Mirka (UK) Ltd has been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation. The IIP practitioner praised the business’ excellent relationships with all its stakeholders, ensuring continued sustainability, aided by a strong management team that inspires its staff, ensuring high business standards and performance levels.
A passion for water sports and a healthy interest in repairing boards and an enquiring mind on how things are made, led to the perfect reason for Charlie Gilman to combine his hobbies and start a surfboarding business in Truro, Cornwall called Cornish Dream Surfboards (https://cornishdreamsurfboards.co.uk ) .
Mirka is spearheading sanding innovation in 2022 with the addition of the new Mirka® DEOS 343CV sander to the DEOS product family. The tool has been designed to handle multiple applications that range from detail sanding to furniture and window frames, while the tool’s 75 mm x 100 mm pad enables easy access to hard to reach areas.
Custom guitar builder, repairer and converter Fern Evergreen Guitars, based in East London, is making a name for itself among accomplished musicians and novices alike. Its bespoke, handcrafted, upcycled guitars, made from natural materials, are formed using organic shapes that reflect the company's sustainable ethos and love of nature, and align with its vision of producing beautiful instrumental pieces that combine design and function.
Mirka UK is expanding its innovative product portfolio with the launch of its first battery powered grinding tool, which enables repairers to switch quickly to an accessory, so they have the right tool for the job at hand, increasing productivity and reducing repair times.
The expansion of Mirka’s innovative abrasive line-up is continuing in February 2022 with the addition of Galaxy. This new multi-purpose, film-backed abrasive has been designed to stay sharp from the first cut to the last, whilst also providing the user with dust-free sanding, efficient performance, and a high-quality consistent finish.
Strong partnerships can bring many benefits to business. Economic, training and knowledge, connections, to name a few. So what makes the perfect partner for a bodyshop? We sat down with Andy Pennell, group operations manager at Balgores Group, to find out what he looks for in a business partnership and the benefits he has experienced since choosing one.
Mirka is expanding its innovative abrasive line-up in January 2022 with the addition of Iridium SR. This new abrasive has been designed to deliver a consistent, uniform cut and scratch pattern that is fast and easy to polish out, making it ideal for the finest finishing stages of automotive refinishing as well as vehicle manufacturing. In addition, it performs consistently on clearcoat, topcoat and lacquers as well as composite processing.
Scratches, scuffs and dents are all part of the life cycle of vehicles out on the road and these minor imperfections are the bread and butter for repair shops around the UK. We sat down with Jason Barker, managing director of Cars of Grimsby, to discuss how the right tools can make dust disappear and assist with a business’ expansion plans.
Mirka has introduced a new accessory aimed at the C&D sector to provide an ergonomical and easy way to smooth plastered surfaces before sanding the final finish with the Mirka® LEROS.
Mirka UK is expanding its innovative product portfolio with the launch of the new Mirka® LEROS-S 950CV (LEROS-Short), designed for a variety of industrial applications where time is of the essence.
Mirka’s innovative product portfolio is expanding with the launch of two new pneumatic belt sanders (PBS) and two new file belts, designed for the bodyshop and manufacturing sectors.
The Mirka® AIROS, the first smart electric sander designed for robotic sanding applications, is joined by new models: the Mirka AIOS sanding heads and the Mirka AIROP polishing head. The AIROS is also now available in a new small size.
Mirka is expanding its marine product portfolio with the launch of the Polarshine® Marine Cleaning product range, designed to meet the specific demands of the boating community. The new offering will provide boat owners with a full spectrum of products to ensure their boats continue to look as good as new, like the day they arrived at the marina.
Mirka UK is introducing a new and improved formula for all its Mirlon Total grits, designed for both machine and hand sanding, providing 20 per cent higher cutting performance, better mechanical strength and increasing the product’s lifespan
Mirka is bringing the next generation of polishing compound to the market in November 2020 with the launch of Polarshine® 12 Black. This new water borne, silicone free polishing compound has been developed with versatility at the forefront of the design process, so users in the marine, composite and ART sectors can use it across multiple surfaces and still be able to achieve a high gloss finish.
Our new premium abrasive Mirka Iridium® is now also available in finer grits, 800 and 1000.
The Iridium is engineered for improving your speed and efficiency with no compromise on quality – an excellent finish every time. Its special coating has been engineered to prevent clogging and reduce pilling, to increase the useable lifetime of the abrasive as its aluminium grains stay sharper for longer.
Mirka’s award winning power tools division will be celebrating its 10th birthday in October 2020. In the last decade, this team has been at the cutting-edge of technology advancement and has created the DEROS and LEROS sanders, which are two of the most ergonomic and easy to use sanders on the market and are amongst Mirka’s best selling products.
The inventor of dust-free sanding celebrates 20 years of the Abranet net abrasive
The refurbishment of used consumer electronics is growing rapidly with over 150 million phones refurbished annually. According to global market intelligence firm IDC, this figure is expected to rise to 332.9 million units, worth an estimated $67 billion in 2023.
The world’s first patent pending Automated Industrial Programme is being launched globally by Mirka in {month} 2020, spearheaded by the Mirka® AIROS an innovative, electric Automated Industrial Random Orbital Sander, which integrates with OEMs’ robotic systems to carry out intensive, high work load sanding, where precision and minimal maintenance is critical.
Mirka UK is launching a dual voltage Mirka® LEROS in May, designed to provide a flexible, convenient tool for decorators working at different site locations, making light work of wall and ceiling sanding.
Mirka UK Ltd has been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Silver Award for its first assessment. The IIP practitioner praised the company’s proactive, people-focused organisation resulting in a very efficient and effective delivery, underpinned by a clear vision and business objectives.
Mirka’s new ultra-flexible, long lasting hand sanding product is making its debut in September, designed for bodyshop technicians to tackle complex contours and shapes with ease.
Mirka UK is introducing a new range of battery-operated cordless polishers designed to meet the high productivity demands of the automotive refinish sector. The new polishers are convenient additions to the Mirka tooling range to ensure the perfect finish can be obtained within paint rectification processes. The mini polishers are designed for the polishing of small areas including bumpers and spoilers.
The correct skills and tools for the job at hand alongside the use of social media are important factors when you run your own business. We sat down with Oliver Cropper, a 29 year old decorator, to discuss the importance he places on these factors.
Buses, coaches and commercial vehicles have large surface areas that require considerable man and tooling hours for a paint job to be completed. Effective and hardwearing tools are essential. We sat down with Martin O’Sullivan, a senior painter at Freeney’s Graphics, to discuss how the correct product choice can make light work of large open spaces on the bodywork of commercial vehicles.
Mirka is growing its award-winning Direct Electric Random Orbital Sander (DEROS) product family in 2019 with the addition of the new DEROS 77mm. The tool’s compact design makes it easier to use for longer periods of time, while allowing it to undertake small repairs easily, access hard to reach areas effectively, and minimise the need for time-consuming hand sanding.
Mirka is expanding its revolutionary Direct Electric Orbital Sander (DEOS)* range with the addition of the new DEOS Delta. Its ergonomic and innovative iron shape design allows the user to access hard to reach areas easily and efficiently, while reducing the stress on arms and hands, and delivering a flawless smooth finish from corner to corner.
Mirka is bringing the next generation of abrasives to the ART sector with the launch of WPF Next Gen, its new waterproof paper abrasive. This range has been developed to provide users with durable abrasives, specifically for wet sanding applications.
Mirka’s digital services are no longer confined to an app on your mobile device. With the Dashboard you can access myMirka from any web browser. Additional services such as myTools and myWorkers give detailed information about Mirka tools and how they are used in your workplace.
Mirka UK is opening a new state-of-the-art national training centre in Milton Keynes in September 2018. The investment is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with expert training and development around their high-quality abrasive, tooling and polishing solutions, enabling businesses to improve their production, output and profit performance.
A new robust abrasive designed to cut faster and more efficiently while repelling dust is being launched by Mirka UK in September. Aimed at bodyshops, workshops and industry, Iridium employs a new precision coating to speed up the sanding process.
Mirka UK is bringing the next generation of abrasives to market in September with the launch of Novastar. This new multi-hole abrasive has been developed with durability, versatility, productivity and efficiency at the forefront of the design process, enabling users to handle the most demanding sanding applications, while still being able to provide a consistent, smooth finish.
Remember to register your tool to get 2+1 year warranty.
When working on decorating projects the tasks vary from job to job. But there are two constants; the decorator and his tools. Like man, tools have slowly evolved over the years and made jobs easier, so with this in mind, we sat down with Dan Ennis to discuss the evolution of tools since he turned professional.
Mirka is extending its range of paper backed abrasives by introducing multi-hole discs in its Gold and Q Silver Ace ranges. This will improve the discs performance by increasing dust extraction capabilities compared to traditional paper abrasives.
Karl Horsley and Paul North, Mirka's national accounts business development managers from the ART (automotive) division, are organising a charity football match on 24 May 2018 as part of the business’ continued fundraising activities for Willen Hospice, Mirka’s chosen charity for 2018. The event will see a team of Mirka employees take on a squad of bodyshop industry professionals from distribution, end users and car manufacturers at Stadium MK for the inaugural Mirka Cup.
Mirka’s new electrical wall and ceiling sander, Mirka® LEROS, has received the Red Dot: Best of the Best Award 2018 for its groundbreaking design.
Karl Horsley, Mirka's national accounts business development manager, and Mark Rimmer, technical sales development, from the automotive division, will be participating in the MK to Amsterdam cycle challenge from 21-24 June 2018 to raise money for Willen Hospice, Mirka’s chosen charity for 2018. The inaugural event will take both men, along with 38 other participants, 300 kilometres from Milton Keynes to the centre of Amsterdam over the course of three days at an average speed of between 12 and 16 miles per hour.
Mirka UK is launching its lightest and most advanced wall and ceiling sander in April.
Mirka's new knowledge base on the website provides information on the registration of Power Tools, machine warranty and their maintenance and repair process.
Mirka UK is expanding its ART sales team with the promotion of Steve Smith to national sales manager. The appointment is part of the business’ ongoing investment in the Auto Refinish sector and will assist in the continued development of new business opportunities.
Mirka is expanding its air tools range with the addition of two new pneumatic polishers. The AP 300NV and RPS 300CV have been designed and developed to meet the demand for lightweight compactly designed tools that provide a high-quality finish in hard to reach places and are versatile for use across multiple sectors and applications including glass sanding and paint removal.
Mirka Ltd, the world leading abrasives and power tools manufacturer announces the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of the Italian superabrasive wheels and tools manufacturer Cafro S.p.A. Mirka is part of the Finnish family owned KWH Group and offers a complete range of superior sanding solutions for high quality surface finishing. The acquisition is an integral part of Mirka’s strategy to expand its business in the field of superabrasives and grinding solutions.
When working on high-end vehicles such as Porsche, Audi, Tesla and Bentley there are always challenges. But equally there are ways in which a business can overcome them. The first is having workers with the right skillsets and the second is having access to the correct materials, tools and processes that will help meet the strict approvals that are put in place by the leading manufacturer brands. We sat down with Leon Coupland, owner of Poole Accident Repair, to discuss how investment and expansion can help futureproof a business.
After years of manufacturing with exotic hardwoods and becoming sensitive to the dust they produce, a guitar maker from Newcastle upon Tyne was forced to reconsider his working environment. We spoke to Nigel Forster, who started as a luthier in 1988 and set up his own business in 2004, about working dust-free and how innovative technologies have been instrumental in altering the way he works.
Wood and metal sculptor swaps inferior tools for high performance sanders and abrasives improvising stunning shapes for a series of urns that have become his signature creations .
Mirka’s AOS-B cordless sander, the smallest battery driven spot repair sander on the market, has been awarded the ‘Product Design’ prize at the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards. The award recognises the ergonomic, high performance and longevity of the product, delivering tangible benefits to end users in the automotive industry.
A new improved backing paper with better sanding characteristics is being introduced by Mirka to its Jepuflex Plus and Avomax Plus abrasives.
Mirka is launching a new hand block designed for 150mm discs. The Mirka Roundy is ergonomically designed to fit into the palm of the hand and is suitable for multiple operations from paint stripping to lacquer & paint sanding.
Mirka is expanding its power tool range by introducing the first small brushless battery driven spot repair sanders: Mirka® AOS-B 130NV 32mm 10.8V Orbit 3.0 and Mirka®AROS-B 150NV 32mm 10.8V Orbit 5.0.
A new marketing campaign designed to raise awareness of airborne dust emission associated with sanding is being introduced by Mirka this month. ‘Abranet® Perfection’ is being communicated across print, social media and digital platforms through a series of compelling imagery to highlight the importance of air quality control to minimise occupational exposure to airborne dust in a variety of sanding operations.
KWH Mirka invite you to join us and experience a world of Mirka dust-free perfection.
Karl Horsley gives us his top tips for Alloy Wheel Repair
Using your tools correctly can improve productivity and the life span of your abrasives.
After 18 years in the industry it’s not every day you alter the way you work. But for one painter and decorator from Hunstanton near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, innovative abrasive technology has been instrumental in changing the way he markets his business to
Mirka® DEROS is the Winner of the Red Dot Industrial Design Award
Changing to Mirka abrasives and refining the process has helped Castle Coachworks in Northampton make significant savings without compromising on quality.