Rapidrop is a British manufacturer and supplier of fire sprinklers and suppression equipment. The company offers tailored solutions from its worldwide sales and distribution network. UK & Ireland Sales Manager Afolabi Akinsanya, Director Martyn Curran and Director Martyn Willimer discussed sustainability initiatives and investments for the future. Report by Antonia Cole.
Since its establishment in 2003, Rapidrop has significantly grown its presence around the world, Director Martyn Willimer said: “In our first four years, we were only exporting to 22 countries. We expanded very quickly and now export to over 80 countries. With distributions centres located in the UK, Poland, Denmark, Netherlands, Dubai and India, we have an extensive global network. We have over 130 members of staff working around the world to deliver fire safety products and protect lives.”
Headquartered in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Rapidrop’s origins date back to 1983 with the incorporation of IFI, an industrial fastener, fixing, sealant and adhesive company. In 1998, IFI introduced flexible sprinkler pipe connections, which led to the creation of Rapidrop. IFI Group became Rapidrop Global in 2010, focusing on the production of fire sprinkler heads for commercial applications and serving the needs of the fire detection and suppression industries worldwide.
Rapidrop was the first company to gain LPCB approval for flexible sprinkler
connections. This passion for fire safety has continued and the company is an active member in relevant industry groups including BAFSA and EFSN. Through this, Rapidrop is able to stay engaged with market developments and thereby have an impact of the sector’s future.
“Rapidrop has the right products and the right attitude,” added UK & Ireland Sales Manager Afolabi Akinsanya. “There are constantly new changes and challen-ges, but we are focused on innovation and are always ready to adapt to evolving circumstances. We deliver on quality, service and safety. It’s great to know we’re making a difference.”
Product innovation
The first product created by the Rapidrop fire division was the flexible sprinkler hose connection. This product is an alternative solution to the traditional hard pipe method which reduces installation time and costs. It is an adjustable corrugated stainless steel connection, removing the need for cutting, threading and precise measurements.
“Since the introduction of the flexible sprinkler connection, we have expanded our product range to offer full-package solutions,” explained Mr Willimer. “We attract clients because we offer something different, but it is important that we are meeting all of their demands. Therefore, we heavily invested in R&D and manufacturing and took the big step to manufacture fire sprinklers with internationally recognised approvals at our facility based in the UK. Offering these products to the market has taken us from strength to strength all around the world.”
Rapidrop’s ability to manufacture products in the UK has given the company an increased agility and control over its portfolio. The company can bring new products to market quickly and can efficiently customise equipment features to suit client requirements.
As Rapidrop operates in many different countries, the company adapts its structure to suit the demands of each market. With teams based around the world, Rapidrop is able to identify what adjustments are necessary to drive the company’s growth forward in specific locations.
“We are quick to react to the market,” continued Mr Akinsanya. “Having the right industry knowledge and facilities means that we can continuously innovate and lead the sector. We make sure to work really closely with people, whether that be our clients, partners or suppliers. Engaging in
those conversations, understanding their needs and delivering individual solutions has built strong trust in our relationships.
“The fact that we are both manufacturers and distributors is also a significant benefit for us.
We understand the entire process, from the initial design to the product reaching the end-user. Our expertise offers the right support to our clients, setting them up for success.”
Minimising impacts
As Rapidrop provides full solutions to its clients, the number of deliveries required is reduced. The company is able to deliver everything the client needs in one trip, minimising transportation time and emissions. Rapidrop has also worked to become zero waste to landfill, implementing recycling initiatives and minimising packaging materials. The company has reduced its internal manufacturing waste by more than half.
“Recently, we acquired ISO 14001 accreditation,” commented Director Martyn Curran. “It was quite a straightforward process, as we already had the necessary practices in place. What we saw as normal practice, was already up to the required standards for certification approval. This was really good for us and has set us on the way to improving our environmental impact even further.
Over the past year, Rapidrop has upgraded its fleet of delivery vans to be more environmentally-friendly. This investment has increased the company’s efficiency by approximately 15% and provides a better service to clients. Additionally, Rapidrop has limited its water use in operations by 25% in the last year.
The company regularly invests in new machinery to optimise production. By implementing semi-automated production lines, Rapidrop has reduced energy consumption and improved manufacturing accuracy. As the company completes the majority of its own manufacturing and assembly processes, it is essential that its machinery is modern and efficient.
“We also collaborate with our suppliers in an ongoing process to improve sustainability,” added Mr Curran. “This involves reducing plastics in packaging and paying attention to the impact of the entire supply chain. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor for our clients.
Inspiring people
It is essential that we are improving the impact of our supply chain so that we can meet these client demands. Environmental management is something that has been driving us forward and we intend to continue our progress on this journey.”
Rapidrop has worked on many prestigious projects, both in the UK and abroad. From the Shard in London to Galeria Korona in Poland, the company has installed a range of its products in large, high-rise buildings. With such a diverse portfolio, Rapidrop is able to meet these clients’ needs and guarantee safety.
“We relied on our supplier relationships to make these projects a success,” said Mr Willimer. “Partnerships have been a key part of our business over the years. We have maintained some of these relationships for over 30 years. We are loyal, consistent and honest, which makes it really easy to establish these long-term partnerships.
Our clients trust that we know what we’re doing and will deliver the best results. This keeps them coming back, which then benefits our suppliers too.”
To build trust with clients, Rapidrop created a training and development centre that showcases its products. Clients, technicians and installers can receive hands-on training for the products, giving them an understanding of how these products work and an insight into the wider industry. The company is encouraging more young people to engage with the sector through these workshops. Offering educational opportunities aims to inspire younger generations to enter the sprinkler market.
“It is great to see young people starting to enter the industry,” continued Mr Akinsanya. “New ideas and innovations are what drives the sector forward. We are constantly evolving and plan to keep growing in this direction.” n
