Development and growth in X-ray shielding

Last year, Raybloc (X-Ray Protection), which is based in Willenhall in the West Midlands, marked the passing of
25 years since its foundation. Established in 1999, the family-owned business is now run by the third generation that still strives towards the vision of being the leading innovator in changing the face of radiation shielding worldwide. The company's strong foundation is woven in the threads of hard work and passion. From a humble beginning, operating from a small garage in Willenhall, to a massive manufacturing facility in the same town, the company has come a long way. Our journey is a testament to unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a relentless drive for excellence, that have raised the bar of radiation shielding products, and that will further prepare them for the future.

Raybloc's story began in 1999, when Project manager, Sean Haydon, and Chief carpenter, Leonard 'Len' Street, decided to address a gap in the market for high-quality radiation shielding solutions. Sean was then working as a Project manager at Wolverson X-Ray, where he first identified a need for a reliable X-ray screen. With Len's expertise in carpentry and engineering, the pair set out to design a solution that would meet the high standards of the healthcare industry. "We wanted to offer more than just a product; our aim was also to offer peace of mind," Sean Haydon recalls.

Their breakthrough came when they developed a high-quality X-ray screen, undertook an in-house photo shoot, and secured coverage for it in Rad Magazine (a specialist medical imaging title read by radiologists, radiotherapists, radiographers, and medical imaging specialists). The publication featured their product, and — soon afterwards — a representative from Philips contacted them to ask about the screen. By offering a shorter lead time for such a product — four weeks, compared with the usual eight, they secured a significant order from the multinational.