Challenge
Dealing with anti-fatigue mats that were quickly curing and going flat, insoles wearing out quickly, and operators becoming frustrated with their standing surfaces, global tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres needed to make a major change.
"I hated anti-fatigue mats," says EHS Specialist Amanda Eskew. "They are slip/trip hazards, they slide around, and they curl up. They wear down and operators 'sink' into the mats which hurts their ankles. In an effort to make things better, I tried to get insoles for operators instead. The insoles lasted 6 months, and I was back to where I started. Then I found AcroMat."
"AcroMat has done nothing but meet, then exceed, our expectations," continues Amanda. "We no longer have to worry about our anti-fatigue mats, and that's entirely the point."
In this case study video, Amanda and three of her operators share how Nokian Tyres transformed employee safety, morale and productivity in partnership with AcroMat.
Solution
Starting with a free trial mat
When Amanda first contacted AcroMat with her challenges, the two sides put an action plan in place. AcroMat’s first course of action was to send Amanda’s team a free, full-sized custom mat to make sure the mats were comfortable for her people and held up in their facility.
"AcroMat cut me a free sample mat worth $800, and it was at our plant in 3 days," says Amanda. "Operators couldn't stop talking about how much better it was than our other mats."
After a few months, when Amanda and her team were confident the mat provided the safety and support they were looking for, they made a sizable investment.
Custom 100-1 Series anti-fatigue mat designed and precision-cut for Nokian Tyres.
Putting an end to sliding mats
Nokian Tyres’ previous anti-fatigue mats were "sliding all over the place." Amanda and her team removed the old mats and tried insoles, but the insoles wore out in less than 6 months.
Certain mat materials are prone to sliding, including PVC foam, because they aren’t designed not to slide. Conversely, 100% nitrile is designed to remain in place. The closed cell foam material is impervious to liquids and chemicals, thus naturally slide-resistant. Amanda designed a slew of nitrile mats for her team, adding AcroMat's non-slip backing Grip-R to each mat.
"It’s been 18 months since we first purchased our mats, and they look almost brand-new," says Amanda. "They haven’t budged or slid an inch since I first applied them."
Grip-R is AcroMat's proprieaty non-slip coating, eco-bio friendly, compliant with OSHA regulations, and safe on all floor types. Nokian Tyres has had Grip-R applied to every mat.
Putting an end to curling borders
As lower-quality anti-fatigue mats age, especially in more intense manufacturing environments with oils and chemicals, the anti-fatigue padding will shrink, buckle and eventually curl. This creates an obvious trip hazard.
At AcroMat, we combine 100% nitrile with an exclusive cut-and-bond design process that allows us to guarantee, as part of our 2-year full replacement performance warranty, that our mats will not curl. Pure nitrile nitrile is also guaranteed not to sink or flatten, ever, eliminating the sore ankle issue Amanda's team was previously dealing with.
Custom AcroMat NitriTuf Diamond Series mat in Nokian Tyres' facility. 18 months into use.
Custom shapes create a glove-like fit
Nokian Tyres needed custom shapes to fit unique layouts. Rather than continue to try and piece together rectangular mats that didn't fit, causing trip hazards, Amanda used AcroSketch to design custom mats precisely to fit each individual workstation.
The glove-like fit combined with 100% nitrile and Grip-R ensure each mat remains in place for its entire functional lifespan (~5 years on average).
"AcroMat has made such a difference for my operators," says Amanda. "It’s been a year since I purchased our first mats from AcroMat, in a 24/7 facility, and they still look brand new. I cannot say enough positive things about these mats and this company."
Quotes from the Video Case Study
"Making my employees' jobs easier and safer is the best way to show that you care, the best way to improve employee morale and safety, and really build that relationship with them. AcroMat helps me do that."
–Amanda Eskew, CSP, EHS Specialist
"Fantastic mats. Yeah, fantastic. I noticed a decrease in soreness right away."
–Christopher Dotson, Lead Operator & Mentor
"I don't trip anymore. These mats are easier to clean and more comfortable. I'm not getting the ankle and feet pain I was getting before."
–Caitlynn Bishop, Operator
"I would tell you they're an amazing product. They're soft, comfortable, and don't slide all over the place. They stay in place and provide comfort all day."
–Jessica Krug, Operator
Watch and read more from AcroMat client partners: Testimonials.
Try an AcroMat anti-fatigue mat today: Request a free sample.