Acoustic Control
Industrial acoustic systems that reduce noise, risk and disruption. Modular German engineering for manufacturing, laboratory and technical environments where sound control directly impacts safety, compliance and performance.
Why workplace noise is a serious operational issue
Excessive workplace noise is not just uncomfortable. It increases fatigue, error rates, accident risk and long-term health issues. For UK manufacturers, laboratories and industrial operators, it is also a compliance and productivity issue.
Productivity Impact
Reduced productivity in tasks requiring accuracy and concentration. Higher error rates and rework. Excessive noise directly undermines precision work and quality outcomes.
Health & Safety Risk
Prolonged exposure contributes to hearing damage, increased stress levels, cardiovascular strain and reduced concentration. It also increases the likelihood of accidents when warning signals or instructions are missed.
People & Compliance
Increased sickness absence and long-term health costs. Lower staff satisfaction and retention. Greater exposure to compliance and liability risk under UK workplace regulations.
A modular acoustic system built for real industrial environments
OTTOKIND acoustic systems provide a practical, modular way to control noise at source. They create quieter, more focused working areas without the need for permanent building work or major disruption to operations.
Engineered Construction
- Smooth steel surface that reflects sound
- Perforated steel surface that breaks up sound waves
- Internal polyester fleece absorber with sound absorption class A
- Effective frequency range: 200 to 4,000 Hz, where most industrial and human-generated noise occurs
The result is measurable noise reduction without compromising durability, cleanliness or visual order.
Designed and manufactured in Germany, OTTOKIND acoustics are used across production, testing, assembly, inspection and office environments where noise control matters.
Acoustic Partition Walls
Ideal for creating quiet work zones, waiting areas or separated workstations with minimal space requirements. Modular panels provide flexible configuration without permanent structural changes.
Commonly used in production areas, laboratories, assembly zones and quality inspection spaces.Open Acoustic Booths
One-sided or partially open structures that reduce noise while maintaining accessibility and visibility. Balances sound control with operational workflow requirements.
Assembly stations, inspection points, first aid areas, supervisor zones and informal meeting spaces.Closed Acoustic Cabins
Fully enclosed rooms for high-noise environments, testing areas, office cubicles or focused work requiring maximum sound insulation. Configured with doors, windows and lighting as required.
Testing facilities, precision assembly, technical offices, training rooms and concentration zones.Telephone & Meeting Booths
Compact solutions for calls, meetings or concentration in busy production or logistics environments. Provides acoustic privacy without consuming excessive floor space.
Production offices, logistics hubs, technical support areas and customer-facing zones.Tangible benefits for people and performance
Effective sound insulation delivers measurable operational advantages. In a competitive labour market, acoustic comfort is increasingly seen as part of an employer's duty of care and a genuine differentiator.
Operational Performance
Improved concentration and work quality across precision tasks. Reduced error rates and downtime from noise-related mistakes. Enhanced communication clarity for instructions and safety alerts.Workforce Wellbeing
Lower fatigue and stress levels throughout shifts. Healthier, more satisfied employees with reduced absence. Demonstrable commitment to employee health and working conditions.Facility Standards
A more professional, organised working environment. Visual order that reinforces operational discipline. Flexible configuration that adapts to changing requirements.Designed to Support Compliance and Best Practice
UK employers are required to control noise exposure using a clear hierarchy of measures. Personal protective equipment should only be used once other options have been considered.
OTTOKIND acoustic systems support this approach by addressing noise at source and through technical controls, aligning with recognised best practice and the STOP principle.
Independent testing has demonstrated the effectiveness of OTTOKIND acoustic elements, including TÜV-tested performance data available on request.
Screens or enclosures: which is right for your situation?
The choice depends on the noise level, the noise source and the level of control required.
When acoustic screens are suitable
Free-standing screens and ceiling baffles work well where the goal is to reduce ambient noise in an open area, create separation between zones or reduce reflected noise from hard surfaces.
They suit situations where access needs to remain open, where layout flexibility is important or where full enclosure is not practical. They are generally the lower-cost option and faster to install.
- Separating noisy and quiet zones in open production areas
- Reducing background noise at inspection or assembly stations
- Creating quieter supervisor or operator zones near machinery
- Reducing reverberation in large workshops or logistics areas
When enclosures are more appropriate
Acoustic enclosures are the right choice when the noise source is intense, when a high level of reduction is required or when the aim is to contain noise from a specific machine or process rather than absorb ambient sound.
Enclosures provide significantly higher attenuation than screens and are used around compressors, pumps, test rigs, presses and other plant where open screening is not sufficient.
- Compressors, pumps and process equipment
- Machine tool noise containment
- Test cell and acoustic test environments
- High-intensity production processes near operator stations
Why basic acoustic foam is often not sufficient
Acoustic foam absorbs mid-to-high frequency sound and reduces reverberation. It does not provide the structural mass needed to block sound transmission and performs poorly at low frequencies typical of machinery, compressors and heavy plant.
In industrial environments, foam panels applied to walls or ceilings will reduce echo but will not meaningfully reduce noise levels at nearby workstations. Engineered panels with absorbent cores and mass layers are required for useful results in most manufacturing applications.
Nuisance noise and formal noise control
Not all acoustic problems require the same level of intervention. Understanding the distinction helps target the right solution.
Reducing nuisance noise
Many requests are about making a space more comfortable: reducing background noise, minimising distraction or improving speech clarity at operator stations. These do not always require formal acoustic surveys but do benefit from a systematic approach to product selection and placement.
Formal noise control compliance
Where noise levels may be approaching the action values in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (80 dB(A) first action, 85 dB(A) upper action level), a formal noise assessment and documented control plan is required. OTTOKIND acoustic products can form part of that plan. Formal compliance assessment requires specialist acoustic consultancy beyond the scope of product supply alone.
What we need to recommend the right solution
Useful information includes: the noise source (machinery, process, ambient), the approximate noise character (tonal, broadband or low-frequency), the area dimensions, whether the noise needs to be contained at source or reduced at a workstation, whether access needs to remain open and whether any formal assessment has been carried out. A plain description of the problem is a practical starting point if measurements are not available.
Ask for an acoustic solution review.
Describe the noise problem, the space and the constraints. Dave Hall will suggest which OTTOKIND acoustic products are relevant and what additional information would help before making a specific recommendation.
Request an acoustic review