Maul has chosen Loxy has to be their
preferred supplier

When you produce a quality product that consistently performs, your audience begins to take notice.  For years Loxy has produced the highest quality seam sealing tape in the industry, chosen by major garment manufacturers and preferred by military branches around the world.  Now, another manufacturer joins the ranks of those who want to keep their customer dry.

Seam sealing tape is a powerful solution to help a garment maintain its waterproof design.  Even with the highest quality water proof fabrics, a needle passing through it to form a seam creates entry points for moisture.  Loxy produces long-lasting seam sealing tape that seals those holes permanently, preventing the passage of moisture no matter what kind of weather the wearer is faced with.

Dealing with a drizzle? Mowing property in the rain?  Standing on the desk of a listing vessel with water crashing over the railing?  Seam sealing tape will always prevent moisture from seeping through even fully-exposed seams.

That performance is why Maul has chosen Loxy has to be their preferred supplier of seam sealing tape, adding a powerful waterproofing element to their outdoor wear.

Maul that want to keep their customers dry choose Loxy.

Since 1948, Maul has produced high quality textiles and garments design for travel and lifestyle specific consumers.  With additional lines focused on classic outdoor wear along with adventurous outdoor enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone with Maul.

Maul was founded on a family tradition that dated back more than 300 years, with each generation specializing in tailoring.  Focusing exclusively on casual wear in the 50′s, Maul began to shift their focus to outdoor wear for sport enthusiasts and eventually partnered with Gore-Tex to enhance their waterproof garments.

 Mission of Maul

The company pushes a mission to help people achieve their desire for adventure.  To experience something different at every turn.  Regardless of whether consumers are looking for casual clothing or they take trips or extended tours and need something more “outdoor enthusiast” designed, Maul supplies it.  Their focus on the best quality at affordable prices is what inspires us to work with them, and why we’re glad to partner with Maul to enhance their garments with seam sealing tape.

Learn more about Maul and their authenticity at www.maul-sport.de

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Necessity of  reflective tape on

athletes clothing

It wasn’t long ago that sport enthusiasts had recommendations they would pass to one another to use store-bought consumer-level reflective tape on their clothing while training.  Since many athletes train in the early morning or late night hours, visibility is a concern.

Recommendations for reflectors on coats, reflective tape on track pants and other tips were necessary because few manufacturers put out clothing lines that already contained these elements.  It’s not because the items didn’t work – it was because there was an assumption that consumers didn’t care for the design.

After all – who wants to look like a runway worker or civil roadway engineer when they’re out training for a marathon?

Reflective Tape – Knowing What Your Customer Really Needs

The assumptions were wrong however; these athletic groups have been clamoring for this kind of clothing with high visibility elements for years.  Unfortunately, it was mostly professionals who were able to enjoy the enhanced safety.

Loxy is working to change that and give sports enthusiasts what they’ve been asking for.  While we have focused predominantly on work place safety for more than 30 years, Loxy is now splitting it’s marketing focus to heavily focus on sportswear and outdoor fashion with Mika, one of our account coordinators.  These garments put a great deal of emphasis on utilizing reflective tape as well as other reflective accessories (piping, trim and reflective zippers for example).

This moves away from the traditional retro-reflective element on fluorescent backing into a more desirable and attractive garment that consumers are comfortable wearing.

In addition to helping athletes stay visible when they’re training, we also want to help them stay dry.  Consider that atheletes typically train regardless of the wear, and you can instantly see a need for garments that will help keep them dry and far more comfortable.

Our seam sealing tape was traditionally used for work place and professional garments, but we recognize the need to make sure people at the consumer level are staying comfortable as well.  By combining our reflective tape technology, reflective accessories and seam sealing tape for garments, we’re working with a number of manufacturers to create the next wave in desirable and functional training wear.

Staying True to Our Roots with High Visibility Clothing

While we know there is a need to focus on outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, we’ve been helping professionals stay safe and dry for far too long to walk away from them.  They rely on the quality of our reflective tape.  We will continue to offer the same products for professional workers while we market both sportswear and work wear on a global level.

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Agent handbook to make them more knowledgeable

Loxy is currently nearing the end of the development for our agent handbook.  To build on the standard consistency of our operations, we thought it best to develop a handbook that would unify our agents and create a single direction for operations and development.

Included in our handbook will be tools for presenting to clients, answering questions and concerns that commonly come up in our industry.  In addition, agents will have access to a number of company resources through the handbook to streamline their efficiency.  We will also be supplying a variety of resources and information to our customers via the agent handbook as well.

Beyond operations information, the agent handbook will also include technical data on products as well as the newest certificate information for Loxy.  These certificates can be utilized in meeting with clients for building our already stellar credibility within the industry.

Agent notebook is near completion

As we come near the close of completion, agents will be notified of a date for the launch of the handbook.  Should production move ahead of schedule on last-minutes changes and revisions, agents may actually begin to receive copies of our manual without notification.

Loxy continues to develop better practices such as our agent handbook to help make all of our partners and clients successful.  When you’re successful, so are we – and the only way we can continue to raise the bar and improve high visibility clothing, safety clothing and the quality of reflective tape is to do it together.

It all starts right here with our agents.

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Loxy support available during the summer

It might be sweltering in some areas, but to us that’s a sign of a great summer.  We’ve got a lot of a sun, many of our clients are seeing record temperatures and it’s making it harder to stay cooped up inside our businesses & offices.

We’re hoping for a lot more summer days like this and hope that everyone has a great summer as well.  Whether you’re traveling on vacation or holding company gatherings for employees, do your best to stay safe during the day and enjoy a great holiday if you’re taking one.

Remember that business is important, but so is spending time with family and friends!

Our offices will continue to be manned during the summer, and every employee in our support and administration centers is always available via email to take care of your orders, questions, concerns and more.  Never hesitate to contact us – we certainly won’t let the summer fun get in the way of delivering the best quality seam sealing tape and reflective tape to our customers.

Where ever you are, have a wonderful holiday and we’ll see you back here soon!

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Process of fire retardant tape

Understanding the process of fire retardant tape requires that we understand how the fire cycle works and how materials burn.  Various flame retardants interact with the fire cycle in order to stop that cycle.  Some act at different stages than others.

Stage 1 – This is the ignition phase.  Any energy source such as heat, incandescent material or flame of any size can be the initial ignition source.

Stage 2 – In this stage, local degradation occurs because energy is transmitted by the ignition source to the material.  In the case of a polymer you have emission of flammable gases by pyrolysis during this stage.  This not only fuels the initial ignition source but it advances to stage 3.

Stage 3 – Pyrolysis is the process that degrades the polymer’s long-chain molecules into smaller hydrocarbon molecules.  In the condensed phase, the result is inert carbonized material commonly referred to as carbon char or simply “char”.

Stage 4 – Flammable gases including small molecules and high energy free radicals mix here with oxygen from the surrounding air.  As the mixture reaches its ideal point it enters the combustion zone of stage 5

Stage 5 – In the combustion zone, hundreds of exothermic chemical reactions occur that involved free radicals, fuel and oxygen.  The result is formation of flame or additional flame in much greater quantity.

Stage 6 – Perfect combustion would theoretically produce H20 and C02 however in real life the combustion is incomplete and the result is emission of Co, PAHs, HCN and other products of combustion.

As a result of the fire cycle, a great deal of energy is emitted during exothermic reactions.  This energy transfers directly to the polymer and reinforces pyrolysis, reinforcing the cycle as it repeats.

The Chemical Reaction in Fire Retardant Tapes

Depending on the manufacturing process there may be various methods used to create the fire retardant actions of the reflective tape and trim.  Many are treated with chemicals that react with the gas during Pyrolysis.  The reaction creates a greater amount of char that inhibits continuation of the burn cycle and prevents further combustion.

Prolonging the Life of Fire Retardant Tape

Fire retardant tape goes through many of the same test of other firefighting gear and turnout equipment.  While it meets performance standards, maintaining the life of fire retardant tape is dependent on the amount of exposure the tape gets to hear and tire on a regular basis.  Treatment and cleaning of fire retardant tape also diminished the life of the tape as well as its fire retardant performance to some degree.  To ensure proper function, any equipment in proximity or structural fire environments should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure the materials are performing to specification while meeting NFPA regulations.

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Importance of High Visibility Clothing

There are laws and regulations worldwide that dictate when and how high visibility clothing and safety garments are used, and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations of 1992 requires that a number of factors be recognized and considered so that the most appropriate high visibility clothing is chosen for the professional task at hand.  Here are the most important to note:

1. Is the High Visibility Clothing Suitable to the Risk?

The environment in which the high visibility clothing is used is a large factor and one of the most important when choosing the right safety garments.  This includes things such as ambient and artificial lighting in and around the work site as well as weather conditions (fog, snow, heavy rain).  For example, some jobs may only need a simple sleeveless safety vest with minimal retro-reflective trimming however other job sites, such as when a working is at risk around vehicles exceeding 25 mph, more visibility is needed.  In situations where rescue personnel, maintenance workers, road crews and others are at high risk for injury, full body high visibility clothing is necessary to keep the individual safe.

It’s important to find high visibility clothing that offers superior visibility at night with retro-reflective components, and also during the day with appropriate fluorescent coverage.  As a general rule, the darker the conditions or the work site, then the greater the risk and the more covered and visibility is necessary in the safety garments.

For effective covered, the high visibility clothing needs to keep the wearer visible against the common background of the work environment.  Very little of the garment should blend.  To achieve this, the highest quality safety garments use day-glo or fluorescent yellow/orange elements to signify caution.  Added visibility comes from retro-reflective fittings that can reflect light back to its source even during normal light conditions, creating a glare or flash that is more prominent in low-light conditions.

2. Is the High Visibility Clothing  Suitable for the Job/Site?

The nature of the work and the working environment needs to be considered so the appropriate safety garments are chosen.  A loose fitting tabard and other loose safety gear like vests could potentially get caught in machinery, hooked on passing vehicles on loading docks or caught in moving parts.  Some clothing, like high visibility coats, are too warm for summer months and can put a worker at risk for heat exhaustion.  PPE should always be suitable for the environment, with layers options available to maximize visibility without creating additional threats or dangers.

3. Is it Suitable for the Wearer

Not only should the high visibility clothing be a comfortable fit for the workers measurements but other clothing the worker normally has to wear should be taken into account.  Do protective aprons or accessories need to be worn over the safety gear, does the safety gear cover other pieces of equipment such as ID tags?  Find safety garments that maximize visibility without interfering with comfort, visibility of accessories that are necessary or accessibility.

4. Is the High Visibility Clothing Compatible with Other PPE?

If multiple pieces of safety garments or equipment have to be worn, it’s important to assure that they don’t interfere with each other.  A good example is the measurement of a firefighters coat and collar with the length of the fire fighters neck.  An individual with a stocky, short neck may find that a collar interferes with the helmet when worn.  In this case, it’s important to find turnout gear that doesn’t interfere with helmet operation.
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Bonding Film in the Modern World

Structural adhesives are replacing mechanical fasteners in amazing ways!Innovation in adhesive design and formulas have proven that over the years, bonding tape has become a successful alternative to bulky mechanical fasteners like screws, rivets and other types of hard welds.  The major benefit to the use and application of bonding films is that, unlike fasteners which join substrates at a single point, bonding films bridge the gap over the entire surface area – thus create a more complete bond that also distributes the stress load evenly.

Why Bonding Films Have Become Second Nature

Bonding films are used in almost every industry including construction, industrial, medical, marine, military, electronics and especially the garment industry.  Everything from skyscrapers to vehicles and shoes use bonding film in some form during manufacture and assembly.

While bonding films vary, and some are not intended for high-humidity or other extreme temperature variances, plenty of bonding film formulas have been created that allow for use in harsh environments – even space.

The prime benefit to use in garments is that bonding films can be made to be extremely elastic, altering the tensile, shear, pull and peel.  This is beneficial to clothes like intimate apparel.  Additionally, bonding films can be made to flex while remaining rigid with a solid, heavy duty bond such as what is needed in tactical boots.

Practical Application of Bonding Film

While bonding films can be used in a variety of industries, they offer a number of benefits to the garment industry and relative verticals.  Here are just a few applications for Loxy bonding film.

Intimate apparel & undergarments – When you use bonding film in garments, there are times when you want a seam that doesn’t present with stitching.  This is especially important in undergarments or intimate apparel where lines and seams can show through clothing.  A strong, quality bonding film can form an indestructible seam that won’t shred or lose elasticity while presenting with minimal (virtually no) visibility.  The same technology that holds buildings together can help keep intimate undergarments a secret.

Boots and shoes – No matter the lifestyle the individual leads, boots and shoes should be long lasting and designed to take a beating.  In cheaper models, one of the first things to go is often the base of the shoe where bonding film separates after exposure to moisture and regular use.  A strong, quality bonding film will flex properly with footwear and should be formulated to withstand even the most intense use.  Whether it’s a tactical insertion from a Blackhawk or cross-training for a triathlon, footwear needs to last.  Quality bonding film will insure long-lasting customer satisfaction.

Tactical Garment Seams – Tactical garments are used in a variety of professions including EMS, First Responders, Police/SWAT, Military/Special Forces, Private Security and more.  Every one of these professions should be able to rely on the bonded seams of their tactical clothing without conscious thought.  Pockets, belt loops, seams, straps, buckles – everything should function seamlessly.  The right bonding film will ensure that, no matter the environment or the intensity of the job, the garment performs every time.

Heavy duty garments (Rescue gear) – Not all bonding films are made equal, and some are specifically designed to stand up to harsh environments and intense conditions.  Rescue gear and heavy duty garments need bonding film that can stand up against intense heat, frigid cold and extended periods of exposure to moisture and direct or proximity flame.  Fire fighters and marine personnel such as naval officers and coast guard need the maximum durability and protection of Loxy bonding film – otherwise people get hurt.
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Waterproof  Garments using Seam Sealing tape

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but for consumers and professional workers clothing isn’t just clothing.  There are different grades of clothing designed for specific purposes.  This included garments designed specifically to offer better vapor transfer and breathability, windproof garments, waterproof garments and more.

Each of these different garments utilizes a different form of fabric, coating, weave and seam structure to meet and exceed the guaranteed levels of protection they boast.  Of the different categories, waterproof garments require the most attention to detail and critical engineering along with seam sealing tape to ensure there is virtually no vapor transfer.

Creating Waterproof Garments

Styles of clothing vary, so that means that every manufacturer applies their own personal touch and style to waterproof garments.  Despite the different styles, there are typically common components that are used including specific coatings, fabrics and seam sealing tape.

Understanding the Barrier that Keeps you Dry

Waterproof garments aren’t actually 100% impenetrable.  A waterproof garment does need to allow some vapor transfer to a point so the garment can breathe.  This ensures that moisture that collects within the garment from things like sweat is able to evaporate and transfer out of the garment.

Waterproof garments typically have billions of microscopic pores where this vapor can escape.  The pores are smaller than water molecules so it’s impossible for the water molecules to transfer in while the vapor is allowed to easily escape.  Even with this quality design seam sealing tape is still necessary to prevent transfer at the seams.

Protecting the Garment Stability with Seam Sealing Tape

The holes within waterproof garments are microscopic and smaller than water molecules, but the holes created by needles for sewing garments together and plenty large enough for water to easily transfer through.  Every garment must be stitched together for strong, durable seams.  That’s why manufacturers use seam sealing tape in seams.  This bonding material reinforces the seam and closes over the holes created from stitching.

Every waterproof garment and piece of equipment uses seam sealing tape in some way even when they have different applications.  The tape is most often used in garments worn by professionals such as EMS, Fire rescue workers and marine personnel but it finds its way into a lot of other garments and fabrics as well.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find seam sealing tape in their tents, jackets, pants and backpacks.  Snowsuits utilize seam sealing tape.  So do hazmat suits and rain gear, uniforms for the military and more.  A great deal of focus should be placed on the use of seam sealing tape within the professional industries including civil service and military, as well as rescue industries.  Waterproof garments with seam sealing tape play a huge role in keeping rescue workers like the Coast Guard and Royal Navy completely dry and safe while performing necessary rescue efforts along coastal waters around the world.

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Safety should always come before duty

We often hear serious stories in the news about professionals around the world who are injured on the job as a result of not wearing adequate protection.  In the case of fire retardant reflective tape and the turnout gear it is typically attached to, firefighters expose themselves to serious danger and injury when they operate with faulty equipment and garments (or without those garments.)

An example occurred last month, February of 2012.  A firefighter was injured trying to extinguish the flames that had engulfed a man during a condo fire in Tempe, Arizona.  The victim in the fire was wheelchair bound and due to his medical condition was unable to evacuate the home.

A firefighter raced into the inferno without his protective gear in an attempt to save the victim.  Despite no fire resistant reflective tape or PPE/turnout gear, the firefighter managed to extinguish the flames and remove the victim.

As a result the firefighter sustained second degree burns.  The victim, sadly, later died due to his burn injuries.

The fire fighter was courageous in his attempt to save the victim, but safety should always come before duty.  Going into a dangerous situation without the benefit of his turnout gear could have left the professional seriously injured.  Without his fire retardant reflective tape, had he gone down it would have been extremely difficult for his crew to find and locate him.

Having PPE Isn’t Enough – Proper Evaluation is Key to Safety with Fire Retardant Reflective Tape

At Loxy, we regularly put our products through testing and certification to ensure products like our 9801 line of flame resistant reflective tape continue to perform properly in the field for professional workers.  Crews and manufacturers should mirror these tests to ensure continued performance.

As flame resistant reflective tape is exposed to extreme heat and flame, it can gradually deteriorate.  Just having PPE isn’t good enough to protect professionals like fire rescue crews and other rescue workers around the world.  Departments need to create and maintain regular maintenance programs.

Turnout gear that uses fire retardant reflective tape should be inspected at least once per year.  It’s the front line of defense against heat, smoke, toxic gases and blood borne pathogens.  Without regular maintenance, turnout gear can become dirty, and the performance of the waterproofing and reflective tape can degrade to the point where the garments aren’t adequately performing to protect the individual.

Improving Inspection for Personal Safety of Professionals

Without inspection, it’s like a professional isn’t wearing protective gear at all, and fire retardant reflective tape loses its retro-reflective performance.  Inspection should be broken into two categories:  routine and advanced.  Routine inspection should occur every time turnout gear featuring reflective tape is issues and then on a monthly basis as well as after cleaning.  This routine inspection takes into consideration the performance of fire resistant reflective tape, moisture barriers and the thermal liners.

The National Fire Protection Association states the advanced inspection should be in addition to areas covered by the routine inspection and performed at least once per year.  While this points more to U.S. based crews and turnout gear, it can apply to textiles and garments worn by fire response crews in the U.K. and throughout Europe and Asia.

The advanced inspection should include fit/overlap, integrity of fire resistant reflective tape, material integrity, moisture barrier integrity, hook and loop functionality, liner attachments and inspection of all accessories – especially those that utilize fire retardant reflective tape.

Taking the time to inspect garments ensures that every crew member is adequately covered and protected during emergency situations, so that crews wearing reflective tape and protective gear gain the maximum benefits.

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