Applied Felts, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) felt liners, owned by parent company, W.E. Rawson Group, was formed in the United Kingdom in 1865. After more than a century of specialty textiles experience, this knowledge was expanded to help create the CIPP process, as well as its first liners in the late 1970s. Now, more than 30 years later, Applied Felts has become the international leader in supplying liners for successful CIPP installations around the world.

In 1997 Applied Felts expanded its business to the United States by adding a manufacturing facility in Martinsville, Virginia. This move opened up a world of opportunity and contributed to the rapid growth of what has become the world’s largest market for CIPP rehabilitation. This extensive history and experience gave Applied Felts’ customers peace of mind in knowing that they can enter the market, rely on Applied Felts for training and support, compete confidently and get the best custom liners to fit their unique needs.

Commercial Director Simon Senior said “The relationships we share with our clients boil down to one thing, and that is trust.

“We are confident that we manufacture the best liners available, but if we can’t supply products that will successfully perform with our customers’ practices to install them, no one wins. As a result, the purchase of quality Applied Felts liners is just the beginning of our customer relationships.

“We also serve as a complete solution provider, standing behind and supporting our customers every step of the way through our experience and industry affiliations. We are aware that every relining job is different, and each project almost always provides challenges and unique situations that require experience to get the job done right. So we are readily available to answer questions and make sure that installations are successful every time.”

Testing the product

Applied Felts is a 100 per cent vertically integrated, ISO-certified liner manufacturer, which guarantees that every phase of manufacturing – from the purchase of raw fibre to the coating and development of their liners – is done at one location, providing impeccable precision and control. Their innovative liners are subjected to a rigorous 28 stage testing system during every phase of the manufacturing process.

At the Applied Felts’ manufacturing facilities, they begin with the basics. First, they inspect and test raw materials, such as polyester fibres, polyurethane granules and other materials to ensure a superior quality basis for the felt liners they produce. During the five stage felt production process, a number of criteria are tested including density, thickness, fibre distribution evenness, strength and weld-ability of the finished felt. Next comes the coating of the felt with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure quality throughout. During this phase, four separate tests are conducted to monitor coating uniformity, mass and weight distribution.

Once the felt has been coated, each roll is sampled and destructively tested across a total of nine quality characteristics, including density at various pressures, tensile strength, coating distribution and more. During production, the testing does not end. The liners are continually checked to ensure they satisfy the specifications of each customer’s order. Finally, when the project is complete, a sample is cut from each finished liner and is tested across yet another seven criteria to make sure the circumference, density, length, coating integrity, weld strengths and other properties meet and exceed exacting requirements.

The result? Some of the best quality CIPP liners available worldwide.

Applied Felts’ clientele includes small contractors, large contractors, municipalities and others who demand quality felt liners. Regardless of client size, Applied Felts is with them at every turn, because they know that each job – large or small – is another chance to cultivate customer relationships, build the trust that helps both parties succeed, and continue to grow the trenchless industry together.

For more information, please visit www.appliedfelts.com