Load Rating and Certification
Gladiator Cargo Nets leads the industry in terms of quality products. But what makes them superior? Why do we use the materials we do? How does the design impact the overall product?
Well, simply put, our nets are the sum of their parts! Each aspect is carefully considered to ensure it aligns with our primary objectives: safety and quality. After creating the proper design and sourcing the best materials, we ensure our goal of safety through acquiring independent, third party analysis of our product and production.
Our certification process is two fold: Working Load Limit (WLL) testing and International Organization Standardization (ISO) certification. Each plays a role in determining the effectiveness of our products.
Since its inception, Gladiator Cargo Nets has certified our nets to the Australian AS/NZS4380:2001 standard, and recently ensured our factory, facilities, and partners are certified to the 9001:2015 standard.
For those unfamiliar with ISO...
"(ISO) is an international nongovernmental organization made up of national standards bodies; it develops and publishes a wide range of proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards and is comprised of representatives from various national standards organizations.
(ISO) develops and publishes standards for a vast range of products, materials, and processes...divided into approximately 97 fields, which include healthcare technology, railway engineering, jewelry, clothing, metallurgy, weapons, paint, civil engineering, agriculture, and aircraft.
(ISO) plays an important role in facilitating world trade by providing common standards among different countries. These standards are intended to ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality...(and) has been credited with setting more than twenty thousand standards, ranging from manufactured products and technology to food safety, agriculture, and healthcare standards." - Investopedia
Now, time to get weight rated!
We had an independent engineering company conduct a "static load test" to determine the maximum working load limit (WLL) of our nets. The test was performed using all our equipment in conjunction to closely simulate the nets being used in real life. This is notable as most "ratings" are provided solely as calculations based off "tinsel strength" of particular materials being used.
The included hardware straps were clipped directly into the grommets built into the nets and suspended. The results of the test determined that the net was actually able to hold and sustain up to 11,250 lbs.! With 4 hardware attachment straps (the standard number included with each net) each net is certified with a WLL of 1,500 lbs. with a safety factor of 3.0.
It was also noted that the securing straps were the only points to stress and the netting itself would be able to hold even heavier loads.
In addition to product and ISO certifications, we are also a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Company, including: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Department of General Services (DGS), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Department of Transportation (DOT), and 8(a).
These ratings and certifications are extremely important to us for multiple reasons. Primarily, it ensures we are making the best possible product we can, and it also assures us of our commitment to quality and safety. Secondarily, it is also a requirement to work with many large companies!
We are incredibly proud of the work we have done up until now... but are constantly improving. We refuse to be complacent and are always seeking ways to improve our products, services, company, and ourselves.
So the next time you are considering a cargo net (or any protective covering for your gear or equipment) make sure you consider its credentials!