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NSK Europe is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthieu Lavieuville as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Mr Lavieuville, who has spent the last two years as the Managing Director of NSK Europe’s Automotive Business Unit, will oversee the merger of the company’s automotive and industrial divisions into one integrated organisation. He will then lead all NSK’s operational activities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa including sales, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics.

He brings over 20 years of experience in the bearings industry to the role, along with a proven track record of commercial success. He has worked for leading organisations in the sector, including Timken and JTEKT, like NSK also a Japanese company. Immediately prior to joining NSK he was Managing Director of Maltep, a French manufacturer of earthing and lightning protection equipment. Over the course of seven years with the company Mr Lavieuville doubled its sales, part of a journey which he says put him in an ideal position to take over of NSK Europe’s Automotive business in January of 2023. The appointment of a COO comes at a pivotal moment for NSK Europe, with manufacturing companies across the continent facing a shifting market landscape.

Mr Lavieuville is adamant that NSK has started to make the right moves in order to thrive in this ever-changing landscape, but he is keen to accelerate the process, noting that speed is key to success in the modern world. Mr Lavieuville’s first priority will be to enhance organisational clarity across the business. He acknowledges the merger of the automotive and industrial divisions will be a significant challenge which will require breaking silos, changing processes and even evolving the company culture. However, he believes the move will ultimately unlock the full potential of NSK and will transform the way the company serves its customers. The new COO also plans to focus on expanding NSK’s geographic and sector coverage through enhanced channel management and new distributor appointments.

‘We are delighted to welcome Matthieu in his new role as Chief Operating Officer,’ said Dr Ulrich Nass, CEO of NSK Europe. ‘He combines deep industry expertise with strong leadership and a hands-on approach. His ability to unify diverse teams and drive NSK Press Releases NSK Europe Announces Operational Realignment strategic clarity will be instrumental as we build a more agile and integrated organisation.’ Mr Lavieuville himself added, ‘I’m truly honoured to take on this role. NSK has a long standing reputation for quality and professionalism.

I look forward to helping shape the next chapter of our growth story. ‘We have a great team in place at NSK Europe and one of the things I’m most looking forward to is visiting our factories, sales offices and engineering departments to speak with colleagues directly. You get a clearer picture of the business when you listen without the management filter.’ Outside of work, Mr Lavieuville is a proud father of four and currently learning Japanese. He has also recently joined an association of French business angels, supporting startups in the tech, medical and environmental sectors. ‘Meeting young entrepreneurs keeps me energised,’ he concludes, ‘and it means I’m presented with fresh ideas which might benefit NSK.’

www.nsk.com

Thirty metres down in the ocean, pumps made by Borger are playing a vital role in pumping water out of suction buckets that (paired with jacket substructures) anchor wind turbines to the seabed.

This new method of installation, which creates only minimal noise compared to traditional piling, and far less disturbance to coastal communities, sea mammals and fish, is common in the oil and gas industries.

During installation, rather than using piledrivers, the Borger units pump water out of the giant steel upside-down buckets (open on one side that faces downwards), creating a pressure difference vacuum. Helped on their way by the weight of the structures, this anchors them into the seabed before they are then hermetically sealed.

Borger’s pumps, with their high performance and significantly smaller footprint, are already widely utilised in the marine and offshore sectors.

Borger UK

 01902 798 977

 www.boerger.com

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EEMUA has published Edition 6 of its highly respected guidance EEMUA Publication 159, ‘Above ground flat bottomed storage tanks – a guide to inspection, maintenance and repair’.

EEMUA 159 is considered to be the most comprehensive users' guide available on above ground vertical cylindrical, steel storage tanks. It is also used worldwide by regulators as an example of what good practice looks like.

EEMUA 159 is intended to assist in the establishment of essential inspection and maintenance requirements in order to minimise in-service problems and extend the useful life of these storage tanks. It offers guidance on tanks built to BS, EN or API standards for the storage of petroleum and chemical feedstocks and products and refrigerated gases. These standards include BS 2654, API 620 and API 650, DIN 4119-1 and -2, CODRES, G0801 and EN 14015. In addition, since EEMUA 159 contains information on many topics that are not covered in API 653, the EEMUA publication can be considered complementary to the API standard.

The publication sets out key features for planning and executing inspection, maintenance and repair works. It includes descriptions of the key tank components that require inspection and maintenance, degradation mechanisms and common inspection techniques, and details on tank lifting. Appendices offer guidance on how to perform assessment calculations on tank components, illustrated by means of sample calculations, as well as on repair methods.

The newly released Edition 6 includes three integrity assessment levels of increasing complexity. The use of integrity assessment levels helps to understand that different kind of rejection limits can exist for the same component. There are revised chapters on tanks and their components, degradation mechanisms and failure modes, general inspection techniques and interpretation of inspection data, tank foundations and hydrotesting. Revised flowcharts for assessing the fit-for-purpose of the tank bottom, shell and roof are now available.

The new edition also contains guidelines on change of service and guidance on new inspection methods and technologies including robotics and drones. It provides increased guidance on settlement assessment and a new chapter on stainless and duplex steel tanks. The guidelines for hydrotest exemption for major repairs and the remaining life calculations for bottom pitting have also been updated.

Availability: EEMUA 159 Edition 6 is available directly from EEMUA: https://www.eemua.org/products/publications/digital/eemua-publication-159

🌟 Discover the Future of Maintenance Management! 🌟

Verdantix’s latest Global Corporate Survey shows companies worldwide are rapidly adopting #CMMS (Computerised #Maintenance #Management Systems) to drive cost reduction and enhance long-term asset performance. 🚀

Join Donal Bourke (PEMAC | An Elecosoft Company) & Josh Graessele (Verdantix) on Wednesday, April 16th for an exclusive webinar:
🎥 From Insight to Action - What the Latest Research Says About #Maintenance Trends

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The latest trends in digital maintenance and the rising adoption of #CMMS
✅ How leading companies are reducing downtime & enhancing asset performance
✅ The role of IoT, AI, and mobile solutions in maintenance
✅ Strategies for bridging workforce skills gaps & ensuring compliance
✅ A real-world case study on digital transformation in asset and maintenance management

💡 This interactive session invites you to share your thoughts on the latest research and discuss your organization's challenges. Don’t miss your chance to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in 2025!

📌 Register now to secure your place:https://bit.ly/4i5Jrhj

#Maintenance #AssetManagement #DigitalTransformation #IoT #AI #Webinar #PEMAC #Verdantix

Economic efficiency is what counts – wood pellet producers know this only too well. But rising energy prices are threatening the profitability of many companies. The solution lies in technologies that not only perform well but also conserve resources. At Ligna 2025, AMANDUS KAHL will show how energy and costs can be saved along the entire production chain: from wet grinding with the pan grinder mill, energy-efficient drying with the fabric belt dryer, pelleting with the Eco Roll and optional Distamat control system, to cooling with a belt unit.

For 50 years, Ligna has been the world's leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industries. “Linking people, driving innovation” is also the central promise in the anniversary year, which attracts international industry representatives to Hannover from May 26 to 30. At booth F57 in hall 26, AMANDUS KAHL will show how machine operators can make a valuable contribution to sustainable and efficient wood processing – one of the main topics of this year's trade fair.

Pan grinder mill: energy-efficient wet grinding

As an alternative to wet grinding with a hammer mill, the pan grinder mill from AMANDUS KAHL allows particularly energy-efficient grinding of the wood. The special defibration across the fiber direction ensures a uniform particle size. Depending on the desired pellet quality, subsequent dry grinding may not even be necessary. This not only saves time, but also up to 50 percent of the energy that would otherwise be required for dry grinding – a decisive factor for economical and sustainable pellet production.

Fabric belt dryer: effective recovery of waste heat

The AMANDUS KAHL fabric belt dryer also focuses on saving resources in the next processing step. Due to the low inlet air temperatures of less than 120°C, waste heat from combined heat and power plants can be used for energy-efficient drying of the wood chips. The result is uniform residual moisture of 10-12% with minimal energy consumption. In addition, the close-meshed synthetic fabric belt of the dryer filters the exhaust air and reduces the dust particles to less than half of the legal limits.

Pelleting with Eco Roll and Distamat: 25% increase in efficiency

The energy efficiency of KAHL flat die pellet mills can be further improved with two optional technologies. With the new Eco Roll technology, the crushed and dried product is compacted in two steps, instead of applying the entire required pressing force in a single step. This reduces energy consumption to only 40-45 kWh per ton of softwood. With a production volume of 50,000 tons and an electricity price of 20 cents per kWh, up to 1,250 MWh of electricity can be saved. At the same time, production capacity increases by up to 25%.

The Distamat technology also contributes to resource-efficient pelleting. As an option, it can be integrated into the electronic automatic pellet mill regulation system (EAPR) to maintain a constant gap between the pan grinder rollers and the die. This extends the service life of wear parts, while reducing energy consumption and minimizing production downtime. In the downstream KAHL belt cooler, the hot pellets are gently and efficiently cooled to 5-10 °C above ambient temperature.

With the combination of pan grinder mill, fabric belt dryer, pellet mill with Eco Roll and Distamat and belt cooler, AMANDUS KAHL offers a fully integrated, energy-efficient pellet production line. Visitors to Ligna 2025 will be able to experience these cost-saving technologies first hand. In addition to the pellet mill 65-1500, the supplier of complete plants will present the new Eco Roll and a hologram showing the Distamat control system.

 https://www.akahl.com/de/

The Eco Roll significantly reduces energy consumption by distributing the pressure load over two phases.

 The Eco Roll compacts in two steps: 1. pre-compaction and 2. maximum compaction.

Maximum capacity and low energy consumption: The KAHL flat die pellet mill 65-1500 in combination with the Eco Roll and the Distamat optimizes energy and cost efficiency in the production of wood pellets.

• Experience the IFS Ultimo maintenance maturity model that helps organizations to identify and articulate targeted outcomes, along with the considerations and investment milestones on the pathway to asset management success
• See how industrial businesses slash mean-time-to-repair with new artificial intelligence (AI) functionality
• Meet the enterprise asset management (EAM) team at stand 5/J20, 4-5 June 2025, NEC, Birmingham. See the IFS Ultimo presentation about the Circle of Collaboration

IFS Ultimo will exhibit at Maintec 2025, the UK's premier maintenance, reliability, and asset management event, held at the NEC Birmingham on 4-5 June 2025. Visitors can meet the enterprise asset management team at stand 5/J20 to explore how the company’s EAM maturity model helps organizations assess their current maintenance practices, define targeted outcomes, and chart a clear pathway to operational excellence.

“Understanding your departure point on the maintenance maturity model is the first step towards optimizing performance and maximizing asset value,” said Kris Sage, Sales Director, UK & Ireland, IFS Ultimo. “At Maintec 2025, we’re excited to demonstrate how our model empowers businesses to take actionable steps on their maintenance excellence journeys.”

EAM solutions have innovated at pace over the past couple of years as AI technologies take centre stage. IFS Ultimo aims to bring clarity to a complex technology landscape with its maturity model. It will also showcase its latest AI functionality, including features designed to significantly reduce mean-time-to-repair (MTTR). 

“We believe AI for preventive maintenance and service some of our customers is the future of asset management and we can fulfil this now through our growing network of partners,” continues Sage. “Yet, in the here and now, reactive maintenance is still a key challenge. So, we are focusing on how AI can value to maintenance for our customers.”

With 80 percent of MTTR spent diagnosing a problem, IFS Ultimo has built AI that uses a large language model (LLM) to suggest the sensory observations of an asset and increase the level of detail in the failure report. Maintenance technicians can simply click on the observations suggested by AI and attach them to their report. As a result, there are more details available for the maintenance technician to solve the issue decisively, rather than visiting the asset to observe the situation.

Join Berend Booms, Head of EAM Insights, IFS Ultimo at 11.30am on 4^th June who is presenting in the Maintenance Theatre on collaboration. Using IFS Ultimo’s Circle of Collaboration model, he will explain the role of technology in empowering operations, maintenance and safety teams to impact uptime, reliability and employee wellbeing through the mission-critical human practice of teamwork and adaptability.

IFS Ultimo works with industrial organizations such as Bristol Port Company, London Gatwick Airport, Freiberger, Renewi and Recticel in the UK. To meet the team at Maintec, visit https://www.ultimo.com/contact.

Read more at https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com/exhibitors/ultimo-software-solutions.  

From Speedor Storm, the largest Speedor available, Hart Door Systems has now revealed Speedor Smart, the smallest Speedor available.

Nick Hart, Hart’s managing director, says the development of Speedor Smart was very much driven by demand from global airports. “We have experience in delivering door solutions for very many international airports so we welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate our Speedor skills in the area of automated baggage handling.“This is a great achievement. We have been able to increase the range of solutions offered by the Speedor brand, in this case by delivering a secure, automatic, door to work repeatedly with conveyor belts, Speedor Smart.

“Overall this strengthens our skills in an important area for airports be it baggage check in, conveyor separation or equipment automatic high speed access doors to the tarmac. There is increasing sophistication in the process at a time when airports are becoming busier. Being able to interface and automate, reliably over millions of operations is key.”

Hart has a considerable range of assets for airports from a range of fire/security shutters capable of delivering protection from smoke and fire threats in a frequent operations environment to roller shutters for Storage/Access areas in airports to high-speed doors up to 6m wide x 8m high. This includes roller shutters tested to 5000pascals pressure. Upper-most is the ability of Hart to deliver high quality solutions across a very wide range of industries not just in the UK but abroad.

Airport customers, for example, come to Hart for solutions and high-quality ones at that which comply with UK, EU and US international standards confirming the end-product achieves a standard which complies with the expectations of our customers and any applicable contractual and legislative requirements. Hart can be relied on to deliver the results and one that understands how airport projects are managed.

Hart has the proven track record of British engineering and service excellence on nearly 40 international airports. These include Heathrow, where Hart installed forty eight check-in desks with a unique design, developed specifically for Heathrow in combination with an international conveyor manufacturer, combining features from other Hart products namely fire, security and high speed, automatic, operation.

Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Hart Door Systems is oldest British manufacturer of high-speed doors and shutters. Founded in 1946, Hart has consistently brought generations of engineering experience and pioneering product expertise together for the benefit of  customers worldwide.

Hart’s innovative products, problem-solving approach and practical experience help companies to maintain quality working conditions as well as containing noise, odour and environmental contaminants. This spirit of innovation is embedded in in the philosophy of continually evolving product range of Speedor high-speed doors, fire shutters, Terror Screen security rated shutters and specialist doors such as ATEX compliant high-speed doors and shutters.

Hart’s products are manufactured to international standards such as the ISO9001:2015 Quality Assurance scheme and LPS 1056 and LPS 1271, Loss Prevention Council Standards for Fire and security doors third party tested to international  standards.

Hart offers consultancy, design, manufacture, shipping, installation, maintenance, servicing and training from a single source. This approach to project management, helps clients save on resources and reduces administrative burden.

http://www.hartdoors.com

Survey of 400+ OEMs, technicians, and installers also reveals 75% commit to long-term outsourcing of solar maintenance

Summary:

·         55% of companies surveyed outsource the majority of their solar maintenance

·         In the U.S. that figure is 54% compared to 60% in Germany and 48% in the UK

·         75% of companies indicate they will continue to outsource maintenance

·         In the US that figure is 71%, with Spain and Germany reaching almost 90% and the UK 58% 

·         30% of companies admit their maintenance strategy is either reactive or non-existent

·         Nearly 60% highlight lack of training for technicians on use of advanced diagnostic tools

A growing number of companies across the U.S. and Europe are strategically outsourcing solar equipment maintenance, driven by a critical shortage of specialised skills and resources within their organisations. This trend, highlighted in a recent survey by Fluke Corporation, a leader in industrial tools and integrated software, underscores the increasing challenge of building in-house expertise to support the rapidly evolving solar industry.

The survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Fluke, reveals that 55% of OEMs, technicians, and installers across the U.S., UK, Germany, and Spain, are outsourcing more than half of their solar maintenance activities. Notably, in the U.S. and Spain 54% of companies are strategically turning to external partners for their solar maintenance, highlighting a widespread reliance on third-party expertise in the face of growing skill gaps. In Germany, this figure rises to 58%, while the UK reports 48%. 

The Fluke survey highlights significant regional differences in the future outlook for solar maintenance, with Germany consistently leading as the largest outsourcer. Looking ahead, the trend of outsourcing maintenance is poised to accelerate, with 74% of companies across the surveyed countries planning to continue or expand external partnerships. While 72% of US companies expect to continue outsourcing in the coming years, nearly 90% of surveyed businesses in Spain and Germany are expected to be at the forefront of this trend. In contrast, the UK lags behind with just 58% of companies anticipating continued reliance on external providers, signalling a potential gap in the adoption of this strategic approach.

“This survey clearly exposes the global skill and resource gaps in solar maintenance, underscoring a critical challenge for the industry,” said Alex Chillman, Fluke Vice President of Innovation. “Outsourcing maintenance has become the norm, and our findings show that this trend is not only widespread but set to continue as the preferred approach for the majority of companies. What stands out is the strategic divergence between countries, each adopting different models for maintaining solar infrastructure.

"This underscores the need for a region-specific, forward-thinking approach to talent development and resource allocation, focusing on streamlining workflows for maintenance staff and supporting the growth of new technicians as they progress in skills and specialisation."

In order to reduce downtime and improve reliability, a little under 60% of companies surveyed say their main focus would be to train technicians on the use of advanced diagnostic tools. Similarly, more than half (53%) of companies indicate that implementing predictive maintenance would be a solution while just under half would prioritise on-site diagnostics and streamlining data collection tools. 

In the UK, focusing on data collection protocols is deemed to be the most important issue in reducing downtime and improving reliability for 56% of companies, with training a fraction lower at 52%. In the U.S., the priorities are reversed, with 60% of companies especially eager to train more technicians and just 46% looking to focus on data collection protocols. This option is particularly low in Germany at 38%. 

The Fluke survey sought the view of more than 400 OEMs, technicians and installers across the U.S., UK, Germany, and Spain. Of those surveyed, 45.6% were technicians, 36.5% OEMs and the rest installers. Nearly 63% were based in the US and just over 12% in each of the UK, Germany and Spain. Respondents in companies with 100 to 249 employees were the biggest group represented in the survey at 33%, followed by 25% with between 50 and 99 and 21% with 250 to 500 workers. The rest were evenly split with either one to 49 employees or more than 500.

To learn more about Fluke solutions for the solar industry, please visit https://www.fluke.com/en-us/products/electrical-testing/best-solar-energy-industry-tools.

Automated Adhesive Processes with Maximum Flexibility

The new NaDos Robot Cell from Nagel Technologies GmbH in Nuertingen, Germany, sets new benchmarks in automated dispensing technology. This system integrates a UR 10e six-axis robot with cutting-edge features such as plasma pretreatment, calibration sensors, and simulation tools for robotic path planning. The innovative path planning tool allows for quick and intuitive programming of robotic paths—a key advantage for development departments and testing facilities. Its high flexibility makes it an ideal solution for industrial adhesive applications, particularly in e-mobility, where precision and reproducibility are essential.

 Plasma Pretreatment for Optimal Adhesion

One of the core functions of the NaDos Robot Cell is plasma pretreatment, provided by Plasmatreat and integrated by Nagel. “By activating the surface, we significantly improve wettability and, consequently, the adhesion of the adhesive,” explains Philipp Schuh, Advanced Robotic Solutions at Nagel Technologies GmbH. “This ensures reproducible quality without the need for rework or cleaning steps.”

 High Process Reliability Through Intelligent Sensor Technology

Integrated calibration using a TCP sensor (Tool Center Point of the robot) ensures precise tool positioning. An additional precision scale enables exact dosing and calibration of the applied adhesive. Depending on the application, various dispenser sizes are available. The dosing rates range from 0.01 to 1,092 ml/min. Additionally, dispensers can be configured for two-component applications with different mixing ratios.

 Flexibility as a Unique Selling Point: Tool Changing and Simulation Software

A standout feature of the NaDos Robot Cell is its flexibility. The tool change system allows for the integration of additional dispensers, grippers, screwdrivers, or camera systems. “Our customers appreciate the simple and quick reconfiguration, particularly in testing environments,” emphasizes Philipp Schuh. “With minimal effort, various adhesives and processes can be tested without requiring extensive modifications.” The newly developed simulation tool enables users to digitally plan robotic paths in advance and avoid collisions. By simply setting points, the system automatically generates the optimal path and simulates the entire motion sequence.

 Broad Application Spectrum and Industrial Use

The NaDos Robot Cell is particularly suited for adhesive applications in e-mobility, such as bonding stators in axial flux motors. Thanks to its six-axis kinematics, it can process both 2D and 3D contours, even in difficult angles or overhead applications. The working area features a 1200 x 800 mm perforated table with variable clamping elements.

Economic Benefits: Automation and Intuitive Operation

Another key advantage of the NaDos Robot Cell is its ease of operation. The intelligent process control system allows productive results to be achieved quickly, even without extensive programming knowledge. This not only saves time but also simplifies operation significantly.

 Future-Proof Solution for Series Production of Axial Flux Motors

In addition to use in testing and development environments, the NAGEL Group also provides solutions for the series production of axial flux motors with a complete manufacturing process. Customers benefit from a strong partner network: for instance, Wafios AG supplies equipment for coil bending, while Nagel’s sister company Gehring Technologies GmbH + Co. KG contributes its expertise in production line integration, welding, and trickle impregnation. Lambda Resins supports the process with its expertise in resin encapsulation. This close collaboration ensures that customers receive a fully optimized, highly automated manufacturing solution—from individual components to full-scale serial production.

With the NaDos Robot Cell, Nagel offers a highly flexible and precise automation solution that unlocks new possibilities, particularly in e-mobility. The combination of plasma pretreatment, intelligent sensor technology, simulation software, and modular expandability makes it an ideal tool for companies seeking reproducible quality and future-proof manufacturing.

www.nagel.com