The Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC), the UK research and promotion centre of the Malaysian Rubber Board, recently held a ‘Gateway to the Malaysian Rubber Industry Open Day’ to celebrate its 80th Anniversary at its laboratories at Brickendonbury, Hertford.
Eight Malaysian manufacturers met over 100 guests from the global rubber industry, including rubber scientists, technologists, academics and industrialists from across Europe, North America and Australia. The day provided a great platform for buyers/importers/distributors of rubber-based products and materials to meet face-to-face with Malaysian manufacturers in the UK and discuss topics of mutual interest.
The Open Day was planned for the week when the TARRC Board also met for its 2018 AGM, providing the perfect opportunity for Board members to meet with scientists, technologists and engineers as well as with TARRC’s business and research contacts.
Guests were also able to visit the laboratories accompanied by TARRC staff who all proved to be very informative guides. Visitors were given short presentations at each area including biotechnology, microscopy, mill room, engineering and tyre technology.
All these facilities are available to clients worldwide through TARRC’s commercial unit, Rubber Consultants, www.rubberconsultants.com that provides testing and R&D services for the polymer-related industry.
TARRC, throughout its lifetime has been able to attract staff of the highest calibre and has continued to do so in key fields. Some of the familiar names include; Rivlin, Thomas, Mullins, Schallamach, Lindley to name but a few. Among past members of staff and Board members are a Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry in 1937, three Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS) – in connection with their work at TARRC, and five who were inducted into the University of Akron Hall of Fame. Fifteen have been honoured with the Colwyn Medal, six have received the Hancock Medal, from the Institution of the Rubber Industry, UK, and several others have received the Charles Goodyear Medal, George Stafford Whitby Award, and Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award from the USA. TARRC itself was honoured with the Prince Philip Award for Services to Mankind in 1990 for developing natural rubber-steel laminated base isolation bearings for protecting buildings from earthquakes.
Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor, Director General of the Malaysian Rubber Board and Chairman of the TARRC Board along with Dr Fauzi Mohd Som, TARRC CEO, welcomed all visitors to Brickendonbury on the back lawn for a cake cutting ceremony with the Board and commemorative plaque presentation.
As part of the day, visitors were then treated to a traditional Malaysian lunch including well-known favourites chicken satay and beef rendang that was enjoyed by everyone!
As part of this ‘Rubber Week’ for the Malaysian manufacturers, visits were made to two factories, Clwyd Compounders Ltd in Wrexham to see their new facility and Plastic Products International Ltd in Harlow who supply customers including Volkswagen, Bentley Motors, Aston Martin and other Tier 1 suppliers.