Eight pages. One very busy chapter.
Issue 5 of the Beldam Crossley newsletter is here, bringing together our latest company news, engineering insights, product developments, people stories, sustainability progress and manufacturing investment.
From receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade to tackling demanding subsea movement, chemical-processing and marine-sealing challenges, this issue shows how our people, products and partnerships continue to move Beldam Crossley forward.
Read Newsletter Issue 5 online | Download Newsletter Issue 5 as a PDF
It Takes Teamwork to Make the Dream Work
We begin with one of the proudest announcements in Beldam Crossley’s long history. In 2026, Beldam Crossley received the King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, recognising the company’s overseas growth, specialist UK manufacturing expertise and long-standing relationships with customers and partners around the world.
Read the full King’s Award for Enterprise story.
Small Component. Big Responsibility.
Subsea bearings may represent only a small part of a much larger offshore system, but their influence on load transfer, friction, movement and long-term structural performance can be substantial. Engineers must consider compressive loading, creep, wear, seawater exposure, design life and future accessibility.
Read Ian’s full article on subsea bearings, and meet Tom, our new Head of Quality.
PTFE Is a Starting Point – Not a Specification
Chemical compatibility matters, but a finished polymer component may also need to carry load, resist creep and wear, maintain dimensional stability, accommodate movement or operate safely around flammable media. Issue 5 explores how Beldam Crossley connects application, material and component design before moulding, machining and finishing Crossflon® polymer parts in-house.
Read why chemical resistance alone is not enough, or use our Crossflon® material-selection and precision-parts hub.
The Hatch Seal Is Part of the Safety System
Marine tank hatch packing contributes directly to cargo containment, leakage prevention, operational reliability and confidence in the wider vessel safety system. Issue 5 looks at why consistent construction, compression recovery, chemical compatibility, traceability and controlled manufacturing matter.
Explore UK-manufactured Pilot® Lidpack®, read our Posidonia 2026 review, or see our buyer notice for genuine Pilot® Lidpack®.
Local Expertise. Global Standards.
This issue shines a spotlight on the decades-long relationship between Beldam Crossley and Wakasugi Co. Ltd in Japan, shaped through shared expertise, dependable service and a commitment to marine reliability.
Discover the Beldam Crossley and Wakasugi story, or find a local partner in our Distributor Directory.
Progress Is Powered by People
Meet Harry Thompson, our final-year manufacturing maintenance apprentice. Issue 5 also shares our latest sustainability progress, including Carbon Literacy Silver, 100% renewable electricity, machine-level energy monitoring and an approximate 48% reduction in Scope 1 emissions since 2023.
Read Harry’s apprenticeship story, and explore our sustainability progress and 2025 report.
Big Machine. Tight Squeeze. Greater Capacity.
Getting our new 32-carrier industrial braiding machine into position required careful planning, widened access points, teamwork and one exceptionally committed weekend. The investment increases capacity for UK-manufactured Pilot® Lidpack® and other specialist braided sealing products.
Explore the Pilot® Lidpack® range or contact our team about a marine sealing requirement.
150 Years of Lessons – and We Are Still Moving Forward
The fifth instalment of our Reflections series looks back at the role played by Beldam Packing and Henry Crossley’s business during the First World War, when apparently small engineering components were essential to steam systems, ships, pumps, valves and industrial machinery.
Explore the history of Beldam Crossley and follow the Reflections series.
Read Beldam Crossley Newsletter Issue 5
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Open the interactive edition and turn through Issue 5 using our convenient online flipbook.
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Have a component, application or engineering challenge you would like us to review? Contact Beldam Crossley and tell us what the part needs to do, where it will operate and what problem you are trying to solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in Beldam Crossley Newsletter Issue 5?
Issue 5 includes the King’s Award for Enterprise, subsea-bearing engineering, Crossflon® polymer material selection, Pilot® Lidpack® marine sealing, distributor partnerships, employee stories, sustainability progress, company history and new manufacturing investment.
Can I read the newsletter online?
Yes. The complete newsletter is available as an interactive online flipbook.
Can I download a PDF copy?
Yes. Download the PDF here.
Who is the newsletter written for?
The newsletter is relevant to engineers, technical designers, equipment manufacturers, procurement professionals, shipowners, vessel operators, distributors, customers and anyone interested in UK manufacturing and engineered sealing or polymer solutions.
