Zunblindage designs, tests and manufacturers a range of ballistic and fragmentation body armour used by police and military customers around the world. The company, formed in 1948 in Liege, is the oldest European manufacturer of body armour. Since 1997, Zunblindage has been part of the DHB Armor Group, the leading US manufacturer of ballistic protection products. Zunblindage forms the European base for this dynamic group and has a strong emphasis on research and development, analysis of materials and extensive testing facilities.

Half a century of experience and knowledge ensures that Zunblindage, which is ISO9002 Quality standard certified, has found light, flexible and comfortable solutions for body protection. Its body armour is designed for different categories of protection - ballistic, fragmentation, anti-stab and a combination of all three. The company uses a variety of materials, based on polyaramid and polyethylene fibres, and it is the weave, number of layers and mixing and constructing of these fibres, which is the central feature in its production design. The end product range comprises tactical and concealed vests, which meet international standards and can be certified for special requirements by independent test houses.

For further information, please contact Mr Terry Hand, Managing Director, Zunblindage S.A., Tel: +32/(0)4/344.16.44

Sadems' automatic lathes attract clients from all over Europe 

Glass producer Sadems has recently developed a scientific and technological approach to the problems linked with the automation of glass making processes. The company, whose activities are divided between the glass and quartz sectors, has developed automatic lathes with a thermographic control, for application in field ranging from lighting to nuclear medicine and analysis equipment. The strategists at Sadems are determined to maintain their edge in the market and have already developed the next generation of equipment for applications such as sealing on glass.

The company, which started in the Province of Liege in 1956 and was established in 1985, operates in two areas: Glass working and machine development. The glass working side, while producing for laboratories, companies in the pharmaceutical industry and the lighting industry, now accounts for 45% of the turnover. With respect to the development, construction and maintenance of machines, Jacques Warin, Managing Director of Sadems, explains "Henri Segers, our founder, had the brilliant idea developing a new automatic lathe, controlled by thermography. Up to then only mechanical lathes had been used and hence this was an important innovation, which brought a substantial improvement in precision and repetition". Sadems' automatic lathes now attract clients from all over Europe, including leading companies in the lighting industry.

For further information, please contact Mr Henri Segers, Founding President and Consultant of Sadems, Tel: +32/(0)4/240.22.12

Joseph Paulus: A leading manufacturer of blades for textile shearing machines

The Liege based company Joseph Paulus, with a turnover of 40 million in 1997, is one of four manufacturers of blades for textile shearing machines in the world and in addition, the company supplies blades for all kinds of industrial machinery. The blades are used in a wide range of industrial sectors, including paper, plastic, steel, food and packaging.

The company uses modern methods of large production machining centres and laser cutting to produce steel knives to client specifications. All knives consist of high quality steel and undergo a special heat treatment. Straightening, which is a very important part of the process, is done by special precision grinding-machines and knives are produced either by unit or series. The company also provides a service all over Europe in grinding all kinds of used industrial knives and mechanical parts.

For further information, please contact Mr Gérard Paulus, Director of the Joseph Paulus company, Tel: +32/(0)87/33.24.24