Telford-based company helps veteran explorer attempt the coldest journey on earth

The expedition is being made possible with support from the Commonwealth and a host of sponsors and supporters, amongst them Seymour Manufacturing (SMI) based in Sutton Maddock, Telford.

SMI, the leading manufacturer of thermal insulation products, has been selected to provide bespoke covers made from their proprietary Tempro® material that will cover the expedition’s two specially engineered cabooses, as well as the D6N tractor units towing them.

These cabooses will be not only act as living quarters, but also as the base for a range of scientific work that will take place as part of the expedition. They will also provide storage given that the expedition will be completely self-sufficient for its six month duration and therefore has to carry everything it needs.

When Brian Seymour, Chairman of SMI, was first approached by Sir Ranulph Fiennes he admits it was rather a daunting proposition:

“When Sir Ranulph first asked if we could help to protect him and his team in temperatures of around minus 70˚ Celsius, we knew this meant taking Tempro® and the SMI team well out of our comfort zone. Nonetheless, always keen to take on a challenge, we agreed to make a first cover and put it through initial testing in Sweden earlier this year.

“The results in testing were quite astonishing! We were testing in temperatures of minus 40˚ Celsius, yet inside the covers the temperature recorded (after just 10 minutes of heating every five hours) was plus 10˚ degrees Celsius! A temperature difference of 50˚ Celsius! As one of the reporters present at the testing commented, this makes Tempro® something of a ‘wonder material’!”

As a result of the outstanding performance in Sweden, SMI was commissioned to supply an enormous cover for the 40’ living-quarters caboose; a 20’cover for the science caboose; and two covers for the D6N tractor units that have been specially converted for the expedition by Cannock-based Finning (the No.1 provider for Caterpillar equipment for the UK and Ireland). The two covers for the D6Ns roll up and can be stored on the roof for quick and easy deployment in storm conditions.

Speaking on the day the expedition was announced, Brian Seymour adds:

“We are honoured to be able to assist Sir Ranulph and his team in his latest, and most difficult, challenge to date. We will be keeping a keen eye on progress and look forward to Tempro® having a role to play in this history-changing event.”

The expedition team is due to leave London in early December 2012 and will begin the six-month crossing in March 2013. They are not due to return to the UK until early 2014 due to weather conditions.

The Coldest Journey expedition team will also attempt to raise USD10 million for “Seeing is Believing”, a global charitable initiative to fight avoidable blindness. Sir Ranulph’s charitable endeavours on past expeditions have raised a total of £15m to date.