S.Z.T.K TAPS - Maciej Kowalski - Passenger Seat Construction and Upholstery

Since 1989, TAPS has specialized in the production of seats for public transport for regional, intercity and urban train cars - and railway vehicles in particular.

TAPS began by remaking seats for refurbished railway cars, but the construction of new seats appeared a better way for the company to develop. TAPS created a project-design department, the work of which brought our first construction – business class seats. Today, TAPS' seats and couchettes are an integral part both of the refurbished rolling stock of the PKP (Polish State Railways) and of newly constructed rail cars.

TAPS also assures service after the guarantee period. The level of comfort offered by TAPS' seats is optimised by studied and tested ergonomics factors. The modular and modern design of our seat elements is suited to all clients' needs and requirements.

FOAM MOULDING AND VACUUM FORMING TECHNOLOGY FOR RAIL CAR SEATING

TAPS' production and machinery facilities enable modern and efficient foam moulding and vacuum forming technology. Using this new technology, TAPS constructs seats and proposes equipment for new railway cars and prototypes.

Innovation and production quality contributed to the implementation on the Polish market of anti-vandal seats for urban and suburban public transport. TAPS delivered such seats to, among others, the Warsaw Underground (from the very beginning).

The company continues to equip this underground by installing our seats in new cars made by Alstom. Furthermore, TAPS anti-vandal seats are used by tramway passengers in Warsaw, Gdansk and Wroclaw.

ERGONOMIC SEAT DESIGN AND REFURBISHMENT

The aim of the company's research is to modernize technical solutions in order to increase users' comfort and to improve the general aesthetics of the product. Extensive experience in designing ergonomic seats and in the use of hard non-flammable upholstery enables us to put forward an attractive offer and modern design of our products. TAPS works on brand new seats that can be adapted to particular orders. Moreover, we also offer refurbishment of existing seats, making them more aesthetically pleasing, whilst at the same time fulfilling safety requirements.

The product we make must possess characteristics that comply with various regulations and standards for materials used in public buildings and in means of public transport. We are provided with raw materials of the highest quality and we cooperate with the best Polish and European producers of fabrics and foams.

RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR TRAIN SEAT RESISTANCE TESTING

A laboratory is attached to our company, which functions as a research and development department (tests of new proposals, the selection of materials), and which is also responsible for quality inspection (checking of incoming materials' parameters, quality control in the course of production, evaluation of the final product).

In the laboratory, separate components as well as whole constructions are tested (fire-smoke tests, static charge tests, resistance tests and ergonomic tests). Moreover, we are supported by tests carried out in other laboratories.

ANTI-VANDAL RAIL SEATING

TAPS' vandal–resistant seat was awarded:

• 2000 - awarded "Gold Wheels" at the Public Transport Fairs in Lódz
• 2001 - nomination for Polish Promotional Emblem "TERAZ POLSKA"
• 2002 - supplier accreditation from RATP in Paris
• 2003 - supplier accreditation from ALSTOM
• 2003 - certificate: "Businesslike Company 2002"

CUSTOM-FINISHED SEATS FOR URBAN AND SUBURBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

TAPS is a young, dynamic company that is open to novelties and makes use of technical developments. The company is not big, but it is well equipped. This is why implementing new technologies and changes in production present no problems. We offer modern products to our customers and we adjust the finishing details to their requirements and to the technical conditions.

Our priority is to satisfy the client: we want to achieve this by continuously improving the quality of the product and the quality of our company's organisation. That is why TAPS applied for and finally since April 2004 has been working under ISO 9001:2000.

TAPS products, a result of our 16-year-experience, attract people at various trade fairs and exhibitions. We regularly participate in such events as TRAKO International Railway Fair, Exhibition of City Transport, UITP Exhibitions and Innotrans Fair.