thinsulate.co.uk or use the link on the Cardno website.


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3M, Thinsulate and Scotchlite are trademarks of 3M Company.
3M – Practical and ingenious solutions that help customers succeed

3M is a $24.5 billion diversified technology company which, since 1902, has been creating innovative products that help make the world smarter, faster, healthier and safer. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.

3M employs 75,000 people worldwide, producing thousands of innovative products for customers in dozens of diverse markets in some 200 countries. Its 40+ technology platforms touch nearly every aspect of modern life - the company has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention and detection solutions; and its digital signage offerings are revolutionising the way businesses communicate with their customers, their employees and the general public.

The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing 3850 people across 17 locations, including 11 manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, respirators, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.

3M Centre, Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8HT
Tel: 08705 360036
www.Thinsulate.co.uk