Thomas Armstrong (Holdings) is based at Rowlands Gill, near Newcastle upon Tyne. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of aerated, lightweight and dense aggregate load bearing concrete blocks using the very latest aircrete production technology, which are supplied to both housebuilders and builders merchants across the north of England. The company is a long-standing user of horizontal strapping equipment to secure the void packs of blocks in the correct position, ready to be moved by fork lift truck to the despatch area.

Reliable strapping is critical not just for optimal pack presentation but also for health and safety reasons given the weight of the blocks, so when the company decided to invest in new equipment, the Strapex H40U-C fully automatic horizontal strapping machine was the obvious choice.

Ian Geddes of Thomas Armstrong explained: 'We had used Orgapack Strapex equipment for a number of years and had been very happy with its performance'.

'By staying with the company, we also did not need to retrain staff in using unfamiliar equipment.' When the blocks leave the kiln, they are lifted by a gripper arm and stacked four or five levels high on a conveyor.

The load is then transferred to the strapper where, depending on the height, one or two straps are applied, tensioned, sealed and cut.

The new machine is currently strapping up to 500 packs each day.

Ian Geddes continued: 'The other factor in our choice was versatility - the machine needed to be able to cope with four or five different sizes and shapes of packs without time-consuming reprogramming'.

'The Strapex H40U-C is very simple to use and downtime is kept to an absolute minimum'.

'We are delighted with our choice and the strapping quality being achieved.' Scott Macpherson of Strapex added: 'Thomas Armstrong's reputation is built on significant investment the very best materials and technology available and we are proud to be a part of that'.

'The construction industry tests the durability and performance of strapping equipment to the limit and it is a sector where we continue to invest and achieve long-term partnerships with many leading players.' Strapex is one of the world's leading suppliers of end of line strapping and stretchwrapping equipment.

A wide range of fully and semi automatic machinery, hand tools and consumables is available, along with full training and ongoing product support.