ESD Flooring and Water-Based Sealer for Kia Automotive’s Facility

Overview:

Kia Automotive, a vehicle manufacturing company, consistently strives for excellence and efficiency. With this in mind, they rely heavily on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) to streamline business processes and maintain precision in material handling. 

However, when heading to build a new facility, the company encountered several challenges. One of the major problems was AGV system flooding. It was when they contacted Sealwell to get an effective industrial flooring solution.

Our client’s requirements – 

• A robust flooring solution that can mitigate AGV system challenges and enhance floor efficiency.
• Highly durable flooring option to withstand heavy traffic, and is easy to clean and maintain.
• A protective sealer that can prevent moisture, dirt, and stains, ensuring long-lasting performance. 

Challenges:

Since the facility was completely new, it was easy for our team to assess the surface and determine the areas of difficulty. These include – 

• The floor is devoid of proper discharge pathways
• Electrostatic discharge due to excessive AGV deployment
• High humidity levels and occasional water leaks

Our Objectives:

Considering the client’s requirements and understanding the challenges, our primary objective was to install a flooring solution that could prevent AGV system flooding. We aim to create a safer and more reliable work environment for automated operations.

Our Solution and Implementation:

After a comprehensive assessment, Sealwell recommended two-part solutions for the automotive facility.

1. Water-Based Sealer – It acts as a barrier that prevents water from seeping into the surface and damaging the entire floor or AGV systems.
2. ESD or Electrostatic Discharge Flooring – It is designed to dissipate static electricity safely to the ground, protecting sensitive electronic devices from getting damaged. 

We follow a simple and effective 3-step process to implement the solution with minimal downtime. The installation process involves –

• Preparation of the surface
• Application of ESD flooring solution
• Finally, coating a water-based sealer to protect against moisture

Results:

After installing the ESD flooring system and applying a coat of water-based sealer, we developed significant improvements across the surface.

• Lower the risk of electrostatic discharge
• Improved AGV performance and longevity
• Lower maintenance requirements
• Moisture-resistant and high-sustainability

Client Feedback:

Kia Automotive was pretty much impressed with our robust, high-quality flooring solution. While expressing gratitude, the client said, “We were losing hope when we found that our newly developed facility failed to meet the industry standards and safety guidelines. It was Sealwell’s flooring solution that has made all the difference, ensuring our operations run smoothly and efficiently.”