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Following a period of successful testing and customer trials ERIKS has announced that ‘Track and Trace’ functionality is now available for all its UK and Ireland customers. This new functionality allows ERIKS to further offer a seamless digital experience to its customers and for them to have full insight into the delivery schedule of their orders.   

When goods are despatched from ERIKS’ Fulfilment Centre of Excellence in Oldbury, near Birmingham the customer receives an email notification enabling them to track and trace their order by simply following a link.  

The email notification includes the customer’s order number and a hyperlink to transfer the customer directly to the carrier’s site. By following this link, customers can access the actual tracking status of their goods.  

The customer email also contains other useful information including: the Order Line Number, the Supplied Quantity, the Part Number Reference and even a short description of all the items contained within the delivery. The container reference and the servicing branch address and phone number are also included to ensure the customer has all the information they need without having to speak to or contact anyone. 

Talking about the launch of Track and Trace Pamela Bingham, ERIKS’ CEO said, “We have anticipated this moment for some time, but we needed to get it right and therefore we have invested a lot of time and money in testing the system and running live trials with customers. 

During this process we have worked through the inevitable snags, and we now have full confidence that our customers will be delighted with the information they can easily get and it, once again, this takes us further forward in the digital way we do business with our customers.” 

www.ericks.co.uk

Ashley Quarterman has joined the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) as its new Executive Director Designate.

Ashley will strengthen the team by working alongside Vanda Jones during a transition period, enabling the Society to continue with its plans and initiatives to help BCAS members provide support and advice to their compressed air and vacuum customers.

Working in the engineering sector for almost 30 years, Ashley has both a technical and business development background, managing teams both here in the UK and in other territories including Asia Pacific and the Nordics.  He has 18 years’ experience of industrial pipework systems in roles at Tyco Fire and Building Products, as Business Development Manager at Parker Hannifin, Senior Sales Manager at Walker Filtration and Commercial Leader at Ingersoll Rand.

Future plans

Having worked in the industrial sector for many years, Ashley knows only too well the ongoing challenges of attracting young, engineering talent into the industry.  He will work closely with Steven Rohan, the BCAS President and the BCAS board to continue the Society’s important work around apprenticeships.

His immediate goals are to complete some ongoing projects, such as additions to the popular PSSR and written scheme of examination training, the important work that Terry Collier, the BCAS Training and Development Manager is undertaking around the change to the CSCS card scheme and updates to the Food Grade Best Practice Guide.

Ashley said:

“I am proud to join the British Compressed Air Society and to continue the work that Vanda and the team have been undertaking to improve the support offered to members. 

“BCAS offers tailor-made support, from technical and legislative updates, to training, to an extensive range of business resources - and I will be looking to extend the services we can offer for both our members and end users.”

Steven Rohan, BCAS President adds:

“I am delighted to have Ashley onboard. He is a valuable addition to the team, and we look forward to drawing on his considerable technical and engineering knowledge to benefit our members and compressed air end users.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Vanda, who will remain a key part of the team during this period of transition and succession planning, for her valuable contribution and support.”

For further information about the British Compressed Air Society please visit https://www.bcas.org.uk

IGS Metalspray® Pipe ID Rover: Advanced Internal Corrosion Prevention for Oil and Gas Pipelines

 Transporting untreated wet gas poses significant corrosion risks to pipelines. The presence of corrosive contaminants such as H₂S and CO₂ in oil and gas pipelines can severely damage key pipeline assets such as finger slug catchers, flare lines, and wet gas pipes by the corrosion of carbon steel surfaces. This results in leaks, loss of containment, and costly unplanned shutdowns.

By offering a robotic no-man-entry, field-applied alloy upgrade for these pieces of equipment, this cutting-edge solution addresses the challenges of wet CO₂ corrosion and internal corrosion in pipelines with unparalleled precision.

Last Chance to Register

Webinar: Robotic Alloy Cladding Solution for Internal Pipeline Corrosion

Date: Wednesday, April 24th 2024

Time: 11:00AM BST

Register Now

Hart Door Systems has completed two more contracts for leading UK manufacturers supplying a range of door systems from Hart’s Speedor range of high speed doors to Hart’s roller shutters.

“Both clients are leading manufacturers in their respective sectors, one specialising in roofing and cladding, the other in wall, roof and landscaping innovations,” says Gordon Kipling, Hart’s Northern Sales Manager. “Their requirements were dissimilar which resulted in Hart supplying a range of doors for different purposes.

“For example we supplied Speedor Cleanroom, high speed, doors for one contract and Speedor Minis for another. Cleanroom is designed to work in environments in which pressure differentials need to be maintained and where hygiene standards are high, whereas Speedor Mini is for high traffic, frequent use internal applications. This is a low cost access option.”

Mr Kipling added: “In all over both contracts were supplied a total of 10 doors. Once again our range of door solutions gives clients many options and as manufacturers they very often have highly individual needs. Hart is a logical supplier with considerable expertise.

“Our product choice is superb and manufactured to required standards. We expect more orders for fast action doors to follow in the near future.”

www.hartdoors.com

Preparations are well under way for Yamazaki Mazak’s exhibition attendance at MACH 2024. The machines have left its Worcester plant and are now heading towards the NEC in Birmingham.

Customers have been invited to visit the company’s stand from Monday next week where Mazak will be showcasing not only eight of the latest machine tool and laser processing technologies, but also a range of automation systems and digital solutions to help customers make the best decisions to support the growth of their business. This includes the new MAZATROL DX software through the Mazak iCONNECT portal, which offers machine monitoring, maintenance, and support.

The key message to manufacturers at the event is ‘Building for the Future’. This includes an affordable range of UK-designed and built machines for milling, turning and 5-axis machining, the selection of “NEO” machines developed to deliver unparalleled reductions in energy consumption while maintaining the highest standards of precision and productivity, finance packages to suit every budget and an extensive menu of service options to support the lifetime of a Mazak machine. In addition, the company will be launching a free trial of its newest software that will allow customers to become competitive when quoting for jobs and reduce costs by significantly improving the setup time of those jobs before machining even begins.

Doors are open on Monday, why not come and see what’s on offer in Hall 20, stand 330?

Anyone who has yet to register for MACH can do so at: https://discover.mazakeu.com/mach/

The longstanding partnership between Fluke Corporation and CalPlus GmbH in Germany will be celebrated with an award ceremony and a new time-limited discount offer on multi-product calibrators for end-customers.

Eindhoven, Netherlands. 12th April 2024: Fluke Corporation, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, recently hosted an award ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Premium partnership with CalPlus GmbH.

A leading German specialist distributor for test and measurement equipment and the leading supplier of calibrators for electrical quantities and temperature, CalPlus was formed in 1999 by former employees of Fluke. Today, the company serves customers in all areas of the German economy, including colleges, universities, research institutes and authorities, and is headquartered in Berlin.

The success of the longstanding, historical partnership between the two companies is down to the extensive technical knowledge that the CalPlus sales team has of Fluke Corporation’s products. CalPlus is also the exclusive German distributor for Fluke Calibration’s electrical and temperature calibration portfolio.

In 2022, this expertise enabled CalPlus to secure the largest single order for Fluke Calibration of $6.7 million – $4.5 million on hardware and $2.2 million on Premium Care plans – with a semiconductor and component test systems manufacturer. The accuracy, reliability and stability of Fluke Calibrations’ products are of critical importance to calibration and primary laboratories in Germany.

Flavio Romano, Senior Director of EMEA Sales, Fluke Corporation said: “The success of our partnership is owed to CalPlus’ unwavering commitment to customer-centricity and excellence in customer service, innovation and technical expertise. CalPlus’ profound product understanding enables them to provide comprehensive training and unmatched support, expediting the discovery of optimal solutions. Their proactive innovation ensures they lead in meeting evolving customer needs. Together, our shared vision for growth in the German market has forged a strategic alliance marked by mutual trust and a relentless pursuit of excellence.” 

Jürgen Mau, Managing Director of CalPlus says long-term customer and supplier partnerships are at the heart of CalPlus’ corporate philosophy.

“Having Fluke as a Premium partner for 25 years has enabled us to make substantial inroads into the electrical and temperature calibration market in Germany. Over the years, we have also expanded our in-stock range of Fluke’s industrial and networking portfolios to reflect the considerable growth in the renewable energy sector, including solar and wind power as well as electric vehicles. These rapidly evolving markets demand reliable testing and calibration solutions of the highest quality. Fluke is a true innovator in these sectors and enables us to deliver complete solutions to our customers.”

Upgrade and save 20% for a limited time

Fluke Calibration is offering European customers the opportunity to upgrade and save 20% on the 55X0A Series of High-Performance Multi-Product Calibrators. For a limited time, customers can trade in their existing precision calibrator regardless of the manufacturer and upgrade to the latest technology.

Featuring three advanced models, the 5560A, 5550A and 5540A provide the most comprehensive electrical workload coverage with the highest accuracy, an intuitive redesigned front panel, MET/CAL compatibility and much more. This limited time offer ends on 28 June 2024.

More information on Fluke Calibration’s new trade-in program can be found here.

IGS Tube Tech has won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the 2023 calendar year.      

Now in their 66th year, the International Safety Awards recognise and celebrate organisations from around the world which have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the scheme’s independent judges their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health during the previous calendar year. The awards also acknowledge organisations that have shown commitment to wellbeing and mental health at work. 

In 2024, 1124 organisations won an International Safety Award. They span all sectors with significant representation from the construction, manufacturing, oil, gas, mining, power, and utility sectors. Winners were drawn from 49 countries worldwide.

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, congratulated IGS Tube Tech on their success in winning an International Safety Award 2024: “The British Safety Council applauds IGS Tube Tech on their achievement. The award is to recognise their commitment and hard work to keep their employees and workplaces free of injury and ill health.  

“The vision of British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit.

Louise Strutt, HR Manager at IGS Tube Tech, said: “To be recognised as winner of the International Safety Awards 2024 is a great achievement and testament to our employee’s commitment to upholding our organisation’s strong health and safety culture.

“IGS Tube Tech holds an ISO 45001:2018 certification for its Occupational Health & Safety Management System and we continuously aim to improve and develop our processes to mitigate the risk of workplace injuries and ill mental and physical health.”

The winners of the awards will be celebrated at two events, a UK Gala Dinner to be held in June in London and an India Dinner in May in Mumbai, they will also be included in the June issue of Safety Management Magazine.

For more information about Tube Tech, visit: www.tubetech.com

As California takes affirmative action to address climate challenges, including the 23 million tons of organic waste that it produces annually, the environmental services industry is also taking positive steps to ensure that the unwanted material is put to the best possible use.

This includes upgrades of the important mixing process at anaerobic digestion facilities to boost biogas yields from material that would have otherwise been destined for landfill; releasing harmful methane, rather than converting it into clean, green renewable energy.

‘First anaerobic digester’

In May 2023, Republic Services, a leader in the environmental services industry, made a significant expansion of its organics recycling operations when it acquired North State Bioenergy, a biogas facility at Oroville; its first anaerobic digester. The site, located some 70 miles north of Sacramento, was once home to a rendering plant, from whom the AD plant received organic matter, but it now mainly uses commercial food waste from across Northern California as feedstock for its principal, 64’ high, 2200m³ (580,000-gallon) digester.

With Republic Services wanting to optimize the biogas operation at Oroville, a new submersible chopper pump has been introduced for the facility’s 20,000-gallon Receiving Pit; from the same company whose equipment still works efficiently and effectively on the main digester.

‘Minimizes safety risks for our operators’

Dave Meyer, Operations Manager at Republic Services, explains:

“We made a calculated investment when we chose the Landia GasMix system for the main digester. It is a highly dependable system, with external accessibility, which simplifies maintenance and avoids costly downtime associated with internal components. Unlike other systems with moving parts inside, Landia's design minimizes safety risks for our operators and ensures a seamless, efficient, and profitable process without the challenges of shutting down a delicate biological operation.”

Ten years on, and the GasMix Chopper Pumps on the main digester are still going strong. When Republic Services decided to replace the pump for the Receiving Pit at Oroville, it chose Landia again for the demanding food-waste application that runs 24/7, 365-days a year. The new Landia Chopper Pump is stainless-steel, 30HP, with an external 5-blade knife system that continuously reduces the particle size of the feedstock. Using the original site drawings that Landia had safely archived, it meant that the new submersible could be integrated with the original pump and mix system, dropping the new Chopper Pump straight into the Receiving Pit. It now blends up all the incoming food waste (25-30% solids; some of it pre-processed at a Republic Services’ facility in Sacramento), ensuring that there is a continuous, consistent flow of homogenized feedstock going into the digester.

From the Receiving Pit at Republic Service’s Oroville facility, the food waste now homogenized by the Landia Chopper Pump is transferred into two tanks (40’ diameter by 24’ high), where the first acid-forming phase of the biogas production process takes place.

These heated tanks contain bacteria that break down the material and prepare it for its onward process. When the feedstock is ready, it is then pumped into the main digester where the biogas-producing bacteria get to work.

Ken Jacobs, Landia’s Aftermarket Manager, added: “It’s fair to say that we had some fun and games at first with the install of the new Chopper Pump. Sometimes, nothing seems straightforward when upgrading a biogas plant (!), but Dave and I worked closely to make everything right. We have a fully-stocked inventory in the US, so can always provide back-up, without delay.”

In 2022, Republic Services recycled 2 billion pounds of organic waste. Diverting this organic material from a landfill provided a climate benefit equivalent to removing the annual emissions of 22,000 passenger vehicles. Organics recycling directly supports Republic Services’ sustainability goal to increase the recovery and circularity of key materials from the waste stream by 40% by 2030.

www.republicservices.com

www.landiaworld.com

Leicester Bearings, a leading nationwide provider of engineering components, consumables and associated mechanical services, is pleased to announce its partnership with Inpro/Seal, a reputable manufacturer and distributor specialising in industrial and mechanical bearing protection components. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen the distribution network for their high-quality bearing products in the UK.

Leicester Bearings has established itself as a trusted name in the engineering and mechanical distribution sector, known for its commitment to quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service. With an extensive network and a proven track record of delivering high quality products to various industries, they align seamlessly with Inpro/Seal’s values and commitment to excellence.

The partnership with Inpro-seal marks a significant milestone for Leicester Bearings as they expand their reach and accessibility within the UK market. Customers can now expect easier access to state-of-the-art bearing protection products, designed to provide proven permanent bearing protection, enhance equipment reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of critical machinery, all at an affordable price point.

Carl North, Regional Sales Manager at Inpro/Seal, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Leicester Bearings to our growing network of partners. Their dedication to providing top-tier solutions aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering cutting-edge bearing protection products. Together, we look forward to serving the needs of the UK market more effectively."

Jamie March, Managing Director at Leicester Bearings commented on the partnership, "Leicester Bearings is excited to join forces with Inpro/Seal. This collaboration enhances our product portfolio and allows us to offer our customers access to premium bearing protection solutions. We are confident that this partnership will bring mutual success and contribute to the satisfaction of our valued clients."

For nationwide enquiries, pricing, or to place an order for bearing protection products, please contact Leicester Bearings on 0116 2549886, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.leicesterbearings.co.uk.

Talking to an industrial door company in Newcastle upon Tyne may appear to lack immediate synergy with a global issue but Hart Doors is well ahead of the pack when it comes to climate change.

Research suggests that the global Energy from Waste market will reach an investment level of 50 billion dollars by 2027. That is three years’ time.

Doug Hart, chairman, Hart Door Systems, says that the energy from waste sector has some unique challenges such as strict planning conditions for Energy from Waste plants

Noise is a factor, escaping odours and vermin infestation are two more. The actual process of managing the waste creates humid environments and corrosive atmospheres so the door type and installation have to be to the highest standards.

Typically for an Energy from Waste site in Moscow we supplied 22 doors, 11 high-speed ‘Speedor Storms’ and 11 manually operated swing doors. We also recommended 4m x 6m Speedors which were efficient and cost-effective.

Considering the challenges faced by those in the Energy from Waste sector, we know that soundproofing and durability are desirable features – which is why multilayer PVC is used in our Speedor Storms to ensure their strength, as well as providing tear resistance, which extends their life spans. The multiple layers, which trap air, also mean the door can be used to contain sound.”

Nearer home Hart has completed a contract to supply seven insulated shutters and one high-speed Speedor Storm at the Dundee and Angus Energy from Waste facility at Baldovie, north east of Dundee.

To illustrate our broader approach, like many of its contracts we addressed the technical challenges first by working with the design consultants throughout. After all a typical new build project which will use around 110,000 tonnes of residual waste per year to generate electricity.

In the important global dimension there is an urgent need to maintain and accelerate sustainability in the light of climate change/global warming acceleration. This is seeing growing demand for Waste-to-Energy facilities across the world with the global market forecast to grow by nearly 7% by 2025.

Not only does this create energy in the process but it uses waste created by growing populations across the Globe. Accordingly Hart regards Energy from Waste as a developing sector which from the beginning the process of getting rid of waste and generating electricity is not straightforward.  

As a result Hart has adapted its existing door brands such as Speedor and purpose-designed doors that can operate alongside in potentially hazardous environments. To cope with these  environments is extremely challenging.

As an example Hart has developed a series of enhancements to its standard roller shutter specification. These significantly extend the life and the operational reliability of these essential doors.

High humidity, corrosive atmosphere and vermin damage are particular problems and lead to unreliable installations without preventative design enhancement. Hart’s expertise in developing custom doors to maximise performance in any environment is widely acknowledged.

Hart’s solutions can be found at some of the world’s major Energy from Waste projects. Hart’s global presence will increase significantly as the need to convert waste to energy becomes more urgent.

www.hartdoors.com