As the year draws to a close, we reflect on a period defined by steady progress, operational focus, and a continued commitment to supporting customers across a wide range of industrial sectors. The past twelve months have brought meaningful milestones, from long-standing quality achievements to strategic developments that strengthen our position for the future.

Gaskets and seals underpin the performance of critical equipment, and their reliability directly influences yield, hygiene, and overall process stability. Understanding their role is essential for any operation seeking predictable, high-quality output. That is why Dobson Gaskets provide custom-designed and precision-engineered gaskets tailored to the specific equipment used in alcohol production, from standard fittings to bespoke or legacy components. Our engineering and material-selection expertise helps ensure that each seal performs exactly as intended, even under demanding process conditions.

Three Decades of Quality Assurance

This year marked an important milestone: thirty years since Dobson Gaskets first achieved BS 5750 accreditation, the precursor to what is now recognised globally as the ISO 9001 quality standard.

Maintaining ISO 9001 accreditation for three decades demonstrates our sustained commitment to consistent service, dependable product performance, and disciplined process management. Over the years, the standard has evolved, as has our business, yet our focus remains unchanged, ensuring customers receive reliable sealing solutions supported by robust quality systems. Managing Director, Peter Jeffrey, commented on this milestone:

“Our long-term accreditation is more than a certificate on the wall; it reflects the way we work every day. Continuous improvement is built into our approach across engineering, production, procurement, and customer service. It’s a key part of how we build trust with customers and support strong, long-term partnerships.”

Recognising 25 Years of Service

Our success is built on the contribution of our people, and this year we were pleased to celebrate both Mark Wood and Dave Capstick’s 25-year anniversaries with Dobson Gaskets. Throughout his time with the company, Mark and Dave have played a significant role in our development, supporting major advancements in technologies, materials, and manufacturing techniques. Their expertise has been central to the introduction of new equipment, the refinement of production processes, and the adoption of modern gasket solutions.

Speaking at his silver anniversary presentation in April, Dave praised the culture at Dobsons: “It’s nice that it’s still a family firm,” he reflected. “If you ring up one morning and say something’s gone wrong, you can speak to a director, and they’ll say, ‘We’ll sort that immediately.’ Here, it's not a small firm, but it's a close firm.”

Peter added, “Without Mark and Dave, we wouldn’t have got where we are now. To have two people stay with the company for 25 years speaks volumes.”

Advancing Sustainable Manufacturing

Operational sustainability continues to guide our decision-making, and this year saw important developments in how we manage waste, energy, and resource efficiency. We have expanded our recycling channels, ensuring waste materials are processed through appropriate streams. This includes the conversion of pure rubber offcuts into rubber crumb for safe surfacing applications, an approach that reduces waste and supports circular manufacturing systems. In addition to recycling, we generate our own nitrogen for laser cutting operations. This not only stabilises process quality but also reduces the environmental impact associated with external supply and transport.

One of our most significant sustainability investments this year was the installation of 338 high-efficiency 530W solar panels on the factory roof, as highlighted in the video below. By generating a substantial proportion of our own electricity, we expect to reduce future electricity costs by up to 50%, lower our carbon footprint and strengthen energy resilience and operational stability. This investment supports our long-term strategy to operate responsibly while ensuring customers benefit from a stable, efficient, and modern manufacturing environment.

Looking Ahead

The past year has been one of steady, meaningful progress. We have strengthened our team, expanded our presence in key markets, invested in sustainable production methods, and celebrated milestones that reflect the durability and reliability of our business.

As we move forward, Dobson Gaskets remains committed to delivering consistently high standards, supporting the needs of diverse industrial sectors, developing further sustainable manufacturing processes and investing in people, technology, and relationships. We look forward to building on this year’s achievements and continuing to support our customers with solutions that balance performance, value, and responsible production.