Gard Chemicals is a privately-owned family business formed in 1977 to formulate and develop industrial cleaning and maintenance chemical products.
The business originally worked with and supplied the former British Rail organisation, so Gard has a long history within the rail industry.
In 2008 Gard Chemicals was approached by a Japanese train manufacturing company who required a bespoke formulation to clean and maintain their units.
Their criteria was that any chemical used for this particular application had to be pH neutral, due to the materials used in the train’s construction.
This was previously unheard of as typically units were cleaned with acid and alkaline-based materials.
This presented a new and exciting challenge for Gard, but such opportunities have enabled us to grow and develop.
Working with a UK-based laboratory, Gard Chemicals was able to formulate a new and revolutionary formulation which, after a couple of minor changes, gained approval from the manufacturer in Japan.
Gard RSC pH neutral cleaner for rolling stock was born, and production began in late 2009.
It’s currently supplied on a regular basis to numerous TOCs within the UK market and overseas.
There is a limited base of formulators and manufacturers still operating within the UK, and Gard Chemicals is recognised as a key player across the rail sector.