Over the coming weeks, we will be showcasing all of our 2020 Kit Partners, Training Range Partners, Rewards Partners and First Team Player Sponsors.
Widnes Vikings are proud to be sponsored by Emerald Kalama for the 2020 season.
Emerald Kamala Chemicals (EKC) is a business group of Emerald Performance Materials (EPM) employing about 500 employees primarily in Europe and America.
Widnes is the only UK site in the Group and was acquired by Emerald in 2015, employing around 100 people and supporting another 30 ‘term contractors’ primarily in maintenance and facility management roles.
In the last 2 years the site has actively been increasing their presence and sponsorship in the local community, which has led to a major partnership with Widnes Vikings, seeing the business become main sponsors of the Learning Disability Rugby League team.
The Emerald Kalama logo has been proudly displayed on the front of the LD Super League shirt since its inception, as the team have competed across the country including a memorable debut at Anfield during Magic Weekend.
Vikings supporters will also see the Emerald Kalama brand on the collar of the 2020 Training Range, and they are also proud sponsors of Academy Graduate and First Team member Calum O’Neill.
Emerald as a company produces a broad range of specialist materials, such as Benzoic acid, Benzaldehyde, flavour and fragrance ingredients and rubber additives. At Widnes however, manufacturing is focused on active ingredients that are used in fragrances and flavours.
This has been the heart of the site’s manufacturing base since it was first developed back in 1957 by Bush Boake Allen. As with the local community, the company aims to work with its customers in a collaborative way so that by understanding their requirements it can use its knowhow and innovative materials solutions to bring added value to the relationships.
Main end uses for the products made at Widnes are household and personal hygiene products, so despite the current coronavirus pandemic the site is still required to operate. Though most office staff are managing to work home with a few visits to the office, the operations teams are working round the clock on their normal shift patterns to make the products to fulfil customer orders.
Whilst on site however, employees and contractors are required to adhere to strict social distancing and hygiene regimes based on government and NHS advice. It is necessary to behave responsibly at work as well as outside work to limit the chance of spreading infection. Unfortunately, it has been necessary to reduce support activities to safety and essential jobs only, which has meant a lot of contract support staff have been asked not to come in during the current lockdown.
Though supplies of hand sanitiser, masks, safety glasses and gloves are in short supply the site has managed to support some local care homes and hospices with items from its own limited stock.
Graham Smith, Site Director at Emerald Kalama, commented, “Stay safe, stay healthy and we’re looking forward to seeing The Vikings resume their winning ways when the right time comes and it is safe to do so.”
To find out more about our 2020 Partners, Emerald Kalama, click on the below button to visit their website.
Widnes Vikings would like to thank Emerald Kalama for their valued sponsorship of the club.
