V&A Hydraulics completes ‘system flushing’ project for Victrex
Merseyside-based V&A Hydraulics has completed a vital system cleaning project to support a site modification at one of Britain’s biggest polymer manufacturers.
Birkenhead based V&A provided a complex flushing service for a manufacturing system at the FTSE 250 company Victrex – as part of a major upgrade of its production site at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire. The polymer solutions provider sells his high-performing products around the globe into demanding applications.
V&A Hydraulics managing director Vic Seddon said system flushing is essential to help prepare new pipework within manufacturing operations, as well support repair and maintenance of systems. Its latest work will prepare new manufacturing equipment at Victrex’s PAEK polymers which are increasing production capacity by around 70pc to fuel global demand across the transport, industrial, medical and electronics sectors.
“We deployed three of our highly trained hydraulics engineers to deliver an intensive flushing exercise for new systems at Victrex,” said Seddon. “The project essentially involved flushing out new pipework which links to a power unit. The pipework plays a role in the operation of ancillary machinery including pumps, valves and cylinders within the polymer casting line.
“It is very important to clean out debris from brand new or older pipes. The flushing process chemically cleans and treats internal systems. Failure to do can cause expensive, time consuming and disruptive breakdowns. For manufacturing operations running on a 24/7 schedule this can cause utter chaos.”
Expansion into other markets
£1million turnover V&A Hydraulics, founded in 2002, specialises in the installation service, repair, pressure-testing and flushing of hydraulic pipework – predominantly in the marine sector. However, Seddon said the firm is continuing to expand into other markets: including industrial, manufacturing and engineering, papermills, aerospace and automotive sectors across the the UK and worldwide.
“The flushing service is just one of V&A's specialisms,” he said. “However, it’s a highly important service and one which we can offer to a broad range of sectors. In total we deliver three different types of flushing exercises. Firstly for new systems, just like our latest Victrex project. Secondly, we provide flushing services to help repair pipework after system failure. Thirdly, it can be used a preventative maintenance measure, to help manufacturers guard against system failure.
“Some of V&A’s largest projects have started out as flushing contracts which have helped to initially prove our expertise and competence. V&A is amongst the most skilled hydraulics companies in Britain and few competitors can match our depth of knowledge and engineering expertise.
“We have a vastly experienced team with more than 25 years in the trade. In an industry where it is difficult to find skilled workers this depth of expertise gives us a real competitive edge and a strong reputation in the industry.
“Historic industry knowledge is crucially important in our trade because a great deal of hydraulics systems and equipment is aging and dates back decades. This is especially true on-board ships, where we typically find most vessels we work are on average around 15 to 20 years old.”
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