Menu Search for: Pulling Back the Curtain on Worthen’s R&D Process Ian Churcher, R&D Laboratory Manager for the Foam Fabricating division of Worthen Industries, outlines recent shifts in the demands placed on mattress adhesives. By Brenna - November 21, 2020 On A Roll Pulling Back the Curtain on Worthen’s R&D Process 24:00 When it comes to research and development, a chemist’s work is never done. And Ian Churcher, R&D Laboratory Manager for the foam fabricating division of Worthen Industries with 27 years at the company under his belt, isn’t expecting to stop innovating any time soon. “It’s never complete. I guess you might think, well, we’ll hit on the perfect formula, and we’ll all retire, but that’s never going to happen. I’m convinced of that,” he said. “There’s always something you can improve upon and, also, things you don’t count upon.” One surprise is how many mattresses are manufactured, both as a whole but also in terms of the market shifting to so many more being purchased online and shipped in a small box where they’re unpacked upon arrival. That meant an adaptation for the techs in the foam fabricating division. “What that means is the mattress is made, the pieces of foam are laminated with our adhesive, and then [it is] put in a box and can be shipped out the same day to the customer,” Churcher said. “That creates some challenges. The adhesive has to perform faster. We cannot have residual moisture. It has to dry faster. And it means putting less adhesive on. I think the adhesive is something that perhaps people don’t think about, and I believe that’s a good thing.” Out of sight, out of mind is the desired result from a mattress adhesive, with customers hopefully getting a good night’s sleep rather than worrying about what’s holding (or not holding) their mattress together. They can rest assured that Churcher and his team are still at work, innovating and making the finest foam fabrication and mattress adhesive products possible. Previous podcast Worthen Building on Rich History of Adhesive Innovation Next podcast A Look at Company Culture at Worthen Industries LATEST POSTS ANNOUNCEMENT - WORTHEN INDUSTRIES LAUNCHES ENDURANS™ SOLAR FOLLOWING THE ACQUISITION OF DSM ADVANCED SOLAR INTRODUCING "ON A ROLL" PODCAST TO ALL CUSTOMERS & VENDORS WORTHEN ACQUIRES HENKEL'S FOOTWEAR BUSINESS IN MEXICO A Look at Company Culture at Worthen Industries Pulling Back the Curtain on Worthen’s R&D Process Worthen Building on Rich History of Adhesive Innovation Who We Are Company Values Employee Wellness Sustainability Careers R&D Industries Served Apparel Automotive Book Binding Construction Footwear Furniture/Mattress Graphic Arts Labels Medical Military Packaging & Laminating Renewable Energy Specialty Adhesives and Coatings Specialty Tapes Staple, Nail, & Fasteners Textiles Transportation Business Units Advanced Canvas Technology Co-Polyester Products Film Laminating Adhesives Foam Fabricating Adhesives Footwear Products Paper Converting Adhesives Performance Coated Fabrics Performance Coatings & Adhesives Printable Fabric Solutions Specialty Adhesives & Coatings Staple & Nail Products Worthen Extruded Films Contact Us 3 East Spit Brook Road Nashua, NH 03060-5783 603-888-5443 info@worthenind.com See more locations Connect with us Products Capabilities Copyright by Worthen Industries 2021. All rights reserved. ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 Certified Contact Us