So, Michael, what’s the thinking behind Isopod – and what makes it special?
Michael said: “It’s a rapid solution – if a client needs a cleanroom quickly, we want to be the company to supply it. We’re not talking months and months of intense on-site construction – this is a much tighter timeframe and all manufactured off site.
“Now, there are lots of different ways of achieving this – but what sets Isopod apart is making the modules quickly but also to a much higher quality mark than the competition. In my opinion, we’re a level above anyone else who’s doing this. We’re using stainless steel, not powder-coated mild steel, cleanroom panels rather than something less robust. The idea is that we build this product with the same love and appreciation of our intellectual property as we would with a traditional modular cleanroom. It’s a free-standing cleanroom pod, yes – but you really are getting a ‘proper premium class cleanroom’ with this product.”
You’ve played a critical role in the development of the product – how has it changed since it was conceived?
Michael said: “Well, there’s been lots of R&D over the past five years – lots of in-house testing and innovation. Ultimately though, we’ve learnt from every single new bespoke unit that we’ve developed.
“With some of the earlier models, we thought about GRP construction – but we had concerns over how that could potentially shatter – and we also tried out aluminium frameworks, but having to get the aluminium anodised causes issues with welding, and this is supposed to be a rapid cleanroom solution. So we quickly realised that stainless steel was the superior choice for many different reasons – it needs to be rapid! We want this product to be the absolute best option on the market – and that meant utilising a stainless steel framework as the bedrock.”
How different are the current Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms being produced compared to those delivered in the past?
Michael said: “We’ve always delivered a quality product – so in that respect, nothing’s changed. But the design is so much more advanced now – all the nuances of the product, all those intelligent little tweaks to different elements over the years to make the product quicker to build, stronger and more aesthetically pleasing. We put the same care into our 2D and 3D designs now as we do with bigger projects.
“The stainless steel is now laser cut to exact measurements so we’re getting within a millimetre of what we require. Really precise, high-quality engineering. And then going forward, they’re only going to get even better. With all of the upcoming new innovations we have planned, the idea will be to eventually lose the existing look of an Isopod and mimic what we produce with our stunning traditional Guardtech Cleanrooms modular systems. We’ve used corner gussets in the past, we’ve used connectors in the past. And there certainly wasn’t anything negative about those elements. But what we’re moving towards is a really attractive, seamless design that marries aesthetics and incredible performance – from the way that panels slot and lock into the system to the overall finish. We’re really excited about what’s to come.”
What’s been your favourite of all the Isopods you’ve manufactured so far?
Michael said: “Obviously, I love them all! We do offer standard models for hardwall and softwall Isopods, but the reality is that all our clients have unique requirements and that means that almost all of them have been bespoke products.
“My current favourite would be the 19sqm ISO5 Northumbria University system. It’s a Hybrid Isopod – so a dual genus mix of hardwall panels and softwall PVC strip curtain. It’s the first Isopod where we’ve utilised a 60mm box section – and it works so well with the panel system. I had a major role in the design phase for that model and I’m delighted with the final product. The Isopod is essentially configured in two parts to meet the client’s awkward host room requirements – plus, it manages to achieve ISO5 classification with all those challenges as well as the fact it’s partly softwall. It looks as good as it performs – and I’m certain the client is going to put it to amazing use in the coming years.”
Isopods are essentially smaller-scale cleanroom pods – but is it true that you’ve constructed a massive 60sqm version for a client?
Michael said: “Yeah, that’s a big one, all right! A client in Berkshire required an Isopod for their micro-electronics application. That one is right up there with Northumbria in terms of how special it is – it features all of the latest modifications we’ve come up with. There are some really clever technological innovations on that model and it has surpassed anything we’ve produced to date with Isopod – a true industry-leading solution.
“There have been some smaller projects recently, simpler 12 to 15sqm Isopod Flexi (softwall) models that we’ve turned around from order to design to installation in just over a month. That rapid turnaround is where we should be – even for bespoke units. Order in, manufactured with love and care, out the door quickly, installed, and on to the next one! That’s what this product is at its core – and we’re striving to make it the slickest operation we can.”
What’s your proudest moment in your time at Guardtech?
Michael said: “My proudest moment has to be becoming an Associate Director. And that’s because it’s come through a combination of hard work, innovation, all the experiences had and things I’ve learned along the way.
“I built my first Guardtech cleanroom alongside my brother back in 2004. Funnily enough, that was for Isolagen, which was the same client that the first-ever Guardtech cleanroom was constructed. The work we did was essentially an extension to that maiden project. I guess you could say that those early cleanrooms were a precursor to Isopod. Although the system we’ve gone on to develop is so much better in so many ways.
“So, yeah, going from Installation Engineer to Installation Manager to Associate Director of Manufacturing – it’s been one hell of a ride. And I’m looking forward to what’s on the horizon.”
And finally… how do you see things panning out for Isopod and the wider Guardtech Group in the future?
Michael said: “Absolutely 100% leading the way in all things we do. There are bigger companies out there building cleanrooms, sure. But there are no other companies covering the breadth of solutions we offer. We’ll build you a 4sqm pod and we’ll build you a 200,000sqm facility. No job is too big, no job is too small. All that matters is delivering a world-class solution that meets the client’s needs and ensuring that everyone wins.”
For more information on the Guardtech Group, visit www.guardtechgroup.com, call 0330 113 0303 or email sales@guardtech.com. For more details on Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms, email www.iso-pod.co.uk.
