K Rend
K Rend is the UK’s largest independent pre-mixed silicone render manufacture. It is a market leader in the UK and Ireland render market for over 25 years K Rend has offered a high quality extensive range of silicone renders and finishes, designed to give a durable weatherproof coating and a natural finish.
History
K Rend is one of 3 divisions of Kilwaughter Chemical Co Ltd was founded in 1939 by Charles S McDowell and Gerald McGladery. Limestone had been quarried and burned with anthracite or coal in open shaft kilns at Kilwaughter for more than one hundred years previously. Once burned the stone was converted to hydrated lime in the hydrating plant. It was used in many linen factories as well as in building and the whitewashing of farm houses. The burnt lime was used in agriculture, mortar and in town gas plants.
After the war Gerald McGladery took over the Belfast operation, known as Kilco Chemicals, while Charles McDowell became the sole proprietor of Kilwaughter Chemical Co Ltd. In the nineteen fifties a milling machine was installed to make coarse powdered agricultural limestone.Burnt lime became too expensive for farming so that ground limestone quickly displaced it. Substantial government subsidies assisted sales of ‘aglime’ Agricultural lime In 1964 Charles’s son, John McDowell joined the business. Charles retired in 1966
In 1989 the company manufactured it’s first render products, K Rend. After an initial three years of developing the products and getting a foothold in the market the business steadily expanded to where it is today. Now in it’s 25th year the K Rend brand has firmly established itself as a market leader. K Rend are the only UK manufacturer to incorporate in-house innovative silicone technology and are one of the first render manufacturers to have achieved the prestigious Kitemark license assuring vital quality, product safety and performance requirements are met.
John’s sons, Simon and Chris, joined the company in the nineties. They took over full operational responsibility in 2001. They have overseen massive reinvestment in new plant increasing capacity leading to efficiencies and ensuring sustainable growth in all sectors. One of the biggest changes over 75 years has been in mechanisation. In the 1930s horses and hand pushed bogies were used for transport within the quarry. All the stone was lifted manually until the mid-1950s when a rope face shovel was introduced. A lot has changed since then with the company heavily investing in machinery as it has expanded. Another big change has been the utilisation of computer technology both for the control of machinery and revolutionising office life.
Technological Developments
As with most manufacturing and construction industries the render market has developed vastly in the last 2 decadesThe product is sources and produced on site. Research and development is a continuous process that provides new answers to the changing needs and experiences of customersThe K Rend manufacturing plant has some of the most advanced
production facilities in Europe, using some of the most elaborate and state of the art technology. Driven by market requirements and the emerging opportunities presented through the development of new technology K rend production facilities were designed with the environment, our customers and future growth in mind. Our company carries three important accreditations:
ISO 9001 a certified quality management system (QMS) proving our ability to consistently provide products and services that meet the needs of our customers and other relevant stakeholders. Kite Mark Accreditation.
ISO 14001: an internationally accepted standard that outlines how to put an effective environmental management system in place. Our Environment Management System is certified to ISO 14001 standard. Kite Mark Accreditation.
OHSAS 18001 an occupational Health & Safety Management System.
History
K Rend is one of 3 divisions of Kilwaughter Chemical Co Ltd was founded in 1939 by Charles S McDowell and Gerald McGladery. Limestone had been quarried and burned with anthracite or coal in open shaft kilns at Kilwaughter for more than one hundred years previously. Once burned the stone was converted to hydrated lime in the hydrating plant. It was used in many linen factories as well as in building and the whitewashing of farm houses. The burnt lime was used in agriculture, mortar and in town gas plants.
After the war Gerald McGladery took over the Belfast operation, known as Kilco Chemicals, while Charles McDowell became the sole proprietor of Kilwaughter Chemical Co Ltd. In the nineteen fifties a milling machine was installed to make coarse powdered agricultural limestone.Burnt lime became too expensive for farming so that ground limestone quickly displaced it. Substantial government subsidies assisted sales of ‘aglime’ Agricultural lime In 1964 Charles’s son, John McDowell joined the business. Charles retired in 1966
In 1989 the company manufactured it’s first render products, K Rend. After an initial three years of developing the products and getting a foothold in the market the business steadily expanded to where it is today. Now in it’s 25th year the K Rend brand has firmly established itself as a market leader. K Rend are the only UK manufacturer to incorporate in-house innovative silicone technology and are one of the first render manufacturers to have achieved the prestigious Kitemark license assuring vital quality, product safety and performance requirements are met.
John’s sons, Simon and Chris, joined the company in the nineties. They took over full operational responsibility in 2001. They have overseen massive reinvestment in new plant increasing capacity leading to efficiencies and ensuring sustainable growth in all sectors. One of the biggest changes over 75 years has been in mechanisation. In the 1930s horses and hand pushed bogies were used for transport within the quarry. All the stone was lifted manually until the mid-1950s when a rope face shovel was introduced. A lot has changed since then with the company heavily investing in machinery as it has expanded. Another big change has been the utilisation of computer technology both for the control of machinery and revolutionising office life.
Technological Developments
As with most manufacturing and construction industries the render market has developed vastly in the last 2 decadesThe product is sources and produced on site. Research and development is a continuous process that provides new answers to the changing needs and experiences of customersThe K Rend manufacturing plant has some of the most advanced
production facilities in Europe, using some of the most elaborate and state of the art technology. Driven by market requirements and the emerging opportunities presented through the development of new technology K rend production facilities were designed with the environment, our customers and future growth in mind. Our company carries three important accreditations:
ISO 9001 a certified quality management system (QMS) proving our ability to consistently provide products and services that meet the needs of our customers and other relevant stakeholders. Kite Mark Accreditation.
ISO 14001: an internationally accepted standard that outlines how to put an effective environmental management system in place. Our Environment Management System is certified to ISO 14001 standard. Kite Mark Accreditation.
OHSAS 18001 an occupational Health & Safety Management System.
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