Innovative Ellis

The summer of 2019 will be remembered for a lot of things (many of them Ben Stokes related!), but for the world’s leading cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis, it’s been a season that has shown exactly why they are seen around the globe as the industry innovators.

Twist and shout

Ellis has given cable cleat installation an innovative new twist that will significantly reduce installation time and costs, and help wholesalers by simplifying the ordering process.

The North Yorkshire company, which exports to over 40 countries, has designed and developed a twist foot fixing mechanism for use on all sizes and types of its best-selling standard cable cleats, Emperor and Vulcan+.

The twist foot cleats, which are supplied pre-fitted, are suitable for all installations using cable channel and ladder with inverted rungs. There are single footed versions for cables in trefoil up to 58mm, and double footed versions for cables with diameters ranging from 59mm to 128mm.

The single version locks in place with nothing more complex than a 90 degree turn and the tightening of the integral securing bolt, while the double footed version is secured with tabs that are simply rotated 90 degrees to engage the channel nut, before the securing bolt is tightened.

Stephen Walton, Ellis’ technical director, said: “Emperor and Vulcan+ have been the best-selling cable cleats in the world for years, but as a business that never rests on its laurels and always strives to innovate, we are always looking at ways to improve on everything – even the very best.”

“Making installation easier is something we’ve done a lot of work on, and the twist foot could be a real game changer. Not only does it slash installation cost and time, and signal an end to installers hunting around for the right nuts to go with the right bolts, but for wholesaler its means everything needed to install and fit a cable cleat can now be sold as one product part.”

Improving on the tried, tested and trusted

Ellis has shown that innovation doesn’t have to be restricted to new product development; having enhanced a product that has been one of its best-sellers for over 20-years.

Ellis’ technical team has taken the company’s cable hangers, which are used primarily in the rail industry, and made them stronger and, remarkably, cheaper.

Stephen Walton explained: “We’ve been successfully manufacturing and selling our cable hangers for two decades, and it’s fair to say that the design is tried, tested and completely trusted by all those who use it.”

“But with the market for cable hangers growing, and the number of extremely similar products also expanding, it was felt we needed to improve on the design in order to capitalise on new opportunities, while at the same time protecting our current customer base.”

Ellis achieved this by looking at every aspect of the product and looking at ways to improve on it. The first key development is that there are two different versions of the new Ellis cable hanger – a standard Mk2 cable hanger, and a convex hanger; the latter designed specifically for use in tunnels, where the mounting surface is often curved.

Benefits of the new Mk2 cable hangers include:

• Rounded corners that reduce snagging points
• Spin galvanized (55µm or 150µm thickness) to protect against erosion
• Only 6mm thick, leading to reduced product and shipping costs
• Wide range of sizes available
• Suitable for cables up to 100mm diameter
• Custom designs available
• Rolled designs for tunnels available

Meanwhile, the convex cable hanger has all the benefits of Mk2, plus:

• The removal of all sharp edges presented to the cable by traditional hangers
• Through innovative design, it’s the same strength as Mk2, but only 5mm thick – further reducing product and shipping costs

“To take a product that to all intents and purposes was a commodity product, and redesign it in a manner that makes it not only better, but also cheaper and stronger than anything else on the market goes to show the commitment we have at Ellis to not just sell cable cleats and cable hangers, but to sell the very best,” added Stephen.

Ellis’ in-house capability covers everything from product design to prototype production; testing to manufacture. It also holds its own product stock and manages all deliveries.

For further information on Ellis’ Twist foot Emperor and Vulcan+ cable cleats and its innovative approach to product development visit www.ellispatents.co.uk or call +44(0)19447583965.