The World's Premium Abrasive Brand

Saint Gobain, the world’s largest manufacturer of abrasive products, offers a complete range of Norton high performance abrasive products to the worldwide rail industry; supplying many original equipment manufacturers (OEM), rail companies and specialist rail distributors.

Just as innovation is becoming ever more rapid in all areas of the railway industry, so too is the pace quickening in the design and development of new products for rail road repair and maintenance and with an irrefutable reputation for quality and safety, Norton sits at the very forefront of industry innovation.

Its commitment to quality is reinforced through its ‘Centres of Excellence’ which are positioned across the Globe, each concentrating on the development of exciting new products and grains. Each year, substantial investments are made in the areas of research and development in order to manufacture innovative solutions that aim to revolutionise abrasives. As such, Norton has led the way in developing breakthrough patented materials such as Norzon Zirconium oxide, Seeded Gel grain and Vortex grain. This strong commitment to innovation ensures that exciting new products are continuously introduced, offering substantial benefits for its customers.

For example, Norton has shown that it is possible to achieve 8 straight, burn-free cuts from a single cutting wheel using Norzon Zirconia grain which is microcrystalline in structure and therefore produces far more cutting points per grain than conventional aluminium oxide.  Due to its unique structure, much more of its individual grain is consumed before being expelled from the wheel by heat. The key advantage being; that the wheel lasts longer but cuts cooler and straighter producing square cuts – exactly what the rail industry requires.

These results have been obtained on a standard 113Lb rail after vigorous product development work using the innovative ZA24Q BF41; which has been carried out in partnership with the most demanding users in the industry. This product can be found in the new Norton Rail Product Guide which also lists a full range of products designed to cover every aspect of Railroad Repair and Maintenance, from track grinding and cutting on all types of equipment, to diamond products for civil engineering applications. These new generation products have been developed as a direct result of listening, understanding and responding to the brief given by the rail industry:

1. SAFETY IN USE
2. MORE CUTS PER WHEEL
3. FAST CUTTING/GRINDING ACTION
4. BURN FREE CUTS/GRINDS
5. THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SQUARE CUTS

However, Norton's priorities do not stop at improved performance standards. Its first priority is SAFETY and this applies equally to the products, to the people who use them and to its employees. All Norton products are designed and produced to the most stringent quality standards to guarantee optimum personal safety and user comfort and comply with the expectations of European health, safety and environmental standards. FEPA, the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives, is dedicated to the promotion of safety in the use of abrasives and is actively involved in the preparation and implementation of the European (EN) and International Standards Organisation (ISO) for Abrasives and Grinding Machines.

In addition, Norton under Saint-Gobain Abrasives is also an active member of the oSa, the Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives. Thus the oSa symbol on its abrasive signifies enhanced application safety for the user, a reduced liability risk and excellent brand image for manufacturers, traders and those in marketing.

Additionally, ISO 9001 certifies that its Quality Management system is in accordance with the requirements of quality standards, ISO 14001, certifies that’s its Environmental Management system is in accordance with requirements of environmental standards and OHSAS 18001, signifies the health and safety at work certification. Saint-Gobain Abrasives is also certified under the Link-Up Supplier Qualification Scheme.

St. Gobain / Norton Abrasives
Doxey Rd, Stafford, ST16 1EA
Tel: 0845 602 622
Web: www.norton.eu