Celebrating over 25 years of Perspex® acrylic fabrication

Celebrating over 25 years of Perspex® acrylic fabrication, when Inplas fabrications look back over their top projects they’ve worked on it reads like a who’s who of British film, brands and entertainment venues.  

Since setting up in 1995, Inplas fabrications were one of the founding customers of Perspex Distribution, and have grown to be one of the most recognised names in acrylic fabrication. 

Their West London factory is ideally located in proximity to numerous film studios.  This work has included huge Hollywood films including Guardians of the Galaxy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, Start Wars and James Bond.

Most of us have enjoyed finished projects from Inplas whether it is their work for blockbuster films, high end glazing displays for museum artefacts or promotions for leading brands.

Planned celebrations for Inplas’ 25^th anniversary in April 2020 were delayed with the start of Covid-19. 

Demonstrating their ability to quickly transform and adapt to the demands around them, Managing Director Trevor Smith was in a position to quickly point their fabrication skillset towards production of bespoke Covid screens for the NHS and retail keyworkers.

With design, creativity and last minute solutions being at the core of what has driven Inplas for 26 years, it is fitting that they have been able to adapt their business to play an important role in the fight against Covid this year.

One year on, Trevor and the team are enjoying the return of work in the film and promotion industry once again, Trevor takes us back to some of his favourite projects he has enjoyed since the company started.

“We have been lucky to have worked on some fantastic projects over the years” says Trevor.  “We continue to be inspired by the ideas and aspirations of our customers, it is our job to turn their vision into reality and hopefully wow them in the process.”

A recent highlight for the music lovers at Inplas was when they were commissioned to produce a custom designed, clear Perspex® acrylic mixing desk  for world famous DJ Dimension.   Inplas MD Trevor Smith explains “Dimension had a concept of how he wanted his new show to look – including a centre piece that nobody else has ever seen.  The unique mixing controller had to incorporated nine ‘instruments’ within the system and be sturdy enough to tour the world."

In 2015 Inplas were commissioned to complete a prestigious project for publishers Harper Collins with bespoke interior decorations for their new London HQ.  

Laser cut Perspex® acrylic colours were intricately cut into a selection of eye catching quotations and graphics representing some of Harper Collins most famous books as well as bespoke display cases to display literature first editions.

Working closely with Acrylicize, Inplas fabricated a stunning feature wall for Engine’s head office in Great Portland Street, London in 2010.

The huge wall — 3 metres high and over 15 metres in length — comprises 120 individually fabricated Perspex® frost blocks with every section a custom depth offset and many of the sections are also internally LED-illuminated for added impact.

Trevor commented “The project was particularly challenging because the design had to work within the constraints of an existing structure with a large sweeping radius — and with no original CAD drawings available. Bespoke templates were created on site to ensure a perfect fit was achieved and installation went smoothly.”

Inplas Fabrications specialist knowledge of technical grades of material was called upon for a unique restoration project at the ‘Battle of Britain Bunker’ in 2018. Inplas Fabrications were tasked with producing  protective glazing for the 16sqm hand-painted plotting map of South East England and Western Europe once used to direct RAF fighter aircraft during the Battle or Britain and D-Day.

“We couldn’t have been prouder to be involved in this special project.  Visiting the site and working within the deep, dark rooms really brought home the fascinating history just a few miles from our factory.” 

When bespoke Perspex® acrylic specialists Inplas Fabrications opened their doors over 26 years ago, their first project was for designer Jonathan Green.  Recently, Inplas had the pleasure of working with Jonathan once again and celebrated their latest collaboration – the Gin Trolley – for Quench Home Bars. The 10mm Perspex® acrylic was diamond polished in-house by Inplas before invisible UV-bonded produced the trademark sharp modern look created by Inplas.  18mm laminated birth ply gives the product a feeling of solidity juxtaposed against the clear Perspex® acrylic.

“This is an industry I have now worked in for over 39 years and no 2 days are ever the same.  When I started Inplas fabrications, it really was a step into the unknown however our dedicate team and loyal customer base have helped to push us forward each year.”

“After 25 years of very hard graft and some really high profile work working on the most incredible projects, 2020 was one of our most important and we were humbled to be able to play a small part in the protection of keyworkers and the public through these times.”

“It has been fantastic to see the resilience of our customer base and we are really excited get stuck into our 27^th year trading and showcase the talents of our fabrication and design team.”