Ace golfers raise over £4000 for Cancer Research
UK distributors, suppliers and sales teams had a real ‘blast’ at a recent charity golf day hosted by Gardner Denver UK at the Warwickshire golf and country club on 1 October.
The figures that make a mockery of manufacturing’s ‘decline'
Despite repeated reports of its demise, manufacturing is responsible for more than half the West Midlands economy and nearly a third of the UK output, according to research for Birmingham City University.
NFPC welcomes fluid power guests from Finland
Earlier this month the National Fluid power Centre (NFPC) – part of the commercial arm of North Nottinghamshire College – welcomed some 13 visitors from various vocational colleges and training centres in Finland. The group also included a representative from the Finnish Hydraulics and Pneumatics Association and the FLUID Finland Magazine.
Motorsport Industry Association calls for greater dialogue in manufacturing
British industry should engage with the UK’s world-beating motorsport supply chain to help build a robust and sustainable platform for growth. This is the view of Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), who is calling for greater dialogue between the UK’s diverse manufacturing sectors in the wake of a report issued recently by the CBI.
Bosch Rexroth partners with OMC
Bosch Rexroth has entered into a strategic partnership with OMC Technologies, the designer of aluminum fabricated products and furniture in Ireland, to continue its work in providing innovative ergonomic solutions to customers.
Parker opens new Midlands trade counter in Nottinghamshire
Motion and control technologies solutions provider, Parker Hannifin, has opened a new Midlands trade counter to meet the demands of Nottinghamshire’s manufacturing, engineering and construction markets.
Holroyd secures cool £2.75 million order in China
Precision Technologies Group company, Holroyd Precision Ltd., has received orders for two of its ‘next generation’ Zenith 400 helical profile grinding machines from one of China’s leading specialists in ice systems and industrial cooling technologies. Scheduled for delivery to China’s Fujian Province later this year, the machines are together valued at £2.75 million. They will be used to precision grind some 100 compressor rotors, each measuring up to 250mm in diameter, per day. “We are delighted to have received such significant machine orders from such a well-respected refrigeration specialist,” said Holroyd Precision’s sales manager, Steven Benn. “Whilst the customer in question is well aware of the immense benefits that the Holroyd Zenith 400 models will bring to their manufacturing capabilities, the simple fact that both machines are required in such a short time frame speaks volumes for the considerable confidence they have in our ability to not only build industry-leading machine tools, but also meet the tightest of deadlines.” Developed to precision grind components weighing up to 700kg and measuring up to 420mm in diameter and 2.2 metres in length, the Zenith 400 helical profile grinder combines high stock removal rates and aggressive semi-finishing, with production rates and accuracies tailored to particularly demanding manufacturing strategies.HydraForce becomes first tenant of Advanced Manufacturing Hub
International hydraulic manufacturing company, HydraForce, which employs 280 at its European headquarters at Aston, Birmingham, is to build a brand new factory at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub. Job numbers at the company, which last year turned over around £49 million, will almost double by 2018. Following confirmation of a £1.8 million grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund in June, the company has completed the deal with landowners, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and start to build the 120,000 sq ft factory this month (September), with a view to moving the entire business and staff to its new world-class facility in August 2015. HydraForce’s new building will expand its manufacturing facility by 70,000 sq ft and allow the company to bring the manufacturing of more of its products over to the UK from its parent company in the US. The move also sees HydraForce become the inaugural tenant of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub, one of six economic zones in the city. The zones – advanced manufacturing; business & professional services; creative & digital media; life sciences; food & drink; IT, electronics & communications (ITEC) – will provide growth environments for key sectors. It is hoped that these economic zones will unlock £1.5 billion of investment in the city and generate nearly 50,000 jobs. Ideal site HydraForce managing director, Peter Macdonald, commented: “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub is the ideal site for us. It is logistically well-placed and very close to our existing premises at St Stephen’s Street, Aston so it will be easier for our staff to move with us.” Over 30 per cent of HydraForce’s products are sold into the growing agricultural equipment sector and 80 per cent of its output is exported. “The market for our products has grown and broadened,” said Macdonald. “To achieve our ambitious growth plans to double turnover by 2018, we need the new space to install new machinery, research and laboratory facilities, and support.” Facilitated by the city council and supported by Business Birmingham, HydraForce’s decision to base its growing operation in the area will create local jobs and boost the area’s manufacturing supply chain.Gates appoints distributor for UK trade sales
Gates, manufacturer hoses and belts, has recently appointed the Hayley Group plc. as the authorised Gates national trade distributor for sales of the full Gates Industrial Gates ranges in the UK. The Hayley Group, supplier of engineering essentials, has been one of Gates’ strong partners for belts and then hoses and couplings for the past decade. Hayley distributes the full Gates programme in fluid power and power transmission from its base in Halesowen in the Midlands.Boge hosts successful distributor conference
Boge Compressors recently brought together compressed air distributors from across the UK at this year’s Boge distributor conference to provide training to its front line sales force. A wide variety of Boge distributors were in attendance at the conference, which provided attendees with an opportunity to gain up to date information on the latest product offerings, the ability to familiarise themselves with technical aspects of the equipment and also the chance to network with other Boge distributors. An important part of the conference was the in-depth training on new Boge products, including recently launched oxygen and nitrogen generators. The latest range of oxygen generators, which includes 0 3 P to 0 15 P and 0 3 PE to 0 15 PE generators, provides users with a complete system for generating oxygen in-house and is a safe and reliable solution that features proven adsorption technology. The modular in-house nitrogen generators, which deliver purity grades of up to 5.0 (99.999 per cent) and use proven pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, enable users to generate high purity nitrogen on-site. This is significantly cheaper than having nitrogen delivered by a gas supplier, with in-house nitrogen generators typically paying for themselves within less than three years. The conference featured a hands-on training session that concentrated on the role of energy efficiency and savings in compressed air generation, where attendees could use and experience Boge products in action. The conference was also an opportunity to train distributors in the best practice use of the Boge service cost calculator, which is a quick and easy quote calculator for customers considering investing in a compressor and associated services. This is one of a number of tools that Boge has been developing to support distributors and enhance customer service for end users. “We are absolutely delighted with the feedback we received from the distributors that attended this year’s successful conference,” said Mark Whitmore, general manager at Boge Compressors UK. “As a leader in the compressed air market, Boge aims to support its distributors by providing regular training, and by strengthening the tools and support that enable them to improve the company’s reach. The conference has also proven to be a valuable networking platform, which further builds the professional relationships between members of our nationwide distribution team.” The Boge distributor conference is an annual event held at the Boge Compressors UK headquarters in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.MP Filtri UK celebrates 25 years of customer service
MP Filtri UK celebrates 25 years in business this year. Parent company MP Filtri was founded in Italy 50 years ago and supplies a wide range of contamination control products to the fluid power industry. MP Filtri UK acts as the fluid condition monitoring wing for the MP Filtri group, both designing and manufacturing high quality instrumentation for portable, in-line and laboratory applications. MP Filtri UK reports that it has always been very proud of its high standard of customer service, and that its highly motivated, technically trained team, headed up by customer services supervisor Helen Harrison, is on hand to assist customers with their specific requirements. For more information phone 01451 822522 or email sales@mpfiltri.co.uk. Photo caption: The MP Filtri UK customer services team, from left to right: Amber Wareing, Olivia Edgecox, Tim Rodway, Helen Harrison, Luke Harding, Kerry Rodway, Tom Webb.
Gardner Denver wins manufacturing innovation award
Compressor manufacturer Gardner Denver is flying high after winning the manufacturing innovation award in in the Made in the Midlands Awards 2014 for its Hydrovane TO2 transit compressor. The awards, which celebrate the success of the manufacturing industry in the Midlands, were presented in front of more than 200 of the region’s top manufacturers, with Gardner Denver’s Redditch business praised for its ‘major step forward’ in compressor design. The new compressor was designed and tested at Gardner Denver’s Redditch Centre of Excellence facility. The company is one of the UK’s few remaining manufacturers of air compressors and a major local employer with more than 300 employees and a commitment to supporting smaller component manufacturers in the local supply chain. The TO2 is a transit compressor that provides power for on-board vehicle pneumatic systems. In developing the new product, Gardner Denver’s Redditch-based design team started from the premise that most onboard compressors are too noisy, too heavy and have complex ventilation and cooling demands. This means more cost – both the cost of fuel and the cost of maintenance, so the team set about developing a brand new, packaged design that could be integrated easily and reduce cost of ownership. ‘Something entirely different’ The result is a very lightweight unit, with an integrated dryer and AC electric motor with inverter technology, saving 50 per cent of the weight of a conventional DC unit; a feature that was commended by the judges who said: “The lightweight, quiet compressors developed by the Redditch business are set to have a major impact across a range of markets, both in Britain and worldwide. Gardner Denver’s innovation was something entirely different that we can see having so many applications. For such a simple component it’s a major step forward.” Steve Downes, sales director for Gardner Denver explained how the product was brought to market: “The T02 is bespoke and designed for each customer application. Hydrovane has created a product that can be tailored easily for many different vehicle types and engine technologies. Importantly, it is future-proofed as engine technologies continue to move towards more eco-friendly, greener options. “The design team worked closely with Wrightbus International in developing the product for the New London Bus, a green, diesel-electric hybrid concept. Trials proved so successful that we won the order for 600 standalone units – one for each of the new buses that are currently being rolled out in the Capital. “Hydrovane has also tailored the compressor package to meet the demands of all-electric buses and where required, can match the unit to a more traditional diesel installation. The Hydrovane T02 is not confined to applications in the UK. Successful vehicle installations operate in Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, with other European and Worldwide opportunities.” Photo caption: Steve Downes: “[The T02] is future-proofed as engine technologies continue to move towards more eco-friendly, greener options.”Antech appointed authorised distributor for UFI hydraulic filters
Antech has been appointed an authorised distributor for UFI hydraulic filters. With high-quality products at competitive prices UFI offers effective filtration solutions to maximise the useful life of oil. By protecting machinery and components with UFI filters, users can experience better productivity and fewer breakdowns. UFI has a wide range of filtration for all hydraulic requirements; including pressure filters, return filters, off line filters, suction filters and air filters. The company comments that its technical team can cross-reference or calculate the exact UFI filter requirements using the I-Caf design software. This enables Antech to properly size filters for each specific requirement. Antech remarks that its ‘System Care’ off-line filters are so named because they take care of efficiency and guarantee a long life of the system by keeping oil at the desired cleanliness. The company offers mobile trolleys fitted with UFI off line ‘System Care’ filters. These, claims Antech, are versatile and reliable and their portable and compact design makes it easy to operate in difficult to access areas. UFI Filters are available from stock at Antech, whether an upgrade or replacement is required. Antech comments that with stock levels increasing to meet demands and provide a quality service, the company is satisfied it can support all its customers' requirements. www.antech-hyd.co.uk
BFPA Yearbook 2014/15 now available
The 2014/15 edition of the British Fluid Power Association’s (BFPA) Yearbook and Members’ Directory is now available. This 144-page publication, published in association with DFA Media Ltd., is packed with updated information about BFPA and British Fluid Power Distributors’ Association (BFPDA) member companies, and the products and services they are able to offer to OEMs and end users. Many member companies are also featured in full-page Company Profile format. The publication also features a series of exclusive editorial articles focused on providing up-to-date insights into the latest trends and talking points within the world of fluid power and related equipment. Special editorials in this edition of the BFPA Yearbook include an interview with Dr Scott Steedman, Director of Standards at BSI, who explains the rationale behind standards and how they can help companies in terms of technical innovation and market growth. In a profile on BHR Group, Matthew Kercher, the Group’s Sales Manager, talks about the company’s range of world-class product development services, together with its strong focus on supporting the next generation of engineers in order to safeguard the future technological and economic strength of UK plc. The BFPA Yearbook also spoke with Professor Chris Melhuish, Director of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory; Mike Wilson, Sales & Marketing Manager – General Industry UK & Ireland at ABB Robotics; and Martin Walder, UK Manager – Industries at Rockwell Automation, about current and possible future developments in the world of robotics and automation, and the current and potential roles fluid power equipment and systems has to play within this important technology space. Additionally, The Yearbook spoke with Richard Smith, Engagement Director, Talent Retention Solution, about how the initiative can give experienced professionals, graduates and apprentices direct access to job opportunities in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector across the UK, as well as provide companies of all sizes with a valuable pool of industry expertise. Contributions from within the BFPA/BFPDA itself come in the form of articles especially written by Chris Buxton, CEO, the BFPA. The first of these looks at the politicisation of the UK education system and its impact on the manufacturing sector. In his second contribution, Buxton emphasises the importance and benefits of lobbying Government. On the training front, Martin Kingsbury, Membership Director, the BFPA, outlines the Association’s range of hydraulic hose courses, and explains how they can improve your staff’s ability to install and maintain hose efficiently in order to keep plant and machinery productive, reliable and safe. In an editorial looking at Standards, Yvonne Pearman, the BFPA/BFPDA’s Standards Project Manager, explains how the Association can help to promote and represent the activity and interests of its membership, in particular their involvement in standards development. Also featured is an article by the BFPA’s Statistics & Marketing Manager, Sarah Gardner, looking at the importance of statistics in your business and how the BFPA can help with providing valuable statistical information for its members. To obtain your copy of the BFPA’s Yearbook and Members’ Directory 2014/15, please contact Lorraine Hessey, Administrator Executive at the BFPA, on: 01608 647900, or send your request to enquiries@bfpa.co.uk. Please note that stocks are limited, so an early request is recommended.The BFPA launches new Training Academy website
The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA, incorporating the British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA), has launched a brand new website dedicated to its portfolio of training courses. The website (www.bfpatrainingacademy.co.uk), which complements the Association’s existing site (www.bfpa.co.uk), outlines a series of training courses that are available throughout the year. The courses can either be provided direct from the BFPA or through one of the Association’s associated training partners. Courses currently on offer include the following:- Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors The Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors is a one-day course designed to show the correct practices needed to work safely with and around hydraulics. The course is available either as an induction course for someone new to the industry, or a safety course for people who are not primarily hydraulic or fluid power technicians but work from time to time on machinery containing hydraulic components. The training day contains video presentation examples of safe working practices involving associated dangers of fluid injection injuries, together with examples of hose being manufactured from the raw components. A high-quality personalised course book and certification of attendance and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Hose Assembly Skills Course The Hose Assembly Skills Course is carried out in both a classroom environment for the theoretical element and shop floor environment for practical element. This two-day training programme is designed to bring the attendee up to a sound level of appreciation to enable them to development into a quality hydraulic hose technician. The Hose Assembly Skills Training Course also includes an assessment of the candidates’ skills and understanding. As with the Foundation Course, a high-quality personalised course book and certification of skills achievement and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Hose Integrity, Inspection & Management Course The Hose Integrity, Inspection & Management Course, launched earlier this year, has been written and developed using the technical expertise available to the BFPA and the BFPDA and sets out to establish a benchmark for training people responsible for hose inspection and management from a wide variety of industry sectors. It also set out to establish a recognised standard in hose management best practice. With the introduction of the one-day Hose Integrity, Inspection and Management course, the BFPA has further enhanced its training package to include all core issues surrounding the efficient inspection, analysis, identification, registering and recording of hydraulic hose. During training individuals will assessed with a view to being able to achieve a BFPA industry-recognised certificate; gaining either a pass, pass with merit or pass with distinction. As with the Foundation and Skills courses outlined above, a high-quality personalised course book and certification of hose management achievement and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course More information on this new course is scheduled to be available in the autumn of 2014. Raising standards Martin Kingsbury, Membership Director of the BFPA, said of the new website: “The BFPA has for many years been passionate about raising standards within the fluid power market and industry as a whole. With this objective in mind we have created a suite of valuable training courses that have been developed by utilising the knowledge of industry experts. Theresore, no matter what industry you are associated with – be it Construction, Marine, Agriculture, Offshore, Renewable energy, Rail, Mining or many others – these training courses from the BFPA Training Academy will be relevant for you or your employees. Kingsbury continued: “By establishing these training programmes, the BFPA aims to raise the awareness of people who work with hydraulic and pneumatic hoses at all levels: from the system designer and field engineer, to the machine operator and the person who actually makes hose assemblies.” For more information on BFPA courses, please visit: www.bfpatrainingacademy.co.uk. For other information related to the BFPA, please visit: www.bfpa.co.uk. Here you can find a wide range of information, including updates on Education, Publications, the BFPDA Accredited Hose Scheme, Forthcoming Events, and Latest News. For more information, please contact Lorraine Hessey, Administrator Executive, at the BFPA on: 01608 647900, or send your request or query to enquiries@bfpa.co.uk. About the BFPA The British Fluid Power Association, BFPA, represents Hydraulic and Pneumatic businesses commercially and technically throughout the UK. With some 250 Distributors and Manufacturers in membership the BFPA is a true full service Trade Association. In whatever section of the Fluid Power industry your interest lies be it technical i.e. Electrohydraulics, Pneumatic Controls, Motion Control, Linear Motion, Accumulators, Pumps and Motors, valves, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Cylinders, Seals, Hose and Fittings, Safety and Training, or commercial such as Overseas Exhibitions, Statistics, Political lobbying, European Directives and Guidelines. The BFPA has something to offer. For further information visit: www.bfpa.co.uk.
Events
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Farnborough International Airshow
22 - 26 July, 2024
Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
