Latest News

With the inauguration of the new SCALE research building on the Mechanical Engineering Campus in Garbsen near Hanover in Germany on March 4, 2025, a major milestone in production technology has been achieved. Leibniz University Hannover, in collaboration with the state of Lower Saxony and the German federal government, invested approximately €50 million in this state-of-the-art research facility. A key component of the platform is the laser robot cell for 3D laser metal deposition, supplied by Nagel Technologies GmbH.

Automated Manufacturing for Complex Large Components

Nagel Technologies is providing an innovative solution for the production of large-scale components with its laser robot cell. The system enables additive manufacturing using laser wire deposition welding and opens up new possibilities in industries such as shipbuilding and aerospace. “Our laser robot cell not only enables the high-precision manufacturing of large components but also sets new standards in production automation and digitalization,” explains Dominik Landhäußer, Technical Sales at Nagel Technologies. “One of the greatest challenges was the integration of the concrete safety enclosure, specially developed for laser protection.”

The custom-designed and cast enclosure consists of individually engineered elements and measures 8,000 x 10,000 x 5,000 mm. Inside, two robots operate on a linear axis: one equipped with a camera system for process monitoring, and the other with the laser system for deposition welding. Components are printed on a swiveling table, with a total of 14 servo axes in use. The system accommodates workpieces up to 4,000 x 1,000 x 600 mm in size.

Impact on Research and Industry

Nagel Technologies was selected as the sole supplier of the laser robot cell through a competitive Europe-wide tender process. The combination of concrete enclosure, robotics, and laser technology posed a complex technical challenge. The partnership with SCALE provides tangible advantages:

• The laser robot cell serves as a showcase installation and can be visited by potential customers.
• Scalable production systems are tested and further developed, particularly for large structural components.

“For us, the collaboration with SCALE is a strategic move,” says Frederik Diemer, Project Manager at Nagel Technologies. “Today’s research partners are tomorrow’s customers. At the same time, we’re expanding our expertise in laser technology – from laser roughening to laser coating and laser 3D printing with wire.”

Another major benefit of the partnership: industrial prototypes are manufactured directly on the laser robot cell. By depositing material onto simplified base geometries, machining times and material costs can be significantly reduced. The process also opens up entirely new design possibilities, especially for components with complex internal geometries, cavities, and cut-outs.

Research with a Future Focus

Applications for further funded projects are already underway, particularly in the field of large-scale aerospace components. The insights gained at SCALE may lay the groundwork for next-generation manufacturing processes – shaping the future of industrial production.

www.nagel.com

• FOX, led by former Dresser-Rand CEO, Vincent Volpe, makes third acquisition expanding the product offering of its compressor and high-speed rotating equipment business
• SSE will bring Systems and Controls capabilities to the existing FOX platform as well as strong Field Services Operations in key international markets served by FOX
• Fox is backed by specialist energy PE firm Bluewater
• Vincent R Volpe, CEO of Fox said: “This acquisition represents the next step in our planned development as it adds increased systems and control capabilities to Fox, while also giving us a bigger footprint in international markets.”

Interested in WJA Trade Show 2025, the primary exhibition for the UK water jetting industry, is strong with nearly half of stands already booked six months before the event.

The Water Jetting Association is holding its exhibition – again free to attend – at StoneX Stadium, North London, on Thursday 11^th September, with interest guaranteed for a wide variety of sectors, including industrial cleaning and petrochemicals.

The event promises to present ‘The World of Water Jetting in One Place’ and follows the success of the inaugural WJA Trade Show at the same venue in 2024.

WJA Chairman Lee O’Callaghan said: “We’re delighted with demand for stands at WJA Trade Show 2025. Interest is firmly in line with the positive feedback we received about the first exhibition.

“As with last year, we are planning to have a wide mix of exhibitors from across the UK water jetting industry at WJA Trade Show 2025, many of them WJA members.

“It will also have a strong international flavour, with non-UK companies also taking stands, knowing it will be a valuable opportunity to meet prospective new UK clients and partners in one location.”

WJA Trade Show 2025 is offering a third more stands than 12 months ago, including two outdoor display areas for large equipment instead of just one last year.

Returning to the Olympic Hall at the home of Premiership rugby club Saracens, the WJA plans to recreate the “buzz” enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors at last year’s event.

WJA Director Leanne Smith said: “We expect to attract substantially more visitors to WJA Trade Show 2025. We learned a lot last year, and we’re confident this year’s event will be even better, as well as bigger.

“All forms of water jetting will be represented, with contractors, manufacturers, hire and sales specialists and training providers already booked in as exhibitors.

“Equipment for all sectors that use water jetting, including drainage and water utilities, petrochemicals, oil and gas, construction, and cleaning, will also be on show.

“It’s the one day of the year that all aspects of water jetting, plus all the experts, will be in one place together, so it’s an ideal event for equipment and services sellers and buyers, alike.”

The WJA is also offering four organisations the opportunity to be WJA Trade Show 2025 sponsors, with two already taken. Sponsors will have additional marketing opportunities before, during and after the event.

Exhibitors were unanimously positive about last year’s exhibition.

David Beckington, Vice-President International Sales, NLB Corporation, said: “This is an amazing event. For the first year, the amount of people here, the way it has been organised, all of it is top notch.”

David Ma, Director of nozzle manufacturer Fluid Water Jetting, said: “I knew this was a good opportunity for our company. We could meet a lot of potential customers. For the first show, it’s fantastic.”

Gavin Beedle, Managing Director of hire, sales and service specialist AQ Rent/Doornbos Equipment UK, said: “It’s a great networking event. Everyone is here, and there’s everything high pressure and safety related.”

Steve Smith, Managing Director of Flowplant Group, and a member of the WJA Board, said: “It’s been amazing. We’ve had a really good show. The reaction from visitors has been really, really good.”

Mark Malsom, Sales Manager at nozzle manufacturer ENZ, described attending WJA Trade Show 2024 as “a very smart decision”, adding: “It’s turned out to be very worthwhile. We’ve closed some deals.”

The Water Jetting Association is the member body for the UK water jetting industry. WJA Trade Show 2025 will take place the day after the WJA’s annual general meeting, which is being held at the same venue.

Book free tickets or enquire about exhibiting: www.wjatradeshow.org.uk

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson UK is pleased to be a founding member of Electrify Industry, a new body representing businesses seeking to decarbonise the UK’s industrial base through electrification. 

Electrify Industry, powered by Make UK – the manufacturers’ organisation - is working with innovators to create a voice to ensure that the right policy is developed for electrification, which is considered by many to be the most efficient option to decarbonise the UK industrial sector and enable it to continue to grow.  Electrify Industry’s report, A programme for growth in the 21^st century, states: “UK industry needs a healthy mix of decarbonisation options to make net zero work – presently this is far from reality. A healthy energy market that embraces electrification and facilitates real decarbonisation technology choices is necessary.” 

A founding member of Electrify Industry and a leading light in developing decarbonised products and services for boiler houses, Babcock Wanson is well placed to contribute to Electrify Industry’s campaigning work.  Babcock Wanson Group has developed a comprehensive range of electric powered industrial process heating systems, including steam generators and thermal fluid heaters.  It recently announced the building of a substantial new plant in Nérac, France, which will not only enable the Group to increase overall production capacity, but also the ability to respond to the growing demands for decarbonised solutions through the development and expansion of electric and electrode boilers, oxy-combustion, and hydrogen-designed boilers. 

At the 14^th European Conference on Industrial Furnaces & Boilers this year, Cecilia Sebastiani, Product Technology & Innovation Manager at Babcock Wanson Group, outlined the obstacles and challenges for decarbonising industrial thermal engineering.  “Whilst it is comparatively easier to mitigate CO2 emissions from light industry due to lower temperature requirements” she stated, “cost and infrastructure are the main barriers to electrification.  However, heavy industry is far more challenging to decarbonise as low carbon technologies for many high temperature processes are still under development or are too expensive, plus industrial assets have long lifetimes and are infrequently replaced.”  In line with Electrify Industry, she stresses the need for policy support to promote the electrification of processes in heavy industry.

Launched in March 2025 at the Houses of Parlement, Electrify Industry has presented a set of six starting recommendations to move the country towards electrification, which include reducing electricity costs and provision for capital outlay, optimising and growing grid connectivity, grow the supply chain around electrification, invest in skills and R&D. 

For information on Electrify Industry, go to www.makeuk.org/insights/reports/electrify-industry.  For more information on Babcock Wanson, please visit www.babcock-wanson.com, or contact the company on 020 8953 7111 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In the dynamic landscape of the oil and gas industry, the downstream sector faces numerous challenges. These include navigating global economic uncertainties, mitigating supply chain costs and disruptions, adhering to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, and striving for cost-effective production.

Given this complex environment, downstream plant operators are actively seeking suppliers that can partner with them to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. This article explores how Trillium Flow Technologies provides service solutions that help operators improve their refining and processing operations in response to today’s challenges.

For the past 12 years, engineers from Trillium’s Termomeccanica Pompe legacy brand have been stationed at a customer’s petrochemical plant, with a full workshop that provides ongoing support for a comprehensive range of rotating equipment. This includes centrifugal, gear, and screw pumps, screw and reciprocating compressors, agitators, blowers, electric motors, and valves. Over the years, this on-site presence has led to a wide range of requests and services for Trillium’s engineers, ranging from spare parts to maintenance, as well as engineered solutions such as upgrades, re-rates, and retrofits.

Operational Symbiosis

Trillium’s partnership with a European-based chemical plant has yielded numerous benefits. The plant specializes in producing polymers and lubricating oils for high-tech applications. It covers approximately 4 km² and employs over 1,500 people. Around 800 m² of the site is dedicated to a permanent workshop that houses more than 20 Trillium Flow Technology employees. This workshop is fully equipped with tooling and machinery and can expand to accommodate up to 70 Trillium engineers during the annual shutdown, tripling its productivity.

The contract for housing dedicated engineers on-site began in 2013 and was recently extended to 2027. Initially brought in to perform essential maintenance on the equipment Trillium had installed, the team has since expanded their role to utilize their skills across the entire plant.

Throughout their 12-year tenure, Trillium engineers have provided comprehensive support to the customer, repairing and maintaining a wide range of equipment, including centrifugal and gear pumps, screw and reciprocating compressors, agitators, blowers, electric motors, and valves (including the revision and calibration of pressure safety valves).

The service offering has gradually expanded to include the provision of spare parts, reverse engineering of discontinued components, retrofitting units for changes in service and efficiency improvements, and even conducting complete unit redesigns based on a 3D anthropomorphic arm measurement.

Notably, Trillium engineers have redesigned a series of vacuum pumps, which they now service and supply with spare parts, significantly extending their operational lifespan for the customer.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by the oil and gas industry underscore the vital importance of collaborative partnerships between plant operators and their suppliers. These partnerships are essential for the continued success of all involved. By working closely with expert suppliers like Trillium Flow Technologies, operators can leverage specialized knowledge and resources to optimize operational efficiency, ensure safety and reliability, and achieve long-term sustainability objectives in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

www.trilliumflow.com

ERIKS Industrial Services will be exhibiting on Stand R03 at the National Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition at RDS Simmonscourt on 28^th and 29^th May 2025. ERIKS, which has facilities in Belfast, Dublin and Cork, will be showcasing how its mix of products, technical support and service solutions streamline, optimize, and enhance Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) supply chains, minimizing downtime and boosting productivity for manufacturers of all types.

Supply chain robustness has been at the forefront of manufacturers’ concerns for some time now. ERIKS has key partnerships with industry’s biggest and most innovative names and is therefore able to accurately advise on product availability, as well as alternate sourcing, to maintain production. Some of these suppliers will have their products on the ERIKS stand. SKF will demonstrate its food safe bearings units that are completely sealed, lubricated for life and designed for increased bearing performance while motor manufacturer WEG will showcase an IE4 motor – an energy efficient product that helps manufacturers in the quest for sustainability as they target net zero status. Fenner is also represented on the stand and power transmission efficiency is its core concern with its range of geared drives, pulleys, belts, chains, sprockets and taper locks. Finally, the Expel compressed air filter, available exclusively through ERIKS, will be on show giving visitors a view of the ‘fit and forget’ technology that can drastically improve production reliability.

Reliability is a key theme on the ERIKS stand and the company has recently extended its innovative Reliability Service offer. The service caters for those just beginning their reliability journey right through to sites with an installed base of IIOT enabled equipment.  Those more sophisticated users can be linked to ERIKS’ Smart Asset Management platform which gives advance notification of when a reliability issue is about to occur.

Another area of focus on the ERIKS stand will be its OnSite service – which is now being used by more than 100 of the largest manufacturers across the UK and Ireland. The OnSite service is the outsourcing of a manufacturer’s MRO stores operation and supply chain to ERIKS who, as the name implies, operate a team on the site. This outsourcing leads to huge advantages when it comes to the technical and supply chain knowledge of the MRO stores team as well as other aspects such as health and safety, accurate inventory levels and the management of parts obsolescence.

Commenting on its attendance at The National Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition Leon Kelly at ERIKS said, “An event that combines both manufacturing efficiency and supply chain topics is perfect for ERIKS as it touches upon so many of our key strengths. From our OnSite service and our reliability offering to our product range, delivery flexibility and supply chain insight. We really are a dependable partner for Irish manufacturers.”

As a special incentive to visit the stand, ERIKS will have a range of offers for both first time and existing customers. Make sure you speak with an ERIKS team member on the stand to access your preferential partnership offer.

For more information, please visit - https://ow.ly/t3Ku50VCvzw

On March 20, 2025, the 28th meeting of the Phased Array Subcommittee of DGZfP (German Society for Non-Destructive Testing) took place at Baker Hughes Digital Solutions GmbH in Hürth. Chaired by Andreas Mück, Head of Business Unit at SONOTEC GmbH and Chair of the Subcommittee, the event offered a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas and discussing current developments, challenges, and future directions in phased array technology.

New Members and a Fond Farewell

The meeting began with a warm welcome to the subcommittee’s new members: Ms. Lachtchouk and Mr. Kolkoori were officially introduced to the group. At the same time, members paid tribute to Roman Koch, a long-standing contributor whose dedication and expertise have left a lasting impact.

Focus on Practical Applications

Key discussions centered on real-world questions: When and how should phased array systems be used most effectively? What training paths are appropriate, and which qualification methods prove successful in practice? Extensive comparative studies have already been conducted at the DGZfP Training Center in Dortmund, with further case studies now being collected and evaluated.

Comparing Testing Methods

Another focal point was the comparison of phased array, TOFD, and radiographic testing. While there is no universally applicable answer to which method is “best,” practical training pieces provide valuable insights into each method’s limitations and advantages.

Phased Array Handbook Remains Up to Date

The Phased Array Handbook has now been available for five years and remains a relevant reference guide. A new edition is not currently planned; however, minor corrections identified over time are being compiled in an addendum sheet.

RoHS and the Future of Piezoelectric Materials

A key topic of discussion was the planned revision of the RoHS exemption concerning the use of lead in piezoceramics. The current draft limits the exemption to PZT materials, which could severely restrict applications such as high-temperature measurements. The subcommittee encourages all stakeholders to participate actively in the consultation process – whether through formal comments or by engaging in discussions with customers and suppliers – to help ensure that final decisions consider the full scope of technical implications.

Standards and International Committees

The leadership position for international committees on ultrasonic testing of welds is currently vacant. As a driver of innovation, Germany is well positioned to retain this key role. Experts interested in contributing are encouraged to come forward.

Looking Ahead

The next meeting of the DGZfP Phased Array Subcommittee will take place on September 25, 2025, at Müller & Medenbach in Gladbeck – directly following the seminar of the Leak Detection Technical Committee.

Special thanks go to the hosts and organizers, Mr. Büchler, Mr. Falter, and Mr. Bruch, for a well-coordinated event and inspiring discussions.

www.sonotec.de

As industry increasingly adopts automation and predictive maintenance, the demand for more sophisticated and integrated solutions has never been greater.  In fact, according to Allied Market Research, the global predictive maintenance market was valued at $10.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $162.1 billion by 2033. The CMMS market is undergoing consolidation, with software providers merging to gain market share, improve their offering through combined expertise and resources and  strengthen their portfolio whilst maintaining specialised offerings. These mergers benefit not only the businesses involved but also the software itself and, most importantly, the customers who rely on it.

Having spent years working with CMMS solutions in manufacturing and asset-intensive industries, I’ve witnessed how technology is transforming the way companies approach maintenance. When two CMMS providers merge strategically, leveraging each other’s strengths rather than merely acquiring intellectual property, customers reap significant benefits.

Strengthening the CMMS Value Proposition

Mergers drive innovation by combining expertise, accelerating development, and improving integration with technologies like IoT, AI, and predictive maintenance. Businesses gain smarter tools that anticipate failures and optimise scheduling, enhancing efficiency.

The most successful strategic mergers happen when the management of both the acquiring and acquired companies understand how their offerings and expertise complement one another. For example, if a company specialising in manufacturing maintenance acquires a provider with expertise in facilities management, these complementary solutions can expand the overall value proposition.  In such scenarios it is often the case that 80%-90% of the core functionality is the same but the 10%-20% of features that do not overlap form the unique selling proposition for each solution.

Strategic M&A focuses on value enhancement by creating solution interoperability while maintaining solution specialisation, offering genuine feature and service improvements, strengthening the company and benefiting customers.

Bringing the Best Minds Together

Mergers also unite industry experienced experts, and provided that the cultures align, fostering a dynamic environment for innovation and collaboration. The merger of experts is equally important as the merger of solutions as it can accelerate the implementation of new ideas, driving the next generation of solutions that address long-standing industry challenges.

By bringing together the successful talent, companies can foster a culture of innovation and growth to the benefit of customers and shareholders.

Direct Benefits to Customers

The immediate advantage for customers comes with business stability and confidence in the solutions they have invested in.  Furthermore, combined teams provide an enhancement of services, improved support, and acceleration of product development within the merged business.

Customers may also benefit from a steady stream of updates and new features. When resources are pooled, software enhancements become more frequent and impactful. Maintenance teams gain access to new tools, from mobile-friendly interfaces to automated work order scheduling. Integration with other business systems, such as hosting and ERP solutions, delivers economies of scale, deploying further focus on technology and services.

Pricing structures may also become more flexible. Larger companies often introduce scalable subscription models, allowing businesses to tailor their CMMS usage to their needs. Bundled solutions provide access to advanced features that may have previously been cost-prohibitive.

The Bigger Picture: What Customers Can Achieve with Advanced CMMS Solutions

For industries like manufacturing and asset-intensive sectors, advanced CMMS solutions deliver operational efficiency and cost savings. Predictive maintenance capabilities mean fewer unplanned shutdowns, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of critical equipment. Optimised maintenance schedules help production lines run smoothly, improving overall asset performance.

A well-integrated CMMS streamlines workflows, automating work orders, tracking asset history, and coordinating team activities. This allows maintenance teams to focus on critical tasks rather than administrative burdens.

Data-driven decision-making is a game-changer. An advanced CMMS integrated with BI tools provides real-time insights, helping businesses refine their maintenance strategies. From identifying recurring equipment issues to forecasting future maintenance needs, data-rich CMMS solutions help organisations stay ahead of potential problems rather than constantly reacting to breakdowns.

Why Now? The CMMS Industry Is at an inflection point

CMMS solutions are no longer just digital filing cabinets for work orders and asset records; they’ve evolved into mission critical tools for strategic maintenance planning. As industries move towards fully connected, automated ecosystems with IoT sensors, predictive maintenance tools, and BI-enabled platforms, businesses that fail to embrace innovation risk falling behind.

Mergers and acquisitions in the CMMS sector is accelerating this digital transformation. By combining resources and expertise strategically, companies can push the boundaries of what CMMS solutions can achieve, offering customers a cutting-edge technology as well as more stable, well-supported, and future-proofed solutions that evolve with their business requirements.

For companies relying on CMMS to manage critical equipment and operations, these changes signal an exciting future. Next-generation CMMS solutions will minimise downtime, boost productivity, provide a safer and compliant operations as well as empower maintenance teams with the insights and tools needed to perform at their best.

About the Author

This article, written by PEMAC Director of Sales, Donal Bourke was published in Digital Construction Week Magazine on April 8th, 2025.

Donal has over 20 years’ experience working with Manufacturing Software Systems, Consulting, and Professional Services, helping clients realise business value from their investments.

PEMAC merged with Elecosoft in January 2025. Click here to read more.

Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 4-5 June as part of Smart Manufacturing Week, Maintec 2025 continues to be the definitive event for professionals focused on reliability, asset management, and predictive maintenance.

As IIOT, machine learning and to some extent AI are playing an increasing role in maintenance eco-systems, this year’s show promises to be especially forward-looking, with a strong focus on innovative developments in AI, machine learning, and the emerging vision of Industry 5.0; the next stage in industrial evolution.

Among the exhibitors driving innovation is Sparrow Networks, returning for its third year to talk about its cloud-based service for spares pooling, the optimising of inventory and data cleaning for industrial spare parts using big data and AI.  

Similarly, Chris Hansford of Hansford Sensors says, “Whether we term it Industry 5.0 or not, the direction of travel is to use more sensors, be that vibration, flow, temperature pressure or whatever and to automatically gather the data and use that to make decisions. It’s something that has been very high profile in Germany and we are starting to see more of that here.”

This all falls under the banner of Smart Maintenance, one of Maintec’s three central themes. But there’s also plenty to discover within the equally vital areas of Maintenance Products and Maintenance Services. Certas Lubricants, for instance, is bringing a fresh approach to distribution, using an advanced network to hold large volumes of stock and deliver oils and lubricants with zero risk of contamination.

On the services side, Service Geeni will be showcasing its all-in-one field service platform that helps companies manage customers, engineers, and equipment more efficiently. Meanwhile, IFS Ultimo offers insight into their Enterprise Asset Management maturity model, designed to help organisations assess and improve their maintenance practices and chart a clear path to operational excellence.

Fluke will be on hand exhibiting a wide range of portable test instruments, including the ii900Sonic Industrial Imager, which enables maintenance teams to quickly and accurately locate air, steam, gas and vacuum leaks in compressed air systems.

And for manufacturers looking to streamline their stores and focus on production, Rubix will be showcasing its industrial spare parts distribution offering as well as its InSite stores management service - where the company takes over the management of the MRO stores allowing manufacturers to focus on what they do best – manufacturing products.

For visitors to Maintec, the Maintenance Solutions Theatre will be a key hub for information and education, with sessions including a headline keynote from BMW’s

Nick Evans, Applying New Maintenance Methods and Technologies to Existing Production Systems which will explore integrating advanced maintenance technologies, and a headline panel Transforming Maintenance Strategies: From Reactive to Proactive in Smart Manufacturing featuring AETC’s Ruth Rollings exploring the shift from reactive to proactive strategies in smart manufacturing.

Whatever your sector, your goals, or your starting point, Maintec offers the tools, insights, and connections to help you move forward, from exploring the latest maintenance technologies and applications to new suppliers of the most traditional but necessary products. As ever it’s the essential gathering place for anyone and everyone looking to be part of the conversation about smarter, more efficient maintenance.

For more information visit: https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com/