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For many years, Minkon-Fortafix has supplied its high temperature and fire-resistant products and solutions to a number of global markets. The company has a long-established network of resellers, as far away as the USA and as close to home as the Republic of Ireland. Working with a select group of trusted partners has proved to be a successful approach for the company, delivering wider penetration for the Fortafix brand and a significant growth in international business.

Things were very different back in 1982. Britain was at war with Argentina, Bucks Fizz were topping the charts with 'The Land of Make Believe' and 'E.T. The Extra Terrestrial' was released to cinemas. Shops were closed on Sundays by law and many public utilities were state owned. There were only three television stations, with Channel 4 launching later that year. Del Boy and Rodney graced our screens with their wheeling-dealing antics and the Ford Cortina was replaced by the Ford Sierra with a starting price of just £4,783.

It's amazing to think that the first web page was produced less than 30 years ago. Communications have been completely transformed and it's difficult to remember a time before the Internet. We have embraced a 24/7 society in which we shop online, bank online, work online, entertain ourselves online, communicate with friends and family online and even fall in love online. Through the current pandemic where would we have been without our digital infrastructure and where would family and friends have been without the likes of Zoom and Teams? - "I think you're on mute, Nana!".

Over the course of many years, Fortafix has developed a comprehensive range of trusted stove and heating products. Although the brand has produced glues and cements since the early 1900s, it was in the 1950s that Fortafix first introduced a number of high temperature adhesives and sealants. Since that time the brand has become synonymous with products and solutions for extreme environments.

Over one and a half million Brits fired up their multi-fuel stoves this winter, a number which looks set to grow. With over 200,000 stoves sold annually in the UK, more and more families are being drawn to the financial appeal of installing a log burner, as the cost of electricity and gas continues to rise. A worldwide squeeze on energy supplies has pushed the price of gas up to unprecedented levels, and the UK is relatively hard-hit because about 85% of homes have gas central heating, and gas generates a third of the country's electricity.

We've had a fabulous summer of sport. Just a few weeks ago our national teams competed in the Euros. After a hiatus of fifteen years, the whole of Scotland swelled with pride as their team proved they too could boogie; Gareth Bale and his team of dragons flew high by driving Wales through to the last 16. And then, of course, there was England.

The Minkon-Fortafix Team like a challenge and over the years they've been faced with lots of intriguing customer requests. Many have captured the imagination, others have really made the Team smile and a few have raised an eyebrow or two. No matter the request, the Team has always tried its best to advise customers across a wide range of projects.

Over many years Fortafix has built an enviable reputation for innovative solutions and has long been recognised for its technical development in sealing, joining and surface protection within a wide range of challenging industries.

2020 has been a difficult and challenging time for everybody. The year has certainly taken its toll on many businesses: impacting companies, their employees and supply chains. For Minkon, owners of Fortafix (the UK's leading supplier of adhesives, sealants, cements and coatings for high temperature applications), this year has certainly been a test of resilience. As Mal Dodds, managing director, explains, "It's been one of the biggest challenges of the brand's 70 year history."

With the development of a new ecommerce website, due for launch in December, managers at Fortafix have discovered the brand is significantly older than first thought.

It's been a whole 10 years since Fortafix launched 'Flueseal'. Developed to help installers of modern wood burning stoves, it is now recognised by many in the industry as the leading flue adhesive sealant.

2020 has been a difficult year for many but it has shown the strength of Fortafix's relationships with its customers, suppliers and employees. The company has managed to keep busy throughout the crisis, working hard to meet the needs of its customers, with no drop in staff numbers and no marked decrease in productivity.