Innovative Hose Handle Can Help Prevent Injuries


WINONA, MINNESOTA USA – Dale Gregg’s unique pipe grip became a means to avoid injuries caused in the process of moving large hoses and pipes in industries like oil and frac sand mining. Gregg, owner of Handle-Tech Ltd., used innovative compounds from RTP Company and plastic moldings from Gemma Plastic Products to create an independent, removable handle that could lock onto a hose or pipe, allowing workers to move hoses while standing in a natural, upright position, like holding a suitcase.



Gregg got the idea for the product when a friend explained how his son had crushed his hand while moving sections of heavy hose in the oil fields of Canada. “You hear about a lot of hand injuries, back injuries, falls, hoses decoupling and hitting people, and other accidents,” Gregg said. He used a 3D printer to create a device that could help avoid these injuries, and after seven prototypes, Gregg brought the device to an international oil and gas show. “There was enormous interest,” he said. “No one had ever seen anything like it before.”



Fueled by the interest of the industry, Gregg shifted his attention to manufacturing. Gregg met with Tom Vermeeren from Gemma Plastic Products. Tom advised Gregg to use long glass fiber reinforced nylon from RTP Company, saying he wouldn’t regret it.



“He was right,” Gregg said, referring to Tom’s advice. “I still can’t believe how well this material fits my vision. It’s extremely strong, has great electrical insulation characteristics and is practically impervious to heat and cold.” Using long glass fiber reinforced nylon from RTP Company, Gregg partnered with Gemma Plastic Products to mold the plastic. Handle-Tech Ltd. is now receiving a flood of orders for Gregg’s product. “As one customer told me,” Gregg said, “the handles make it so much easier and so much safer, he never wants to see his people move any hoses or pipes by hand ever again.”



To learn more about RTP Company’s structural products, download an Innovation Bulletin at http://www.rtpcompany.com/products/structural/vlfcompounds. For more information on RTP Company’s structural products, call (507) 454-6900, or visit www.rtpcompany.com.



About Handle-Tech Ltd.

Based in the heart of the Oil Gas industry in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Handle-Tech Ltd. was born through the need for safe and efficient hose transportation and manipulation on today’s oil and gas job-sites. Handle-Tech Ltd. is committed to ensuring that workers have the tools they need to get their jobs done safely and easily. For more information, visit www.handle-tech.com.



About Gemma Plastic Products

Founded in 2000, Gemma Plastics has been serving the oil field industry, industrial products, and electronic manufacturers in Canada for over 15 years. Gemma Plastics also have a sales and marketing office in Calgary and ship products all over Canada. The company specializes in compression, transfer and injection molding of engineered rubber and plastics. For more information, visit www.gemmaplastics.com.



RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota USA is a global compounder of custom engineered thermoplastics. The company has 17 manufacturing plants in the United States, Europe, and Asia plus sales representatives throughout the world. Engineers from RTP Company develop customized thermoplastic compounds in over 60 different engineering resin systems for applications requiring color, conductive, elastomeric, flame retardant, high temperature, structural, and wear-resistant properties. For more information, visit www.rtpcompany.com.

 

Contact: Kris Jommersbach

Gemini Communications

PH: + (1) 610-935-1633

krisj@geminiinc.com

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