Leaders in the Design and Manufacture of Heating and Control Products

A member of the Bibby Scientific group, Electrothermal are market leaders in the design and manufacture of laboratory heating and control products. Incorporated since 1943, Electrothermal are based in Rochford, Essex, UK, employing 50 people locally and develop and manufacture a huge range of products on site.

Along with the other Bibby Scientific brands of Stuart, Techne and Jenway, Electrothermal provide a wealth of equipment for the global scientific community. Their diverse customers include major pharmaceutical, industrial and chemical companies, alongside educational establishments and governments worldwide.

Electrothermal are market leaders in heating, cooling and stirring equipment for universities, schools and industry. They manufacture all their own products on their Rochford site, working mainly with local UK suppliers to provide a full spectrum of equipment; from world leading Electromantles to highly accurate and state of the art reaction stations. In fact, many drug trials in the Pharmaceutical industry rely on their STEM Integrity 10 Reaction Station to assure them of certain safety characteristics, guarding against rogue polymorphs which alter the physical properties of the drug.

As you will see from the website, Electrothermal provide a wealth of laboratory equipment; and with sufficient business justification, are open to making a product just for you. While most of the business is off the shelf, Electrothermal continue to make bespoke apparatus.

 One of their more unusual products is used by the military to ensure that our troops get a hot drink and meal whilst confined to the very cramped quarters of a tank, supply lorry or helicopter. Their Water and Ration Heater heats water and MREs (meals Ready-to-Eat) whilst keeping a low thermal signature to protect against detection. It’s very popular with both the UK and US armed forces, so much so that the US forces have affectionately re-named it as the “Morale Booster”- quite an accolade for any product!

Electrothermal are totally committed to continuous Improvement; this applies to all areas of their business, whether new innovations, applications territories or collaborations. Despite being a mature business, Electrothermal are aiming for 30% growth this year and early indications show that they’ll achieve this.

Electrothermal will be present at all the major shows for their industry, such as Achema and Arablab but will also be present at various international conferences, as they have an academic reference group of professors and doctors who are currently using their equipment. As General Manager Peter Day says, “It’s always good to hear of these Professors’ work using our products - not only because it’s good for our business to have this level of product endorsement, but it’s also making a genuine scientific contribution to the world.”

He goes on to say: “Electrothermal operate a very customer focussed approach to business. We recognise that satisfied customers tend to be loyal customers, so we work in a customer-centric way. Our open culture promotes immediate focus on any challenges to the business and we engage everyone by using clear visual tools to overcome barriers and reach our goals. All employees receive Practical Process Improvement (PPI) training and are engaged in both major and minor projects. We also use daily quick bite meetings (SQDIP) in each department to ensure an agile response to challenges we face. Transparency is key in maintaining quality at Electrothermal, and we have a balanced scorecard approach to running the business which is linked to simple visual metrics. I think our best measure that this works is given by our longstanding customers, not by internal measurement, and also the growing number of new customers that are now using our products and services.”

Quality is not just a concept at Electrothermal and they reap the benefits of this approach; they are one company reversing the current trend of imports into the UK, and are exporting most of their goods - even to China and India. In the words of their General Manager, “We do not have any tag lines or exhortations, but we do live and work by our values: Integrity, Focus, Commitment and Innovation.”

If you would like further information please telephone: +44 (0) 1702 303 350 or visit: www.electrothermal.com