The story of Industrial Impregnations and the origins of casting impregnation in the UK

An extract from the SLOUGH OBSERVER, Friday, February 4, 1966

'From a Wooden Shed to a World-Wide Business'

JANUARY 25 (1966) marked the 20th anniversary of Industrial Impregnations Ltd., and the 21st anniversary of its impregnation services.

The company was born in an old wooden and tin shed in Brentford 21 years ago, when founder, Mr. Percy Joseph Young, father of the present managing director, then a production superintendent at E.M.I., Hayes, opened his first casting impregnation shop.

On a capital of £150 he obtained premises, an old iron bath for 10s., a small simple curing oven, and a tank for washing castings after impregnation. Considerable interest was shown in his activities and a limited company was formed in January 1946, one year after his service began.

The services offered by Industrial Impregnations might well be described as a type of insurance business, the sealing of metal castings against liquid and gas seepage (even under pressure), caused by porosity. All types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals may be impregnated, also plastic mouldings, which are subject to leakage.

New Premises

Apart from a few minor teething troubles, the company grew and in a matter of four years the tiny shed (150 sq. ft.) was found to be too small to cope with the demand for this service.

At this time about 30 cwt of castings per week were being impregnated, comparing with between 50 and 70 tons per week today.

Larger premises at Poyle Estate, Colnbrook, were found in 1950 and more modern equipment was purchased, including the company's first Autoclave for vacuum impregnation. (The Autoclave is like a large vat, measuring about 3-ft 6-ins in diameter and 5-ft deep, and is used to impregnate the castings).

After a short time it became necessary to erect an extension to these premises, to give a total production area of 5000 sq. ft.

By now, the company was becoming well established and progressive, but certain difficulties were being experienced in finding suitable impregnating materials, so a development programme was introduced to develop and produce, top quality and versatile impregnating materials. This resulted in the company being the founders of what is known today as the polyester resin system.

As more and more manufacturers in all types of industry came to hear of the services of Industrial Impregnations and of its advantages, the demand grew and the service was handling all types of mouldings and castings, including such items as carburettors, cylinder heads for the car industry, industrial pumps and valves and many more.

One of Industrial Impregnations first clients was Crompton Parkinson Ltd., of Chelmsford.

Another Move

To cope with the ever increasing demand for their service, the company moved in March, 1962, to another part of Poyle Estate, and this time an area of 12,000 sq. ft. was purchased. Now, in 1966, the company is considering further extensions to meet the still growing demand for the vacuum impregnation treatment of ferrous and non-ferrous castings, sintered parts etc.

In 1964 the company became a member of the Curzon Industrial Investment Group, whose main interests are in special metal treatments.

At this time, Mr. Young's son, Peter, joined the board, having joined the company 13 years previously at the age of 17. His training in the business covered all aspects of technical research, administration etc., and he was appointed managing director, when his father retired from full time activities, although today, over 70 years of age, he is still available in a consultative capacity.

Timeline

Three generations spanning 70 years in Casting Impregnation

• 1945

  Percy Young started Industrial Impregnations Ltd

• 1950

  World 1st: Industrial Impregnations develop polyester resin system for casting impregnation

• 1967

  Peter Young (Percy's son) started Ultraseal Ltd (Ultraseal International Ltd)

• 1976

  World 1st: Peter develops the 'PC504 Methacrylate Sealant and System', which is patented and supplied worldwide, setting the standard for today's technology

• 1976-79

  Peter's sons, Stephen, Michael & Paul, join Ultraseal

• 1987-92

  World 1st: Peter develops Top Load/Front Load MX Rotational Impregnation equipment, including the Caskade wash system

• 1989

  World 1st: Peter develops MX Recycling Sealant and System

• 1993

  Paul Young started MecWash Systems Ltd

• 1998

  Peter Young and sons started MX Systems Ltd

• 2002

  World 1st: MX Systems develop the 'Auto-Seal' Twin Chamber Impregnation System, the first two-step impregnation process

• 2014

  Midland Impregnations formed by Paul Young & Chris Arrowsmith of Midland Deburr & Finish Ltd.

• 2016

  Paul Young starts Impregnation Solutions Ltd to develop alternative methods of impregnation and launches the Spot-Seal Selective Impregnation Gun and range of Sealants.