Welcome to our latest E-Bulletin.

Economists and news pundits are reporting glimmers of an upturn in the economy and we hope that your business is feeling it, too. These have been a difficult 12 months for many sectors, especially with reduction in public sector building programmes, and the demise of the construction sector overall. Here at IAC there is definitely a feeling of optimism as we celebrate our 60 years in business and press on with introducing many of our products into Europe and see our Eastern markets grow.

We continue to appreciate your custom here on our home territory – thank you - and look forward to a more buoyant period ahead, across the board.

Best wishes

Brian Quarendon
Group President and CEO

IAC MARKS 60 YEARS LEADING THE WORLD IN NOISE CONTROL

The whole of the IAC group of companies marks up 60 years this month of leading the world in noise control products and solutions.

Right from the early days, IAC was known for innovation in the field and has consistently been the first to develop the sector’s new solutions to noise pollution. Founded in 1949 in New York, design and manufacture have been the key strengths of IAC, along with many of the sector’s best engineers and designers.

In the 90s the company rather lost its way, but under the recent leadership of Group President and CEO Brian Quarendon, over the past 8 years, he has tripled turnover of the Group with over 30% of the turnover coming from exports. The Group now employs over 600 people worldwide.

IAC’s key strength is the diversity of markets for its products – all of which are growing: from anechoic chambers for automotive manufacturers and research, TV and radio studios, HVAC silencers, audiology test rooms, silencers and acoustic packages for gas turbines and diesel generators, acoustic doors, and windows and even aero-engine test rigs and sound barriers for airports, road and rail.

“Despite the economic downturn, IAC continues to thrive in part due to our good reputation,” said Brian Quarendon. “All our employees can be proud of how far IAC has come, and on this our 60th anniversary I’d like to thank each and every one for their valuable contribution to our continuing success.”

With clients numbering many of the world’s greatest names and brands, and with factories in UK, China, New York and France, and with several agents and licensed partners throughout Eastern Europe and India, IAC looks forward to the next 60 years leading the field.

TOP LONDON DEVELOPMENT CHOOSES IAC ACOUSTIC LOUVRE ENCLOSURES

A prestigious, high density mixed-use development in London’s Covent Garden will benefit from five Acoustic Louvre Enclosures from IAC UK for plant rooms.

A major urban regeneration project, St Martin’s Courtyard will comprise 25 new retail outlets; 5 restaurants; 70,000 sq ft of premium office space, and 37 luxury apartments.

Architects SCH, and MR Partnership have combined a redevelopment of several 1960s buildings in what has been a 4-phase project. Contracting giant Wates, main contractor on the project, commissioned the acoustic enclosures for plant rooms installed in phases C, D and E. Three are located in roof-top positions, one on the ground floor and one on the 3rd floor. The enclosures will shield shoppers, residents and other users of the site from plant noise.

Gary Dawson, IAC UK’s Manager, Building Services, said: “We have a longstanding relationship with Wates, and to be supplying such a high profile London project at a time when competition is fierce is testament to our value-for-money acoustic solutions.”

The courtyard will be unveiled to the public in Spring 2010.

For information on Acoustic Louvres contact Gary Dawson on +44 (0)1962 873000 garyd@iacl.co.uk

ANECHOIC CHAMBERS FOR MICROSOFT R&D FACILITY IN WASHINGTON STATE

IAC America has successfully supplied four anechoic chambers to Microsoft for their main R&D facility in Redmond, in Washington State.

They designed, manufactured, delivered, installed, tested and certified two custom 250 Hz. Full-Anechoic Chambers and two custom Mini-Anechoic Chambers for the facility. IAC’s design and engineering team worked closely with Microsoft engineers in order to design the test chambers to meet all their specifications and end user requirements.

The contract presented unique challenges in terms of design and engineering and in project management and logistics. One set of chambers (one large and one mini chamber) had to be delivered, installed and certified at Redmond, and the other set immediately after that at their manufacturing facility in China.

If this multi-location installation against an aggressive timeframe was not enough of a challenge, each chamber also had to be fitted with several custom components and details. The large chambers contained adjustable height test object tables, wire mesh wedge protection on the doors and custom cut-outs for fire/safety equipment. On the other hand, the mini chambers – rather than being fully factory-assembled as they would normally be, had to be field-assembled because of the limited access points. These mini chambers were also supplied with a special sliding aluminum grating test object table.

IAC America supplied the chambers not only meeting all Microsoft’s testing needs but also just ahead of schedule.

The free-field properties of the chambers were verified by a standard draw away test conducted in complete accordance with the requirements of ISO 3745 and the noise reduction properties of the chamber were verified in full accordance with the applicable sections of ASTM E336. The anechoic test chamber was certified to meet all specified acoustic requirements. Both sets of chambers delivered near identical acoustic performance. Satisfaction and performance guaranteed!

Contact Graham Dale, Global Test Facilities manager on +44 (0)1962 873000 gdale@iacl.co.uk

IAC CHINA SHINES AT AUTOMOTIVE TESTING EXPO CHINA

IAC China took part in Automotive Testing Expo China in Shanghai this month, the most targeted gathering of automotive test and evaluation professionals anywhere in China.

The IAC stand attracted automotive manufacturing and test professionals and industrialists from right across China and beyond. Over 175 of the world's automotive test equipment manufacturers and test service providers – from throughout Europe and as far afield as the USA - were displaying the very latest technologies, all geared to improving vehicle reliability, durability, safety and quality: everything from engine analysis and acoustic testing, to simulation software and wind tunnel testing.

Yu Jiao, IAC China’s Sales Manager, said:”There was a real buzz at the show which was very busy. While the global automotive industry is at a low at the moment, in China it is growing significantly. Automotive OEMs, parts manufactures, and tyre manufacturers here are putting more and more attention on NVH tests so the need for anechoic chambers is going to be really big. IAC are well placed to cater for this increase in demand.”

“We are now truly global,” said Graham Dale, Global Test Facilities Manager, “And with our own manufacturing plant in China we have the means to satisfy this growing demand. It’s a crucial time for R&D in preparation for the upswing in global economies that some say is already starting. With that, will come a rise in automotive sales again.”

All IAC anechoic test facilities exhibit technical and environmental compliance with international standards, including ISO 3745 and ISO 3744. A global turnkey service is offered, from manufacturing plants on 3 continents.

Contact Graham Dale on +44 (0)1962 873000 grahamd@iacl.co.uk

IAC AVIATION WINS SUBSTANTIAL CONTRACT FROM KUWAIT AIR FORCE

IAC Aviation Product Support has been awarded a substantial In-Service Support contract for two Kuwait Air Force (KAF) multi-purpose Hush Houses.

The US Government has awarded the contract for the Hush Houses, which both have uninstalled engine test capability.

As the original supplier of these facilities, IAC Aviation was ideally placed to offer the most comprehensive, low risk and cost effective solution. Indeed, this contract re-establishes and expands the scope of supply required under the terms of an earlier support contract previously awarded to IAC Aviation.

IAC Aviation worked closely with the U.S. Government to ensure an entirely flexible and responsive contract was established for the KAF which covers all the required aspects of support, be these planned or unplanned events. Some key aspects of the contract are technical support, scheduled and un-scheduled maintenance, training, spares and repairs support and a full upgrade of all issued Technical Publications. IAC Aviation looks forward to maintaining this support into the future years.

IAC Aviation is a world leader in aero engine test solutions, and numbers many of the world’s military fleets and commercial airlines among its clients.

Contact Nick Smith, Business Manager, +44 (0)1962 873204 aviation@iacl.co.uk

IAC’S NEW FIRE-RATED ACOUSTIC DOORS SELLING IN EUROPE

The Maurice Ravel Conservatoire in Levallois-Perret near Paris in France has received 5 of IAC’s new Fire-Rated Acoustic Doors.

IAC is Europe’s leading supplier of high performance acoustic doors and acoustic windows.

This new range of fire-tested acoustic doors is suitable for commercial and industrial buildings as well as public buildings. The doors are fully compliant with the latest European EN1634-1 standard.

Jean-Francois Retailleau is Business Unit Manager, Architectural with IAC Boet Stopson in Lille, France. “These doors were specified by an acoustician to reach both a high level noise reduction combined with a fire rating because these doors were destined for a public school where safety requirements are very stringent.”

IAC’s two standard door ranges, steel and timber, are available from stock alongside bespoke design and build options. With acoustic performance from STC 31 to STC 64, over 1m acoustic door sets have been supplied since 1949. IAC is trusted by specifiers, architects and acoustic consultants everywhere – they are much copied but never matched.

Contact Kane Watkinson, Product Manager, Doors for UK enquiries on +44 (0)1962 873000 kanew@iacl.co.uk

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