TenCate - Geotube

Who we are
TenCate is a multinational company that combines textile technology with related chemical processes. We develop and produce specialist materials with specific properties. Protective materials for fire-fighting clothing, and strong, lightweight materials in aircraft are good examples of these, as are materials that block UV radiation for applications like tentcloth and awnings.

TenCate’s activities can be divided into four areas of application:

• Safety and protection
• Aerospace
• Sport and recreation
• Infrastructure and the environment.

TenCate has divided these segments into the eight divisions that are shown at the top of the screen on the right. Each division has its own products, applications and markets.

Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) is a multinational company which combines textile technology with chemical processes in the development and production of functional materials. On this technological basis, TenCate develops a range of applications (productmarket- technology combinations) aimed at growth markets.

TenCate materials are mainly used for:

• Personal safety and protection of the living and working environment;
• Modernisation of equipment used by armed forces, fire brigades and police;
• Aerospace (lower fuel costs due to lighter materials);
• Water management, infrastructure and environmental care;
• Industrial applications.

TenCate selects market areas mainly on the basis of global trends, specifically in the safety/protection and sustainability/ environmental fields. With regard to the characteristics of the materials (specifications), the markets are usually regulated by governments or agencies on the basis of legislation and regulations. TenCate’s direct customers are mainly public-sector bodies, system integrators, original equipment manufac turers and their direct suppliers.

TenCate presents itself as a developer and producer of materials, modules and systems with distinctive characteristics. The company operates a value-chain model aimed at occupying distinctive positions by means of technological innovation, cost leadership, product differentiation and end-user marketing.

TenCate develops solutions for end-users by operating in network structures, such as open innovation centres, partnerships and co-creation, and by making acquisitions in complementary fields (product-markettechnology combinations). The solutionfocused system approach plays a key role. The policy of value-chain control has enabled TenCate to secure leading positions in worldwide niche markets.

TenCate employs around 4,350 people worldwide and strives to operate in an ethically and socially responsible way. TenCate encourages its employees to be enterprising, flexible and creative, thereby demonstrating its aim of achieving progress and sustainability for all stakeholders.

TenCate develops and produces functional materials which are distinctive in terms of their characteristics. TenCate focuses on worldwide trends in the field of safety / protection and sustainability / environment, as well as derivative themes, which promote the growth of the company.

Markets demand specific critical functionalities to meet specific needs, which are usually determined by standardisation or legislation and regulations. Safety / protection and sustainability / environment are trends that are tightly regulated worldwide.

TenCate operates in the field of material science. Technological development is an important means of complying with standards and meeting requirements or adjusting standards in such a way that progress can be made in terms of functionalities.

TenCate products are used in systems. TenCate increasingly provides the overall solution, either independently or in co-operation with partners.

Progress is one of the principal motives of TenCate. The company aims to be a leader in providing sustainable solutions for complex requirements relating to personal protection and protection of the personal environment. TenCate has secured a leading position in its markets worldwide, partly as a result of its broad technological competence.

TenCate’s strategy is based on the concept of global value chain management. On this basis TenCate works with numerous links in the chain in sustainable growth markets. The four cornerstones of this policy are:

• End-user marketing and an industrial intellectual property policy;
• Product differentiation, targeted at specific applications and customer requirements;
• Technological innovation;
• Cost leadership.

Sustainability is a subject that is increasingly coming under the spotlight. It is not only end users but also analysts and shareholders who are taking an ever more critical look at the social policy of a company. In its policy and its communications on this subject, TenCate intends to speak out more emphatically about its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In its annual report TenCate describes the steps it is taking in relation to CSR as ‘searching for the right format’. The key aims of RTC and its operating companies worldwide are currently to be found in the following subjects:

• Minimizing environmental impact in the production process;
• Introducing environmental management systems at its operating companies (ISO 14001);
• Quality of products;
• Safety and expertise among employees;
• Integrity;
• Innovations;
• Respect for society.

As a global operating company TenCate develops and produces functional materials with distinctive characteristics and added value. These materials contribute in a positive way to progress, especially social and environmental issues such as safety and protection, environmental benefits and saving energy. There might also be efficiency, logistics and other (costs) benefits for users of these materials. In a technology-driven world should risks for people, environment and equipment remain manageable wherever possible. Then, sustainable protection is our guidance.

Materials science
For the development and production of new functional materials TenCate draws from technological change and innovation. Both can be outside the core areas of TenCate. Because textile technology, chemical engineering and materials technology develop into materials science, new functional materials replace existing or future creations.

Enabling technologies
TenCate constantly identifies technological developments, so called enabling technologies. From this derive new materials, new solutions and new systems. On this basis, in the - near or far - future new product-market-technology combinations arise within our company.

As long ago as 1691 the Ten Cate family protested about an increase in import duties by England. The first official Ten Cate document dates from 1704.

Two branches

The current TenCate company has its roots in Almelo and Nijverdal. The firm of H. ten Cate Hzn. & Co operated independently in Almelo until 1957. Thomas Ainsworth laid the basis for the Royal Steam Weaving Mill (KSW) in Nijverdal in 1836. In 1957 the two former competitors turned the existing cooperation into a merger. The NV Textilefabrieken ten Cate / KSW was born.

After a change of name to Royal Nijverdal–Ten Cate in 1982, and to Royal Ten Cate nv in 1995, the last step was taken to the current TenCate in 2006.