Capital Investments

April 2012

Bonaprene Products has just installed and addition to their milling 

shop.A brand new Braithwaite 3 axis milling machine with ACU-RITE® 

controls was commissioned in April 2012 as part of Bonaprene Products 

continuous investment in plant and equipment. The MILLPWR® readout system 

effectively combines powerful features and functionality with ease of use.

This new machine not only increases Bonaprene Product’s capacity but also 

the complexity of tool making that can be undertaken.

Bonaprene Products manufacture tooling for a wide range of polyurethane

components. The tooling is designed using Bonaprene’s Solid Works software

and machined in steel, aluminium and composite materials,

Assured Vendor Award from Altius

March 2012

Bonaprene Products is pleased to announce becoming an Altius

Assured Vendor on the 16th March 2012 - award number: 304734. 

The assessment was very rigorous and has enabled Bonaprene 

Products to demonstrate competence and expertise in the management 

of quality and health & safety as well proving Bonaprene Products 

possesses the highest levels of commercial viability and 

insurance cover.

Altius was appointed by Airbus to asses all their key suppliers. 

Altius provides independent vendor assessment for a wide range of 

clients that includes Car Phone Warehouse, Unipart Rail,

B&Q, Burger King and Top Shop. For more information visit 

www.altiusva.com 

Appointment of Technical Manager

June 2011

Bonaprene Products Limited are pleased to announce the appointment of

Steve Davies as their new Technical Manager.

Steve brings with him a wealth of experience from within the automotive

industry having worked closely with several OEM's including Scania, DAF

and Cummins Diesel Engines.

Capital Investments

May 2011

As part of Bonaprene Products continuous investment in plant and 

equipment the company's May shut down has seen the introduction of 

two new machines to upgrade and replace old machines.

In Bonaprene Products shot blast shop a new Hodge Clemco Series 1250 

Enviroclean has been installed. This machine brings faster output and 

higher quality to small component shotblasting such as vehicle suspension 

bushes, wheels,bump stops and engine mounts. The shot blasting operation

is an integral part of Bonaprene product's polyurethane (PU) to metal

bonding process. 

In Bonaprene products machine shop a new Harrison V390 variable speed 

centre lathe with Acurite 2 axis DRO & CSS is being installed. Bonaprene 

Products uses this type of lathe for a wide range of operations. Many of 

Bonaprene's small, simpler tools; short runs of steel wheels forpolyurethane

covering and a broad range of other machined parts are made in this area 

of the machine shop. 

Recruitment of a Technical Manager

February 2011

As part of Bonaprene's exciting expansion programme we are looking to recruit a Technical Manager to expand sales in our current markets & to identify and sell into new ones.

Based from the Wrexham site the Technical Manager's remit will be a broad one. Reporting to the Sales Director you will be in a small sales team working to common goals and provide engineering expertise to the team. You will work with the sales team to highlight new business targets, you will develop existing relationships and you will work very closely with engineering to develop product. This is a hands-on role that requires a great deal of engineering and commercial experience. 

The primary sectors operated in are OEMs, including automotive, and manufacturing and processing industries through out the UK and some European countries.

The essentials for this role are:

•  Having a degree or technical qualification in engineering or being engineering trade qualified.
•  Hands-on engineering/design experience
•  Extensive customer account management and business development experience
•  A history of selling face-to-face to buyers and engineers.
•  Having an entrepreneurial style and being prepared to roll your sleeves up. 

The Offer

Basic salary, car and bonus

Send your letter of introduction and your CV by post to Mrs Brenda Heard at our address in contacts or by email to brenda@bonaprene.co.uk

Engineering Training at the University

January 2010

As part of Bonaprene’s on going programme of training five members of Bonaprene staff have started a Mechanical Engineering course at Glyndwr University. The staff members come from all parts of the company and the aim is enhance engineering Knowledge out side Bonaprene’s engineering department. Olivier Durieux, Glyndwr’s Mechanical Engineering Lecturer, has devised a course to cover a broad spectrum of subjects from deformation of materials through to basic rules of electricity. With Olivier specialising in automotive and motor sport technology the course was very helpful for our Bonaprene’s sales people who deal with engineers and buyers in the automotive sector selling our Polybush branded suspension bushes.

Certificate in First Line Management

August 2009

Bonaprene Products are pleased to announce the awarding of Level 3 Certificates in First Line Management to Richard Smith, Gareth Foulkes and Neil Flavell. These certificates have been awarded by the Institute of Leadership & Management following extensive training at Yale College.

Stage Award towards Engineering Apprenticeship

July 2009

Bonaprene are pleased to announce that Angelo Campos, the companies current engineering apprentice, has been awarded a Certificate of Unit Credit towards his City and Guilds Certificate of Engineering. This has been in the Installation, Commissioning and Mainenance module. Angelo has obtained a credit and a distinction in hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components.

New Dispensing Machine

October 2009

Bonaprene have taken delivery of a brand new 1000 litre capacity Baule UG4C/CV cast Polyurethane dispensing machine. This adds to Bonaprene's other dispensers and can produce hardness's from 35º Shore A to 95º Shore A and colours red, blue, yellow, green, black, white and orange.

Degree in Manufacturing Technology

July 2007

Bonaprene Products are pleased to announce that the companies Production Director, Richard Mills, has obtained a Masters of Science degree in Manufacturing: Management and Technology from the Open University. Obtaining this degree has required a large amount of work but brings high level skills into Bonaprene's business of polyurethane engineering.

Mercol moves to Wrexham

July 2007

After the completion of Bonaprene's 10,000 sq foot extension of the factory at Wrexham Bonaprene's Mercol Polymer's operation at Holmewood was moved in July 2007. This will allow economy of scale from bringing all polyurethane processing under one roof. A big thank you to all the staff at Mercol who we've all enjoyed working with since April 2006 and who have ensured the smooth transfer of techniques and technology.

Factory Extension

June 2007

Bonaprene have put the finishing touches to the 10,000 sq foot (1,000m2) factory extension to bring the total floor space to 30,000 sq foot (3,000m2). This has created the room for the growth of the last few years, Bonaprene can now all breath out again. It has also allowed the Polybush Division to build brand new facilities including offices, stores, warehousing, meeting rooms and most importantly a lovely new kitchen.

Purchase of Land

March 2006

Bonaprene have finally completed the purchase of building land adjacent to the factory on the Wrexham Industrial Estate. Bonaprene can now progress with the planning application for a 10,000 sq foot extension to the factory. This will allow a growth in Bonaprene's polyurethane processing capacity as well as installation of new automated polyurethane machinery.

Apprenticeship in Engineering

July 2006

Bonaprene are pleased to announce the awarding of the latest Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering from SEMTA The Sector Skills Council. This skills for business award has gone to Mark Jones who works in the Bonaprene machine shop. Mark has worked hard both practically in the shop and at Yale college in Wrexham to complete his apprenticeship. Mark now takes up his duties as a fully time served machinist. He will be involved in tool making and general milling and turning work.

Upgrade of Technical Drawing System

March 2006

Bonaprene Products have completed their investment in a comprehensive upgrade of their technical drawing capability with the purchase of Solidworks suit of programs. To complement this Bonaprene's draughtsmen have attended the Solidworks training course. The investment will allow Bonaprene to offer their customers a faster and more comprehensive design service especially in the areas of tool making and component production.

Mercol Products Sale

April 2006

Bonaprene Products are pleased to announce the purchase from Mercol Products Limited of their Mercol Polymers Geothane business. This brings together two of the most important names in cast polyurethane technology.

Hardwick View Road
Holmewood Industrial Estate
Holmewood, Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S42 5SA

Tel: +44 (0)1246 857800
Fax: +44 (0)1246 857801
Web: www.mercol-polymers.co.uk
E-mail: info@mercol-polymers.co.uk

Polyurethane Product Manufacturing Technology

October 2004

By 2003 the Polyurethane Technology course, through the National Open College Network, has become an established program. Casting staff are designated as casting apprentices on joining Bonaprene and are distinguished by a grey uniform. They enter into the training scheme which educates them on all practical and theoretical aspects of polyurethane casting. These include Health and safety for cast polyurethane manufacture; manufacture of cast polyurethane mouldings and basic chemistry for cast polyurethane manufacture.

Management Training

June 2004

In 2003 Bonaprene began the process of formalising their management training. Bonaprene's shop floor managers have been attending the Team Leader Productivity Improvement Network run by the Welsh Development Agency. Bonaprene are pleased to announce that Bonaprene's Machine shop, Casting shop and Trimming shop foremen had all received Certificates of Achievement.

Polyurethane Product Manufacturing Technology

August 2000

Bonaprene Products are pleased to announce that our first candidates have been awarded credit passes in Polyurethane Product Manufacturing Technology at Yale College. In the late 90s Bonaprene management wanted to introduce a formal training scheme for the polyurethane casting operatives. On finding no scheme existed they set about designing, producing and getting accredited a scheme of their own. In 1999 the scheme was approved by the National Open College Network as an equivalent to NVQ 2 or 3 and training began. In conjunction with Yale College, exams were set. In August 2000 the first candidates passed and received their certificates.