There are plenty of things in this life that we take for granted: things that we never really think about, but which make our lives just that little bit easier things that ease the burden.
But for some of the people who make such everyday items there is a science – and a pride behind the production. Take carrier bags for example; items you have perhaps never thought worthy of consideration. Of course there is no reason why you should be aware of the art and science behind the scenes when you snap them open and throw in your shopping, but perhaps you should be just a little bit thankful that someone else is.
At Kangaroo Plastics, the pride in production is actually not too far behind the scenes. And it is apparent in every part of the company and every part of the process.
Plastic nags begin life like other plastic items as a by-product of the petrochemical industry, more specifically as a by-product of the ethylene plants. At the moment the raw materials are brought to Dubai from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but soon (by around the year 2000) it is planned they will be available from the United Arab Emirates’ own plant.
The bags begin life in the factory as thousands of small translucent ‘granules,’ the size of large diamond jewels. If the finished products need to be a particular colour it is at this early stage, as the granules are heated and cooled, that the dye is added. They then reappear on rollers in a huge tubular form. Imagine, for example, hundreds of rubbish bags, which have not been perforated and sealed individually, on a giant, roll maybe a meter or more wide.
To achieve this ambition take the good will and often the dedication of the workers in any organization and to this end, the management at Kangaroo Plastics pride themselves on endeavoring to create a more pleasant working and living atmosphere for their staff.
Much of the accommodation for expatriate workers is on site, along with a canteen and recreation area with a canteen and recreation area with satellite television. Advances in these standards have been made in just the last year or so and the management believes that atmosphere and (although it is difficult to make direct comparisons) perhaps the productivity has also improved.
From an initial set up of just two machines producing around 25 tonnes of plastics film and transparent bags in 1977, 20 years on and now embarking on its fourth expansion, Kangaroo Plastics can boast a staff of 130, an ever-increasing range or products and an output of 450-500 tonnes of plastic each month.
Hundreds of thousands of carrier bags are produced in this factory every month. Next time you snap one open and prepare to carry you shopping, you might take time to think beyond the handles and the easing of your burden.