Rushden Research Group: Ferrafoam

Northamptonshire Advertiser, 4^th December 1964

Ferrafoam

This is a laminating machine, on which the foam is bonded to the fabric. Maurice Richardson (left) and Basil Barnett make sure everything is
set right before switching on.

Rushden Firm is the Centre of a New Idea

THE average man's heavy tweed overcoat can cost anything up to £20 and weigh anything over half a stone. But today, using a material which is produced in great quantities in Rushden, that same coat—to all intents and purposes — can be made at a greatly reduced price and at a fraction of the weight.

Each day and every day random tests are made.

Each yard of material entering the factory is inspected for general quality. Carrying out an inspection is Mr. Fred Wiggins.	Testing the adhesive strength of the foam is an important part of Ferrafoam's quality control. John Rowthorn makes anote of the "pull" on this piece of material.

This new material—and it is new as far as the garment industry is concerned—is foam. Foam-backed wool, fur, nylon, silk . . you name it and the Ferrafoam division of W. W. Chamberlain and Sons Ltd., John Street, Rushden, will foam laminate it.

Foam is sandwiched between fleece on the inside and an outside material.

This material—fleece—has already gone through the laminating machine. Checking the quality is Mr. Les Abbott.	Checking the foam is Peter Fane. At any given time the firm has about half-a-million yards in stock.

This coat was made from foam laminated brushed nylon, which was produced at Ferrafoam’s John Street factory.

It was made for the director in charge, Mr. J. A. Chapman by a Rushden tailor.

This factory in a small back street of Rushden is one of the country's main centres for the biggest and most forward-looking idea to hit the garment industry since synthetic fibre.

And as "Rushden and Higham Ferrers made" means something in the boot and shoe industry, so the Ferrafoam stamp means something in the garment world.

Mr. A. J. Chapman, director in charge of Ferrafoam, said: "This unit has been set up by standards laid down by one of the largest multiple stores in the country."

Ferrafoam's main objective is to get the trade re-educated on the whole concept of foam laminated materials and away from some of the bad impressions created in the early days. At one time many fabrics were foamed just to sell.

[Part of a longer article]

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