Rubberatkins wind turbine is now fully operational. The project was completed on the 16th April after many weeks of construction. The project, led by Green Cat Renewables and Enercon, has taken 3 months from digging and laying foundations to the construction of the turbine and connection to the grid.

2012 will see the construction of a Wind Turbine on the Rubberatkins site to power the factory, offices and test facility. The ground was broken on construction on 11th January with completion expected by April 2012.

The Enercon E33 is capable of producing 330kW and will stand 67 metres tall. The implementation of this wind turbine will see Rubberatkins taking a big step towards 100% renewable energy usage.

Rubberatkins will be operational from their new purpose built office and factory facility from 3rd August 2009.

Great progress is being made on Rubberatkins new Manufacturing and R&D facility despite the cold winter and we are well on target for a July 24th Completion.

Rubberatkins announces 1st November an investment of around £3 million ($4.5Million USD) in state-of-the-art premises and the purchase of new equipment to increase its manufacturing and testing capabilities. The purpose-built property will provide the company with 12,500 sq ft of warehouse space and 5,500 sq ft of office space across two storeys and the firm will move into the building in the third quarter of 2009. Strong growth over the last few years has led Rubberatkins - designer and manufacturer of custom made elastomer components for the oil and gas industry - to outgrow its current space.

Nick Atkins, director of Rubberatkins says, “We have experienced significant growth aided by our investment in our research and development facilities. We launched a new range of products earlier in the year and also installed high-tech laboratory equipment to enhance our rubber compound development. We have purchased new production equipment to increase our manufacturing capacity, so as our operations have grown so too has our need for more space.”

“Our purpose built offices will be located in the Science and Technology Park in Bridge of Don and are twice the size of our current premises in Altens. We’ve had full control over the design of the new building to ensure it fully meets our needs and requirements and construction is expected to begin early in the new year. Research and development is a high priority for us as we strive to provide our clients with products that perform in extreme environments.”

“The new, larger workshop facilities will allow us to continue to provide our clients with robust and reliable rubber sealing solutions.”

Well not the real kind more like the stuff you see in movies. Yes, employees from Rubberatkins Ltd and their families enjoyed a fantastic day out at the Bedlam Paintball down at Edzell. The teams were split up into 2 squads (Red V’s Green).

Lets just say everyone one fired up for this, but to be honest it was the red team that prevailed by dismantling the green team within the first 4 game scenarios.

Roll on to our next adventure!

This month marks the 20th of trading for Rubberatkins. The Altens-based firm was established by directors Nick Atkins and Jill Webster with the aim of solving fundamental engineering problems using innovative rubber technology. Two decades on, Rubberatkins has expanded its operations internationally with the opening of a US base in Houston and company turnover continues to increase year on year.

Rubberatkins has recently made a significant investment in cutting-edge rubber machining technology, testing and measuring equipment. This allows it to further develop its range of products and customize elastomer materials according to parameters of individual applications.

Nick Atkins, director of Rubberatkins explains “Our investment in a CNC lathe and measurement equipment allows us to machine a range of sizes up to 16” diameter and using our new CMM machine we can verify the associated dimensions. By installing this range of equipment and using our extensive knowledge and expertise with elastomers, we have been able to reduce our reliance on 3rd party suppliers, expand our product offering and be able to provide prototypes in any material in fraction of the time.”

The company has entered another phase of product growth; at OTC 2008 it launched a new range of High Pressure Packer Cups. The HP Cup is a product designed to hold differential pressures up to 18.000 PSI at temperatures reaching 160°C. With significantly higher capabilities than any other products currently on the market, the HP Cup provides the operator with increased reliability and safety, reducing the risk of expensive failures.

The team at Rubberatkins designs and manufactures a wide range of custom components in every available elastomer (including NBR, HNBR, FKM, FFKM & TFE-P) as well as bonding rubber to metal components for the oil and gas industry.

Nick continues, “During 20 years in business we have witnessed a number of changes and to meet the diverse demands of the industry, we continue to develop materials for extreme environments. We understand that each job is different and that more clients are looking for solutions that best meets their needs. Our materials are tailored to cope with high temperatures, pressures H2S and compatibility with aggressive chemicals such as completion fluids.”

With offices in Aberdeen and Houston, Rubberatkins elastomer problem solving capabilities are considered industry leading within the down hole and surface sealing sectors.

Rubberatkins launched the HP Cup, a new range of High-Pressure Packer Cups, at OTC 2008 (Monday 5 May 2008). Created to hold differential pressures up to 18,000 PSI at temperatures reaching 160ºC, the Rubberatkins HP Cup offers significantly higher capabilities than any other products currently on the market. Providing a reliable and robust solution for liner hanger, well intervention, sand fracturing, sand control and wellhead testing, the HP Cup is designed to contain high differential pressures in an annular gap.

Engineered using specially formulated anti-extrusion elastomers, its custom designed thin walls can accommodate larger outer diameter (OD) mandrels allowing increased flow through the mandrel inner diameter (ID). The HP cup has an integral cup and thimble and its flexibility provides increased reliability when working at very high pressures and temperatures, therefore minimising risk.

Nick Atkins, director of Rubberatkins says, “The HP Cup is designed to maximise production whilst minimising risk by securely sealing high pressures at temperature. We designed the HP Cup in a range of sizes which fit three custom designed mandrels. Cups can be tailored to suit the individual needs of the client and any casing size and weight and mandrel OD. Every job has different issues and problems and therefore different needs. Each requires its own distinct solution. To meet these requirements, we can adapt the rubber compounds in our products in accordance with individual environmental parameters.”

The HP Cup will provide greater reliability, as Nick explains, “Time costs money in the energy industry and the inefficient deployment of a tool can result in wasted resources and project delays. Bearing this in mind, we focussed on making the HP Cup highly reliable and devoted a majority of resources to testing this aspect of the product. By doing this we can provide our clients with the assurance that every time the HP Cup is put in place it will work.”

The launch of the HP Cup marks a landmark period for the company, Nick comments, “This is the second year that the company has exhibited at OTC and marks a significant milestone for our operations in Houston. We officially launched the opening of our base in Houston at last year’s show and now one year on, we are back again to launch our latest range of innovative products. We have spent the last 12 months focusing on the research and development of our materials and products within our Houston office and this has proved extremely successful for us in establishing our presence in the US. The main objectives for 2008 will be to drive the business forward by increasing sales in the international market.”

Rubberatkins designs and manufactures custom made elastomer and elastomer to metal components for the Oil Industry. Established in 1988, Rubberatkins problem solving capabilities are recognised as industry leading within the down hole and surface sealing sectors. Providing flexible solutions to a worldwide client base, the firm offers a local and responsive service from its offices in Houston and Aberdeen. For further information call 1-713-784-8640 or visit www.rubberatkins.com.

Rubberatkins will exhibit at stand 2563-9.

Banchory Boys Club Under 13s has been given a ‘kick start’ to their first season at competitive level. Rubber moulding, design and manufacturing company Rubberatkins Ltd has provided the Deeside club with 18 new away kits. Currently playing in League A in the Aberdeen District Juvenile Football League, the team which was first formed over 5 years ago, recently reached the quarter-finals of the BATT Cables Trophy and is in the fourth round of the Colony Park Cup.

Nick Atkins, managing director of Rubberatkins says, “Banchory Boys Club is a rising local team that is showing much promise. Ranked one of the top ten teams in Aberdeenshire, this season is a very important one for the club as it is their first one at competitive level.

“It is important that from a young age, children are given the tools required to build and develop their sporting capabilities. As a big sports fan and local Deeside resident, I wanted to sponsor Banchory Boys Club during this milestone season. I am always keen to support the progression of talent and it will be an honour to play a part in helping the team to reach their full potential. Neil Findlay our customer accounts manager coaches the team so he will be keeping us up to date on their progress. We wish the squad all the best for the coming season and hope that their new away kits will bring the club much deserved victories.”

Rubberatkins Managing Director Nick Atkins and fellow director Jill Webster signed up to Wing Walk for Urological cancer charity UCAN, as part of the Emmerdale Extravaganza at Inchmarlo Golf Course in June.  The charity is hoping to raise £2million over the next three years to create facilities in Aberdeen so scientists can undertake pioneering research, raise awareness of the disease and cancer sufferers can be cared for to the highest standard.