Enhancing Efficiency and Compliance in Contract Furniture Manufacturing
Background
A leading UK-based contract furniture manufacturer had made the move to water-based coatings in response to growing environmental and health regulations. However, their existing water-based system, supplied by another vendor, was creating new problems rather than solving old ones.
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Drying Times: Exceeding 12 hours, slowing production and requiring overnight curing
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Finish Quality: Inconsistent appearance, poor durability, and lack of surface hardness
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Compliance Pressure: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) raised concerns about certain use of chemicals within the clients paint usage.
“We switched to water-based to meet regulations, but the product couldn’t perform. Drying took too long, the finish didn’t hold up, and our workflow suffered.”— Procurement Manager, Contract Furniture Manufacturer
The Challenge
The company needed a compliant, high-performance coating solution that could:
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Deliver faster drying times
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Meet contract-grade finish standards (durability, hardness, consistency)
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Ensure full HSE compliance
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Be implemented without extended downtime or production risk
The Solution: Aqualine by Intercoat
Intercoat’s sales and technical specialists visited the site to evaluate operations and run in-line product trials. After a collaborative technical review, the team recommended transitioning to the Aqualine water-based range.
Products Implemented:
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AQ43550 – Clear lacquer with high transparency and rapid drying
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AQ45051 – Fast-drying, high-build primer with excellent sanding properties
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AQ100 – Durable self-crosslinking topcoat ideal for contract-grade use
The full transition, including staff training, technical support, and production integration, was completed in just one week.
The Results
| Performance Metric | Before (Previous Supplier) | After (Intercoat Aqualine) |
|---|---|---|
| Drying Time | 12 hours | 30 minutes |
| Surface Hardness | Inadequate | Contract-grade durability |
| Finish Quality | Inconsistent | Smooth, high-build, clear |
| HSE Compliance | Under pressure | Fully compliant |
| Production Turnaround | Delayed | Same-day project throughput |
| VOC Exposure | Moderate | Significantly reduced |
“Intercoat gave us the tools, the training, and the confidence to get this right. We’re now faster, more compliant, and our finish quality is where it needs to be.”
Conclusion
This case demonstrates how Intercoat Industrial Paints not only supplies coatings—but delivers complete solutions that drive efficiency, compliance, and quality. The Aqualine range has proven to be a next-generation water-based system for the furniture and joinery industries. For more information on how we can support your coating requirements - speak to the team on sales@intercoat-paints.co.uk or call 01922 638821
