A Touch of Exquisiteness

The safety element is pivotal in our lives be it at home or in public spaces but sometimes the designs for these safety components can look boring and unimaginative. Changing your perception is Shimabun Co. Ltd – an establishment that does gratings in mesmerizing designs. 

“Invention is the mother of necessity” is a quote coined by Plato, an Athenian philosopher who is an important figure of the Ancient Greek world. Dating back to around the year 380 B.C., this expression simply means that a challenge or problem is the catalyst to coming up with innovative solutions to overcome certain challenges or problems. 

In a similar vein, in the early 20th century when New York City’s subways lacked ventilation which led to stuffy, unsafe and unhygienic underground subway stations, Walter Irving – a talented engineer designed a system of open metal bars (also known as grating) that could be used as a platform while also allowing free movement of small particles such as air and water. 

Recognized for its’ versatility, the steel grating has been utilized on commercial buildings, industrial plants, offshore platforms, and thousands of applications around the globe. Recognizing the brilliance behind the conceptualization of grating, a Japanese company focusing on manufacturing, supplying and distributing grating products and solutions was established in 1966 as Shimabun Co. Ltd. 

Since its establishment, Shimabun has focused its energy and resources on researching and developing products with a universal design for the residential and construction industry to ensure its products are safe, easy, and comfortable to use by the masses. Shimabun’s success in becoming a leading manufacturer of the grating wasn’t achieved overnight; alas it took years of effort and creativity combined with a pioneering spirit to challenge the limits of technological innovation to create and produce a wide range of products with various materials. 

Shimabun’s repertoire of products includes PVC grating, wood grating,  stainless grating, as well as other accessories such as stainless steel mirror, cerahand, wooden handrail among others. As soon as one mentions PVC grating, some of the familiar terms are swimming pool and safety grating. With every building project, planning and designing is very important because safety is paramount and there is a need to keep the design idea seamless and it is no different with a swimming pool and the grating helps achieve this. 

The swimming pool and safety gratings are built to be flexible where the resin grating can fit into sections as it can be bent in the desired direction. It is also designed to be non-slippery therefore the surface and bottom are made of soft PVC which makes it safe even in wet areas. Available in various colours, these gratings are also lightweight and can be rolled up when cleaning is required which helps reduce re-coating exercises that can be costly.  Possessing strong resistance to harsh weather conditions, the grating is also durable and the narrow gaps between the bars prevent the casualty from occurring. 

As individuals, we frequent swimming pools, gyms, hotels, and hospitals or rehabilitation centres where the flooring could be slippery. When at these places and more, it is important to install anti-skid flooring to keep occupants/visitors of the space safe and Shimabun has developed the SUGRA grating which is an anti-skid floor mat application. Made with high-grade PVC, SUGRA  grating has an anti-slip surface that is easy to maintain while displaying excellent resistance, making it safe and a recommended product to use at areas where places remain wet most of the time.

SUGRA grating has an anti-slip surface where the top is made of soft PVC which makes it safe for one to walk on even if it wet and a 6mm-gap between the bars ensures heels don’t get stuck between the bars which lessen the possibility of mishaps. With a reputation for being durable, steel crossbar covering inside the grating allows for wheels to pass through without a hiccup and the SUGRA grating that is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial is also perfect to be placed indoors or outdoors as it can withstand chemicals and harsh climates. 

Shimabun’s wood grating is Natural Linear Grating that is made of high-grade American Walnut Wood which is exceptionally durable and beautiful with rich colouring and texture that simply enhances the aesthetic of a space. Every component is designed, developed and produced in-house to exacting standards that fit any home and lifestyle.  Under the stainless grating category, some of its products are the Premium Black range, the Raffine range as well as the Classic range. The Natural Linear Grating (previously known as Wood Raffine) was launched at Archidex Exhibition 2017 in Malaysia where the product won the “New Product Award” category for its unique engineering and functional beauty.

Making customer satisfaction its mantra, Shimabun is driven to develop products that employ the latest technologies and to ensure the quality meets the highest standard, all factories and manufacturing processes are painstakingly conducted in Japan. Over the years, Shimabun Co Ltd has won over the trust and loyalty of their clientele within their home ground and internationally and is renowned as a grating specialist manufacturer with a wealth of experience and a solid track record.