Rubberatkins Ltd has entered into a partnership with Bridge of Don Academy with aim to facilitate greater collaboration between schools and businesses in the region.

This new partnership aims to raise awareness of the careers and skills required to work in an oil and gas manufacturing company and provides the school with a committed business partner to support the activity to prepare young people for the world of work.

“We are delighted to be able to collaborate with Bridge of Don Academy and hope we can make a lasting impact on our local young people. We're looking forward to raising more awareness on employability skills, allowing pupils to be more prepared for the work place, and of course from a company perspective raise our brand awareness to encourage pupils to join our team in the future.” said Claire Grant, Rubberatkins’ HR Manager to commemorate the moment.

We are looking forward to working with Bridge of Don Academy in providing real life contexts to pupils’ learning experience.

After their amazing performance during Saturday’s game against Dunfermline at Countesswells, Gordonians win (60-15) reinforced their well deserved promotion to National 3.

Rubberatkins, as a proud sponsor of the club, would like to congratulate the team and we are sure they will do well in the new division. We cannot wait for the new season.

Go Gordonians!!

On the 8th of April Team Rubberatkins took part in the Houston Charity Golf Tournament, which was played to benefit the Texas Children’s Hospital. We were also a proud sponsor of the 18th hole!

With some help of friends we entered the competition as two teams. Nick, Danny, Juan and Chris as Team 1 and Mark, Lisa, Scott and another Nick as Team 2. For some of us it was the first time to pick up a club, while others were definite ringers and saved the game.

Our two teams tied, and while neither of us won the tournament, we had a great day which ended with Nick winning tickets to watch our Houston Astros play baseball, and Mark winning a new Shop Vac! It was a beautiful day and a great deal of money was raised for a very worthy cause! We are all looking forward to next year’s event!

Bridge of Don Academy held an open evening for parents and pupils to gain more details on the company, industries, any job/training opportunities and provide general careers advice.

Rubberatkins’ Head of Elastomer Technology, Himanshu Verma, delivered a presentation titled Working with Polymers helping students understand the complex world of natural and synthetic polymers.

Following the successful launch of Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, Aberdeen firm Rubberatkins can now proudly boast to having components they manufactured in orbit 485 miles above the earth.

Rubberatkins manufactured specialist elastomeric diaphragms for the propellant tanks used within the Iridium satellites which are responsible for mobile phone communication worldwide.

Nick Atkins, MD of Rubberatkins commented: “It is exciting and rather cool to think that a component we manufactured here in Aberdeen is now in orbit above us. It is a great compliment for Rubberatkins employees to have been selected as a supplier for such an important satellite component based on our outstanding technical capabilities and quality.”

Rubberatkins has been successfully moulding these specialist diaphragms, responsible for separating the propellant, hydrazine from pressurised gas, for the past four years. Exacting Clean Room Manufacturing and Inspection are required to prevent material contamination.

A Scottish firm is flying high after supplying specialist parts for the next generation of space-going communications satellites.

Rubberatkins, an Aberdeen based rubber moulding firm, provided components for part of a planned new mobile phone network circling nearly 500 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Elon Musk’s Space-X project provided the reusable rocket to deliver the payload into low orbit.

The Tesla founder and Pay Pal entrepreneur’s plans to dominate the space race faced a major set-back when one of his craft exploded during refuelling at Cape Canaveral last September.

But the firm celebrated a successful launch and return of the second stage rocket to Earth on Saturday.

Rubberatkins, which has been delivering specialised moulded products since 1988, manufactured specialist elastomeric diaphragms used in the propellant tanks for Iridium’s 10 satellites.

The diaphragms are responsible for separating the propellant, hydrazine, from pressurised gas.

Nick Atkins, MD of Rubberatkins commented: “It is exciting and rather cool to think that a component we manufactured here in Aberdeen is now in orbit above us.

“It is a great compliment for Rubberatkins employees to have been selected as a supplier for such an important satellite component based on our outstanding technical capabilities and quality.”

The satellite network will eventually form part of a communications “constellation” providing global coverage.

The 10 that were delivered on Saturday will be tested in low orbit before being moved to a current generation device before taking over responsibility.

The old devices will be de-orbited once the new network is in place.

www.energyvoice.com/other-news/129069/scots-firm-rubberatkins-supplies-space-parts/

Team Rubberatkins let their hair down and partied till early hours at Copthorne Hotel this past weekend.

Christmas parties are always epic when you get a team like ours.

Check out our corporate video just in case you have not met the team yet.

HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HKZARS5O6A8

Rubberatkins’ Thermanite® sealing material was specifically developed for high-temperature applications and has proven effective in the containment of superheated steam such as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage and cyclic steam stimulation.

Steam injection has posed significant challenges to elastomeric seals over the years, with conventional seals failing early in the steam injection cycle resulting in less than desired optimal oil recovery.

Steam injected in conventional slotted liner wells disperses unevenly, with effective heating near the heel but poor heating at the toe of the well.

The Thermanite cups and packing elements ensure optimal heat distribution and minimal temperature loss across the full length of the pipe with zero loss of steam from the injector and producer wells. This provides an increase in efficiency and leads to greater oil production.

Thermanite® provides a sealing solution for harsh conditions where temperatures can reach 600F and provides resistance to sour gas and crude oil.

We’re pleased to announce that our resident Oystercatchers hatched their eggs successfully. They lived in the shelter provided by our skips, and they were soon big enough for their parents to lead them away to live somewhere a bit quieter - perhaps in the grassy area beside our factory.

We don’t know whether the twins are boys or girls, but they are certainly little cuties, and we wish them all the best!

Saturday 11th June saw the months of preparation, blisters, sweating and begging finally come to a conclusion as the Rubberlovers took part in the Caledonian Challenge 54. We headed across to Fort William the day before, with hope in our hearts and enough food to satisfy Homer Simpson for a month. The midges and the damp weather weren’t enough to dull our spirits, and by 6am we were up and getting ready. At 8am we were cheered off at the starting line by our support crews, the sun was almost shining and Martins was driving the pace early on. We made the first checkpoint 10 miles in a good time, but even this early on the cracks were beginning to show – literally. Keiths wife Alison was on foot nurse duties, and we were all applying compeeds and plasters trying to stave off the inevitable blisters. Liane had taken a box of fudge though, so it was all ok. The next stage was 13 miles, from Glen Nevis to Kinlochleven. This one involved hills, the feet started to hurt a little more and the pace slowed down, although this time Andy Wallace was the man in the lead, showing his youngers how real men do it.

The stop at Kinlochleven involved some slightly more serious foot care, plates of stovies were hoovered up and thoughts turned to the 5 miles of uphill struggle that the veterans knew followed this checkpoint. Keith walked with us for this next section, and provided the kind of support and comfort that only Keith can. The rain started falling, and once we had finally crested the top of the devils staircase we could see in the distance the next checkpoint at Glen Coe. This checkpoint didn’t get any closer for around 3 hours, but eventually, (after Andy going down with cramp and screaming like he’d been shot) we slowly crept into the next checkpoint – now 34 miles and around 13 hours in. This was the last checkpoint our support crews could meet us at, so we made the most of it – a warm seat in a campervan, change of clothes, gaffer tape on some feet and red cross intervention on others. An hour after getting in, we were ready to go. It was starting to get dark now, and we headed off thinking at least that the midges wouldn’t come out at night. Apparently we were wrong, word must have gotten around the local midge communities and they were waiting in ambush for us – no amount of smidge or skin so soft made any difference. They must have sucked some essential energies out of us, by the time we arrived at the next checkpoint around 2am bodies were starting to fail. A hot meal, some fresh bandages from the red cross and the taking out of a portaloo saw us set off on the final stage, determined to cross the finish line. This section really took some strength of character, by now our bodies really were starting to fail – Martins had a walking pole gaffer taped to his leg in true Bear Grylls style after pulling something, and the hot meal Andy had eaten at the last checkpoint made a surprising reappearance.

The last hill nearly killed one or two of us, but we drove us on, and we pulled ourselves over the finish line. Karolina, Andrew and Alex (our rubber from another mother) finished at around 23 hours and 20 minutes, and Andy, Martins and myself crossed over at 23 hours and 43 minutes. Job done. 88% of all participants in the walk completed it, which I think works out at around 100 who did not finish – quite a high number and it highlights just how tough it is.

We raised over £2,600 for Foundation Scotland, which is a fantastic amount of money and well over our target – thanks to all of you who contributed in any way. Thanks as well to our support crews, Liane & her mum, Keith & Alison (without Alison not all of us would have finished!) and my folks. We’re all on the road to recovery now, the injuries will become forgotten and at some point some idiot will suggest doing it again…

About two weeks ago a pair of noisy Oystercatchers laid 3 eggs beside the Rubberatkins’ factory entrance.

Eggs, cleverly laid in a safe place where the foxes of the area cannot get them, are carefully guarded by both parents. We look forward to seeing the babies!

A dozen or so of us took on the gruelling challenge of paintball in the mud, rain and even snow!

After a few bumps and bruises along with a lot of bullets flying everywhere everyone had a laugh with a few talking points as usual.

Our Go Karting Grand Prix continues. As reported by Greg, our special commentator, the latest events were as follow:

Karting in September

Race 1 was an all-out battle from front to back with Andy Gault coming out on top.

Race 2 was the case of the tortoise and the hare as Jill popped up on the podium after cautiously going about the track avoiding any crashes (which there were many) with Tom coming first and John having a controversial DQ due to being a loose cannon!

Karting in November

Race 1 – Tom claimed his second trophy after a hard-fought battle where there were four karts within a couple of seconds of each other!

Race 2 – Andy as well claimed his second top spot after avoiding any crashes and cruising to the finish line in a fast-paced race with a few controversial crashing and bashing.

Rubberatkins Managing Director Nick Atkins was invited to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new facility in the KGV Park on Sunday the 15th of Nov.

Nick has come to the rescue of a local community in donating a set of steel cabins that have been turned into a State of the art Changing Room Facility for local sports activities. The cabins were initially being used as a temporary structure at Rubberatkins as their Test facility in Bridge of Don and became available after the New Extension was completed.

The structure – consisting of 5 sturdy metal units- was transported to the King George V Playing fields in Banchory, Aberdeenshire early this year where upon they were renovated into a modern changing facility.

Today we joined a wonderful, national initiative for the second year in a row and held the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning initiated by the Macmillan Cancer Support.

As always our dedicated team of bakers delivered above any expectations and we all enjoyed heavenly cakes and muffins along with our morning coffees.

Rubberatkins team raised £434.36 and we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations.

Let’s see how well we can do next year!!!

On the 24th of September 2015 the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre hosted the 12th annual Northern Star Business Awards, which recognise companies from the northeast for their accomplishments across a range of fields.

Rubberatkins was one of the thirty-nine finalists. We were nominated in the Green Category. Despite not winning the award we had a great evening and felt honoured that our ‘green’ efforts were recognised.

We congratulate Sureclean Ltd on their win and promise to continue our commitment to creating a cleaner, greener and carbon-neutral business.

In order to preserve an iconic Royal Deeside bridge Aberdeenshire Council has launched a new initiative aimed at dissuading amorous couples from attaching love locks to the Falls of Feugh footbridge.

The council-owned bridge, on the outskirts of Banchory, is a popular spot among tourists and residents for a romantic walks and salmon watching. However, over recent years the bridge’s parapets have become covered with love locks, leading to complaints from locals and visitors.

The structural damage they can cause is a very real concern. The council does not want to discourage couples visiting the spot, so a unique attraction has been unveiled on Tuesday, September 22nd.

Graeme Winram of Lethenty Cabinetmakers has hand-carved a bespoke love-heart wooden sculpture featuring two leaping salmon in to the face of a solid-oak love heart which has been installed beside the bridge.

The idea is for visitors to take a selfie with the sculpture, positioned so that the dramatic falls are in the background, then upload it to social media using the internationally recognised hashtag #LoveWithoutLocks.

We are pleased to announce that Rubberatkins has been short-listed as one of the finalists of the Northern Star Business Awards to receive the Green Award. Our commitment to the environment has always been strong and we implemented a number of practices to prove our genuine interest in our planet's future. You can read more about Rubberatkins' very own wind turbine, electric pool cars and other green initiatives here on our website. Wish us luck!!!

We did it!!!

On a beautiful Sunday morning, on May 17th our keen group of runners completed the Baker Hughes 10k race in Aberdeen. We are very pleased with our results and most of all with the generous donations received toward our charity of choice. We are pleased to contribute £357 to Cash for Kids.

We will do it all over again next year, so look for the black tops.

Thank you for your support.

In order to celebrate our 27th Birthday, we organised a Bake Sale in our headquarters in Aberdeen.

It was a good laugh as always, accompanied by some fine home-baked goods brought by our employees. All of the proceeds generated on the day were doubled by our Managing Director Nick Atkins and donated to Cash for Kids. This made the total raised £350.