An international company with a philosophy and practice in specialisation, customer orientation and innovation for performance chemicals.

James Robinson is a tightly focused company involved in the development, manufacture and supply of a wide range of speciality chemicals. The company serves key markets such as hair dyes, the photographic chemicals industry and pharmaceuticals sector. A novel range of photochromic pigments has recently been developed, for a wide range of applications including opthalmics, plastics and coatings. A global business with significant sales in all major countries in Europe, North and South America and the Asia Pacific region, James Robinson provides major multi-nationals with the highest levels of service, reliability and quality. The company is part of the worldwide Yule Catto Group which is committed to a liberating decentralised management structure. This freedom and flexibility allows James Robinson to operate individually and respond immediately to new market developments and the specific needs of customers. The company has three manufacturing sites, in Huddersfield, England, which also serves as the headquarters, in Dieburg, Germany and, more recently, in Vapi, India. All three sites offer totally integrated manufacturing capabilites, incorporating research and development, production and pilot plant facilities. The German site is also Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved.

The business objectives of James Robinson are simple and effective: to work in alliance with customers to innovate and develop new speciality products; to continue that close partnership throughout market testing; to supply commercially viable products, reliably and consistently.

Creative Innovation

James Robinson has dedicated R&D teams based in Huddersfield (UK) and Dieburg (Germany). Our high ratio of top level research staff in relation to the overall size of the company’s workforce is living proof of our commitment to innovation. In-house laboratories at both sites feature the latest testing and analysis equipment. This investment in people and technology enables quick and accurate development procedures and the shortest possible timescales from new product to commercial sales. Commercially-minded, not just scientifically-focused, James Robinson uses pilot plants to supply sufficient samples of chemicals for customers to test-market new products. This facility gives customers total confidence in the future demand for potential products before they commence full-scale manufacture.

In-house R&D efforts are currently focussed on several areas of interest, including:

• development of products to build on and complement existing ranges
• utilisation of novel chemistries in colourant manufacture
• tailoring of products to individual customer requirements
• researching into novel chromophores and lumophores for a wide range of traditional and hi-tech applications.

In addition, James Robinson continues to collaborate in research programmes with world-class academic institutions. The company has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in colourant and intermediate chemistry and is keen to hear from organisations that would like to either source novel fine chemicals or to establish a supply of high quality conventional materials.

The company is also willing to consider toll manufacture or to act as a co-producer. The R&D department is on hand to work closely with customers on product development.

Customer Orientation

To many major customers, James Robinson is regarded as an extension of their business. Joint collaboration on projects is actively encouraged - ideas for new products can be initiated by James Robinson or customers can make the first approach for development work. This pro-active partnership enables the whole company to deliver a constant stream of successful products, year after year. The close working arrangements also contributes to long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with customers.

Quality Operation

Quality control is rigorous. Key raw materials are tested coming into the plants and products only leave when they conform to agreed specifications. Technical assistance is equally thorough, with dedicated applications support for the hair dyes and photochromics markets, and a rapid response to customer requests. The company also has a special environmental team to oversee the integrity of structures and processes. James Robinson always strives to ensure that demand can be met. As a manufacturer, the company has total control over production and operates optimum stock levels. Customers can, therefore, be sure of the quality of the product and the reliability of the delivery. In addition to which, the facilities, in England, Germany and India, offer multi-site manufacture and supply for back-up resources, whenever necessary.