Rail Collaboration, Innovation & Safety

Summary

The HoldFast brand has become synonymous with rail infrastructure safety and innovation. It truly reflects what can be achieved between railway supplier and railway infrastructure through industry collaboration and innovation.

History

Founded by Peter Coates Smith in 1987, HoldFast grew to become global leaders in the design, manufacturing and supply of road, rail and urban platforms. Peter designed and developed the world’s first rubber rail / road platforms made from 100% recycled waste rubber and oversaw its international commercial success before his son, Mark Coates Smith, further grew the business in recent years.

International Commercial Success

The HoldFast system’s simple installation, low maintenance and long life span led to thousands of installations across the world. Initially, manufacturing was in the USA before being switched to Yorkshire from 1999. From 2000, export sales grew exponentially. Meanwhile, in the UK, HoldFast was instrumental to the rail modernisation programmes through the 00s, in particular the West Coast Modernisation Programme. HoldFast crossing platforms were designed for any situation, including ports and harbours; inner city metros; pedestrian and farm; emergency platforms; steelworks, power stations and junctions. From highway installations in Scotland to an 80 metre platform in Pilzen, and Supertram depot platforms in Sheffield, they continue to survive in the most challenging locations. Via its distributors it exported to countries including Latvia; Spain; Italy Czech Republic; Austria; Switzerland; Germany; Australia; Luxembourg; France; Portugal; Holland; Israel and Sweden. Other successes included the world’s first rubber road /rail highway, launched to the world’s media in Corby, and a range of accessories to improve pedestrian and traffic safety at level crossings.

Industry Acclaim

HoldFast awards have included the prestigious Queens’ Award For Innovation in 2002 (it was then the smallest company to be awarded this), the HSBC Rail Supplier Of The Year (beating giants such as GB Railfreight), The Green Apple Award and The Network Rail Environment Award – recognising the recycling of over ten million tyres.

Recent History

In a brave and considered move to effect renewal of ethos and purpose, Mark Coates Smith took the decision in 2013 for HoldFast to assign its rights in its existing product range to its manufacturers, Rosehill Polymers, in order to focus on researching and developing a new wave of products.

Our Future

HoldFast is an innovative solution-seeking company. Outsourcing expertise and manufacturing and a corporate structure committed to maintaining low overheads has sustained its innovative culture through its history. In line with this ethos, HoldFast is allowing Mark Coates Smith to again develop and research new innovations for the Rail industry . HoldFast looks forward to sharing these with friends, partners and associates in due course.

Cam Screws have been used for many years, not just to hold down the Omni rubber panels but for also connecting timber sleeper to timber sleeper for use in the particular occasion that sleepers are used to create a simple agricultural or pedestrian crossing. The screws are typically 10 1/2″ by 5/8″ and have a star shaped head. The 1″ (25mm) drive / chuck to suit a Banse Impact Wrence along with either a 1 3/4″ (40mm) or 3 1/2″ (90mm) are used to drive the screws in.

You can contact us on the following address, or use the form below:

Holdfast Solutions

Brockenhurst Cheap Street,
Chegworth, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire,
GL54 4AA

Tel: 07970 656143