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ICML Board welcomes Paul Dufresne

Florida-based M&R consultant and longtime ICML technical contributor steps into leadership role.

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The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) is pleased to announce the selection of Paul Dufresne of Reliability Playbook to serve as the newest member of its Board of Directors.

Dufresne has been president and CEO of Reliability Playbook since 2017, following 31 years holding various management and leadership roles in the maintenance and reliability space, both military and civilian. He has maintained ICML certification since earning his MLT I in 2007 has been an active and engaged ICML volunteer for many years.

“We are excited to welcome Paul to our board,” said ICML Executive Director Leslie Fish. “His experience in maintenance and reliability leadership, coupled with his passion for helping practitioners achieve their best, will further advance the relationship of lubrication-centric credentials to broader M&R successes. This is very timely for ICML as we continue to assert lubrication’s relevance to asset management goals and increased uptime at any given plant through the use of such means as the ICML 55® Standard.”

“I am excited to join the ICML Board of Directors, and I look forward to working with the team to continue to create and deliver value to the organization, and also to continue delivering on the mission of ICML to our members worldwide,” stated Dufresne.

After completing a long stint in the U.S. Army in 2003 at the rank of captain, Dufresne spent the next several years in the corporate world, where he designed and implemented maintenance and reliability (M&R) programs at such companies as Georgia-Pacific, Trico Corporation, and Koch Industries. In 2013 he received the Senior VP Award for Reliability from Georgia-Pacific.

Since starting his own company, Dufresne has worked with his customers to help them set in place and improve a culture of excellence pertaining to plant lubrication and M&R best practices. Incorporating knowledge from his military and business careers, Dufresne uses a hands-on approach to train, coach, and mentor plant personnel at all organizational levels. Throughout this time, he has also been a featured speaker, keynote presenter, and workshop facilitator at national and international conferences.

Dufresne is the past chairman of the Society of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) Best Practices Committee, earning recognition as SMRP’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year. He is a member of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), and his Reliability Playbook company is a recognized training partner with ICML, where he also maintains an active role with our subcommittee work.

Dufresne holds credentials through STLE as a Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS); through ICML as a Machinery Lubrication Engineer (MLE)® and Maintenance Lubrication Technician (MLT) Level I; through Mobius Institute as an Asset Reliability Practitioner (ARP); through SMRP as a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) and Technician (CMRT); through the Association for Facilities Engineering as a Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM); and through the Association of Asset Management Professionals as a Certified Reliability Leader (CRL). He is certified in predictive maintenance technologies such as vibration analysis and thermography and has authored several articles and technical white papers.

Dufresne is a Distinguished Military Graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in military science from the University of Central Florida. He and his wife, April, have four children.

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Find without searching

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Your phone. Your apps.

Easily empower your Android and Apple phones and tablets with the EXA81 to add an RFID read range of up to 15 metres. Firmly attach mobile devices with screws or Quadlock and link your phone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.3 or USB-C. Your device now has an ergonomic pistol grip to trigger scans of UHF RFID labels, barcodes, 2D codes and NFC labels for up to 24 hours on a single charge.

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In addition, we can provide an app to get you going, develop a custom application tailored to your business needs, or adapt an existing company app to present incoming data in any way you want.

Full inventories on your phone

And that is not all. Quickly check centralised inventory data with actual inventories by comparing incoming data from items and assets identified with battery-free RFID labels. Just walk through while scanning to cover the entire space, or get support from fixed RFID reader systems. Home in on excess inventory and highlight missing items, or forward actual inventories for comparison at a later time.

Find out more about the EXA81 >>

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BRADY Corporation

www.brady.co.uk

EngineeringUK responds to Spring Budget 2024

 

We welcome the Government’s commitment to invest in crucial sectors, such as engineering and technology, and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises in the UK, including for example the Green Industries Growth Accelerator (GIGA). We also share the pride that the Chancellor clearly felt when talking about how the UK is becoming a leading force in the technology sector, comparing it to the Silicon Valley.

“However, given all this, we are extremely disappointed that there is no mention of the need to invest more and focus on skilling the future workforce. Without more skilled young people coming through the UK education system, UK businesses will struggle to grow and stay competitive compared to other countries.

“There is an acute STEM teacher shortage affecting young people’s STEM education and therefore their ability to pursue careers in these vital sectors, yet there was no mention of teachers and how the Government intends to support them. There was also a lack of focus on how crucial training routes, such as apprenticeships, will be enabled to grow into the future, and how this will be funded.

“We renew our ongoing call for the Government to develop a clear and properly funded STEM skills plan. This should include investment in careers outreach and education, apprenticeships for young people aged 16-19 and commitment to sustaining existing funding levels for STEM teacher professional development.”

 

 

Schaeffler Group improves profitability in 2023

 

  • Schaeffler Group revenue up 5.8 percent at constant currency to 16.3 billion euros (prior year: 15.8 billion euros)
  • EBIT before special items improved to 1,187 million euros (prior year: 1,046 million euros), EBIT margin before special items at 7.3 percent (prior year: 6.6 percent)
  • Automotive Technologies considerably improves EBIT margin before special items, Automotive Aftermarket reports strong revenue growth, and Industrial reports market-related decline in margins
  • Free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities of 421 million euros better than guidance despite increased investing activities
  • Proposed dividend of 0.45 euros per common non-voting share
  • Guidance reflects planned merger with Vitesco Technologies

Birmingham, UK | March 5, 2024 | Schaeffler AG published its results for 2023 today. The Schaeffler Group’s revenue for the year amounted to 16.3 billion euros (prior year: 15.8 billion euros). Revenue grew by 5.8 percent at constant currency, in line with the guidance for 2023 [revenue growth of 5 to 8 percent]. The constant-currency increase in revenue in 2023 is mainly attributable to increased volumes. Sales prices had an additional favourable impact on revenue.

In 2023 the Schaeffler Group generated earnings before financial result and income taxes (EBIT) of 834 million euros (prior year 974 million euros), a figure that was influenced by 353 million euros in special items. EBIT before special items amounted to 1,187 million euros (prior year: 1,046 million euros). The group’s EBIT margin before special items of 7.3 percent (prior year: 6.6 percent) solidly met the guidance for 2023 [EBIT margin before special items of 6 to 8 percent], despite the challenging market environment. The increase in EBIT margin before special items was mainly due to the favourable impact of volumes and sales prices.

The Schaeffler Group’s free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities totalled 421 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 280 million euros), exceeding the full-year guidance [free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities of 300 to 400 million euros]. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent company amounted to 310 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 557 million euros). The decline in net income was mainly influenced by 313 million euros in special items, which were primarily attributable to the transaction with Vitesco Technologies Group AG announced on October 9, 2023. Net income before special items amounted to 623 million euros (prior year: 610 million euros). Based on net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent company and without the adjustments above, earnings per common non-voting share were 0.47 euros (prior year: 0.84 euros).

At the extraordinary general meeting on February 2, 2024, Schaeffler announced that a dividend payment of 0.45 euros per common non-voting share will be proposed to the annual general meeting on this basis (prior year: 0.45 euros). This represents a dividend payout ratio of approximately 47.3 percent (prior year: 48.3 percent) of net income attributable to shareholders before special items. The company also announced that the dividend payout ratio will be raised from previously 30 to 50 percent of net income attributable to shareholders before special items to 40 to 60 percent going forward.

“During the past financial year, the Schaeffler Group generated good results and continued to consistently pursue its transformation based on its Roadmap 2025,” says Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG. “In a challenging market environment, our diversified positioning proved to be a competitive advantage once again. We will propose an attractive dividend of 45 cents to the annual general meeting in order to share the company’s success with our shareholders.”

 

Key financials of the Schaeffler Group

  

   

in € millions

 

2023

 

2022

 

Change

Revenue

 

16,313

 

15,809

 

3.2 

 

%

• at constant currency

         

5.8 

 

%

EBIT before special items 1

 

1,187

 

1,046

 

13.5

 

%

• in % of revenue

 

7.3

 

6.6

 

0.7 

 

%-pts.

Free cash flow 2

 

421

 

280

 

141

 

€ millions

Net income 3 before
special items

 

623

 

610

 

2.1

 

%

   

12/31/2023

 

12/31/2022

 

Change

Shareholders’ equity 4

 

3,905 

 

4,141 

 

-236 

 

€ millions

Net financial debt

 

3,189

 

2,235

 

42.7 

 

%

Net financial debt to EBITDA
ratio before special items

 

1.5

 

1.1 

 

 

Employees

 

83,362

 

82,773

 

0.7 

 

%

1 Please refer to the annual report 2023, pp. 27 et seq., for the definition of special items.

2 Before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities.

3 Net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent company.

4 Including non-controlling interests.

 

Automotive Technologies – EBIT margin before special items improved considerably
The Automotive Technologies division generated revenue of 9,772 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 9,498 million euros). The constant-currency growth of 5.4 percent year on year resulted primarily from a market-driven increase in volumes.

In the E-Mobility business division (BD), revenue was in line with the prior year’s level at constant currency, while order intake of 5.1 billion euros was once again considerably above the targeted range of 2 to 3 billion euros per year. The constant-currency increase in revenue in the Engine & Transmission Systems and Bearings BDs was largely driven by growth in the Europe region and amounted to 5.3 percent and 5.6 percent compared to the prior year. At 24.1 percent, the Chassis Systems BD reported the strongest constant-currency growth rate. The main drivers here were the Europe and Greater China regions.

The Europe region grew the most, recording an increase in revenue of 12.4 percent at constant currency. While the Americas region reported a constant-currency decline of 2.8 percent, revenue in the Greater China and Asia/Pacific regions rose by 2.0 and 7.3 percent at constant currency. The overall increase in the division’s revenue was less than the growth rate of global automobile production.

EBIT before special items in the Automotive Technologies division amounted to 435 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 292 million euros), representing a considerable increase of approximately 49 percent and an EBIT margin before special items of 4.5 percent (prior year: 3.1 percent). The marked increase in the EBIT margin before special items in 2023 was mainly due to the impact of volumes.

Automotive Aftermarket – strong growth, strong margin
The Automotive Aftermarket division reported revenue of 2,253 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 2,040 million euros). The considerable constant-currency increase in revenue of 11.8 percent was due to the favourable impact of volumes and sales prices. Increased procurement costs were passed on to the market.

In the Europe region, which generates the highest revenue, the Automotive Aftermarket division reported constant-currency growth of 10.3 percent, driven primarily by the considerable increase at the Independent Aftermarket business in Central & Eastern Europe. Revenue in the Americas region rose by 12.0 percent at constant currency in 2023. At 28.7 percent at constant currency, the Greater China region reported the strongest revenue growth in 2023, primarily driven by the considerable increase in e-commerce business. In Asia/Pacific, revenue was 11.8 percent higher at constant currency in 2023 than in the prior year. At 367 million euros, EBIT before special items was 41.2 percent higher than the prior-year figure of 260 million euros. The resulting EBIT margin before special items of 16.3 percent (prior year: 12.8 percent) exceeded the guidance. The continued growth was predominantly the result of a higher gross margin due to a favourable revenue mix and adjustments to sales prices.

Industrial – market-related decline in margin
The Industrial division increased its revenue by 3.9 percent at constant currency to 4,288 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 4,271 million euros). The constant-currency growth in revenue resulted from the positive contribution of the Ewellix Group, acquired early in the year, which amounted to 219 million euros and was reflected in the Industrial Automation sector cluster. The decline in the remaining sales volumes, primarily due to the weak market environment in the Greater China region, was only partly offset by a favourable impact of sales prices.

The Europe region reported a constant-currency increase in revenue of 7.0 percent. In the Americas region, revenue rose by 11.3 percent at constant currency. In the Greater China region, the weak market environment had a considerable adverse impact on the revenue trend. Revenue in this region was down 6.3 percent year on year at constant currency, while revenue in the Asia/Pacific region increased by 5.3 percent at constant currency.

EBIT before special items amounted to 385 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 493 million euros), with an EBIT margin before special items of 9.0 percent (prior year: 11.5 percent). Factors influencing earnings included a decline in gross margin as a result of a change in the revenue mix, primarily due to the market trend in the Greater China region and the market-driven overall decline in production volume.

 

Key financials by division

       

  

   

in € millions

 

2023

 

20221

     

Change

Automotive Technologies

               

Revenue

 

9,772

 

9,498

 

2.9 

 

%

• at constant currency

         

5.4 

 

%

EBIT before special items2

 

435

 

292

 

48.8 

 

%

• in % of revenue

 

4.5

 

3.1

 

1.4

 

%-pts.

Automotive Aftermarket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

2,253

 

2,040

 

10.4 

 

%

• at constant currency

         

11.8 

 

%

EBIT before special items2

 

367

 

260

 

41.2 

 

%

• in % of revenue

 

16.3

 

12.8

 

3.6

 

 %-pts.

Industrial

               

Revenue

 

4,288

 

4,271

 

0.4 

 

%

• at constant currency

         

3.9 

 

%

EBIT before special items2

 

385

 

493

 

-22.0 

 

%

• in % of revenue

 

9.0

 

11.5

 

-2.6 

 

 %-pts.

1 Prior year information presented based on 2023 segment structure.

2 Please refer to the annual report 2023, pp. 27 et seq., for the definition of special items.

 

Free cash flow – better than expected despite increased investing activities
Free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities amounted to 421 million euros in 2023 (prior year: 280 million euros). The year-on-year increase is primarily attributable to working capital expanding less extensively than in the prior year, despite higher capital expenditures on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.

Capital expenditures on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (capex) rose to 938 million euros during the same period (prior year: 791 million euros), representing a capex ratio of 5.7 percent (prior year: 5.0 percent). The reinvestment rate amounted to 1.00 (prior year: 0.88).

As at December 31, 2023, the Schaeffler Group’s net financial debt amounted to 3,189 million euros (December 31, 2022: 2,235 million euros). The ratio of net financial debt to shareholders’ equity (gearing ratio) increased to 81.7 percent (December 31, 2022: 54.0 percent).

The Schaeffler Group’s total assets amounted to 15,006 million euros as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022: 14,284 million euros). As at that date, the number of employees was 83,362, 0.7 percent more than the prior year figure of 82,773.

“Schaeffler achieved its targets in 2023 and once again demonstrated its financial and operational strength with a free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities of 421 million euros,” Claus Bauer, Chief Financial Officer of Schaeffler AG, states. “In a dynamic environment, we are succeeding in expanding our competitive position in the right places by making targeted investments in new technologies.” 

Guidance for 2024 reflects planned merger – considerable revenue growth expected
For 2024, the Schaeffler Group expects to account for the 38.87 percent of the shares in Vitesco Technologies acquired in January 2024 using the equity method from the date of acquisition up to and including the third quarter of 2024. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the merger with Vitesco Technologies will be entered in the commercial register in the fourth quarter of 2024 and that Vitesco Technologies will be fully consolidated in Schaeffler’s consolidated financial statements upon this registration.

Based on this, the Schaeffler Group is forecasting considerable revenue growth at constant currency in 2024. At the same time, the company expects to achieve an EBIT margin before special items of 6 to 9 percent, and anticipates free cash flow before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities of 300 to 400 million euros.

A voluntary outlook on the performance of the divisions is omitted in light of factors such as the planned structural adjustments in connection with the merger of Vitesco Technologies into Schaeffler.

Guidance

Schaeffler Group



Revenue growth[1]

Considerable revenue growth

 

EBIT margin[2]

6 to 9%

 

Free cash flow[3]

300 to 400 million euros

 

 

 

Planned merger Schaeffler and Vitesco Technologies – leading Motion Technology Company
The planned merger with Vitesco Technologies Group AG announced by Schaeffler AG in 2023 marks a further pivotal step along its path toward becoming a leading Motion Technology Company. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. The integration of Vitesco Technologies will substantially broaden and expand the Schaeffler Group’s business and technology portfolio, particularly in the field of electric mobility. The Bearings business division, previously part of the Automotive Technologies division, is already being combined with the Industrial division in the first quarter of 2024. Following the merger with Vitesco Technologies, the Schaeffler Group will have four focused “pure-play” divisions, each holding a strong position in their respective markets: E-Mobility, Powertrain & Chassis, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions, and Bearings & Industrial Solutions. The regional structure with its four regions will remain.

Schaeffler AG’s public tender offer to the shareholders of Vitesco Technologies Group AG was successfully completed at the beginning of 2024. Together with IHO Holding, the Schaeffler family’s holding company, Schaeffler AG currently controls approximately 89 percent of the share capital and voting rights in Vitesco Technologies Group AG. In addition, Schaeffler’s shareholders almost unanimously approved the proposed conversion of the common non-voting shares into common shares with full voting rights at the extraordinary general meeting of Schaeffler AG and the separate meeting of the common non-voting shareholders in early February 2024. The share conversion is conditional on the merger becoming effective either previously or simultaneously. Going forward, Schaeffler AG will then have only one class of shares and all shareholders will have equal voting rights.

The merger of Vitesco Technologies into Schaeffler, the third step of the overall transaction, now requires the approval of the annual general meetings of both companies in particular, which will take place on April 24, 2024, (Vitesco Technologies) and April 25, 2024 (Schaeffler). An integration committee consisting of an equal number of members from each company was set up in December 2023 to promote rapid integration and achieve the planned revenue and cost synergies of 600 million euros a year as soon as possible. The committee meets weekly and receives operational support from central integration teams that coordinate the integration activities for both companies.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, explains: “The merger of Schaeffler and Vitesco Technologies brings significant benefits for our stakeholders. We are convinced that the transformation will make Schaeffler shares more attractive. The positive signals from the capital markets in response to the planned merger confirm that we are on the right track with our intent to create a leading Motion Technology Company.”

You can find press photos of the Board of Managing Directors here: www.schaeffler.com/en/executive-board

 

[1] Constant-currency revenue growth compared to prior year

[2] Before special items

[3] Before cash in- and outflows for M&A activities

An Equal Opportunities Problem – Unscheduled Downtime

Unscheduled downtime is a negative contributor to any company’s bottom line. It impacts production, sales, customer satisfaction, and of course company revenue. Senior management in most organisations would recognise it as an issue and yet it appears as though unscheduled downtime is simply thought of as a phenomenon that has to be accepted and happens in every industry across the entire world.

According to a recent report by Siemens in 2023, unscheduled downtime costs Fortune Global 500 companies a staggering 1.5 trillion dollars in lost revenues, or about 11% of their annual turnover.

Unplanned downtime occurs across every major industry. As one insightful commentator put it, ‘Unscheduled downtime is an equal opportunities problem’. It is estimated that over 80% of companies have experienced at least one unplanned downtime in the past 3 years. Of all the companies polled, 70% did not have a full knowledge of when important pieces of equipment were due for scheduled maintenance or replacement. Of course, the cost of an unscheduled breakdown varies according to the industry, the length of stoppage and the remedial costs. But one fact is certain; the cost of breakdown goes way beyond the cost of replacing the components. Some reports put the average cost of unplanned downtime at $250,000 per hour and $2 million per event. With so many companies operating on a basis of JIT, then damage to supply chains and reputation must be considered and can prove more costly than the simple loss of production. As a result of this, more companies than ever before have ‘zero unplanned downtime’ as a number one goal.

One of the key challenges to any maintenance manager is identifying potential breakdowns before they happen. In recent years many tools have become available to assist engineers to predict failure in key items of plant hence enabling preventative maintenance to be carried out before catastrophic failure takes place. Thermal imaging cameras are capable of detecting hot spots in gearboxes and bearings whilst more recently, through quantum leaps in technology, acoustic cameras have saved companies huge amounts of revenue by detecting faulty components and inefficient operating systems.

FLIR Teledyne, formed in 1978 is a world leader in the development and marketing of thermal and acoustic imaging cameras. Since then, they have supplied almost every industry around the world with market leading cameras and instruments representing the latest technology.

Building on the highly successful Si124 launched in 2021, FLIR are pleased to announce the launch of a new acoustic imaging camera, the Si2. With an improved frequency range of 2 – 130kHz the camera can detect minute leaks from air systems, ensuring maintenance can be carried out at an early stage before production is adversely affected. Those hard-to-reach areas of plant, such as elevated compressors or simple transfer lines are no problem for the FLIR Si2 with it’s built in lighting system and huge 100+ metre detection range.

Over the years, many production plants have simply accepted compressed air leaks as ‘the norm’ and at best, a minor irritation. But as any production director will know, with energy costs continuing to escalate, compressed air is expensive. A well known compressor manufacturer has estimated that the average leakage rate is about 25% with some plants losing about 80% of their compressed air through leaks. Any air or gas escaping through leaking joints is a false economy and directly impacts the bottom line.

To make life easier, the FLIR Teledyne Si2 camera not only detects leaks in air systems, but thanks to built-in advanced software actually calculates the financial implications of the identified leaks.

To find out more about the FLIR Teledyne Si2 acoustic camera and other products in the extensive FLIR Teledyne range of predictive monitoring tools please contact your local agent or distributor.

www.flir.com

 

Gill WearDetect IoT – Next level predictive maintenance – view right into the heart of your rotating equipment

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WearDetect IoT combines Gill’s market leading oil debris sensors with Gill’s new IoT data platform to provide seamless equipment oversight for confident asset management.

Gill’s WearDetect oil debris sensors reduce unplanned downtime by continuously monitoring ferrous wear debris in lubricating oil to give the earliest maintenance warnings. This real-time condition monitoring, right in the heart of the equipment, is made all the more powerful when combined with the ability to collect, visualise and analyse that data using the Gill IoT Platform.

WearDetect IoT also allows alerts to be configured from multiple assets and multiple locations and sent straight to your PC, phone or other device, providing insight into gearbox and rotating equipment health, at your fingertips.

  • Enhanced data collection & analysis – data assimilated from remote sensors in one simple-to-use platform.
  • Remote monitoring and control – remote asset oversight enables timely maintenance.
  • Scalability and flexibility – additional sensors can be added to the platform enabling systems to meet changing requirements.

WearDetect IoT offers:

  • Real-time condition monitoring – live updates, alerts and machine wear data insights direct to your device.
  • Precision sensing – WearDetect employs advanced solid-state sensors (no moving parts) to detect both fine and coarse ferrous wear debris.
  • Trending data for predictive analysis – the Gill IoT Platform allows data visualisation for clearer insights supporting informed decision making.
  • Instant alerts – user specified alarms ensure users are aware of changes as soon as they occur.
  • User-friendly intuitive interface – easy data access and setting configuration puts the user in control.

Typical applications include:

  • Industrial machinery – centralising wear data for rotating equipment allows maintenance professionals to pinpoint issues and minimise downtime.
  • Automotive production – visualising wear data provides clearer and earlier maintenance insights on production lines with numerous loaded gearboxes.
  • Cranes – heavily loaded critical gearboxes in hard to access locations benefit from remote wear monitoring.
  • Wind farms – supports wind turbine gearbox monitoring and proactive, data-informed maintenance scheduling.

All Gill products are solid state, with no moving parts for minimal maintenance and low cost of ownership.

Gill Sensors & Controls is an established leader in the design and manufacture of advanced measurement sensors. Gill specialises in providing cutting edge products for level sensing and real-time ferrous wear detection, delivering market-leading performance and reliability. 

Gill is based in the UK with facilities including R&D, manufacturing, sales and customer support but also sells across the world through a long-established base of highly experienced distributors.

www.gillsc.com

 

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Enerpac 100 ton Lock Grip Puller gets to grips with large truck and vehicle maintenance

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Enerpac announces the LGH3100 synchronous lock grip system delivering up to 100 tons of hydraulic force for pulling medium to large size wheels, sprockets, bearings and other similar shaft-mounted parts. The puller’s self-centring closing "Lock-Grip" system moves all jaws simultaneously, allowing a single operator to safely handle removal of large wheels, bearings, and couplers with ease.

Removing large, shaft mounted, components that may have become seized and corroded can be challenge for maintenance operators. Dangerous practices such as torching, cutting and hammering are liable to damage expensive parts leading to maintenance delays and extended equipment downtimes. The 3-jaw LGH3100 Lock-Grip Puller gives operators the ability to detach heavy and stubborn, large shaft mounted components efficiently and without damage.

The 100 ton lock grip puller is mounted on an ergonomically designed rolling cart with a low centre of gravity that minimises the physical effort needed to position and operate the puller. The cart features large industrial castor wheels and pockets for use with a forklift. The hydraulic pulling power is provided by the onboard Enerpac ZE3-Series electric two stage pump and remote operating control pendant.

Removed components are captured and held securely within the synchronous locking jaws. With a maximum reach of 1219 mm, the smooth action, hydraulic scissor lift on the LGH3100 cart provides effortless centre height adjustment from 698 mm to 1679 mm. When both space and budgets are tight, the 3-jaw LG3100 is easily converted into a 2-jaw, 70 ton capacity configuration, avoiding the need to use valuable budget on a separate 2 jaw puller.

“The LGH3100 Lock-Grip Puller is the safe and productive way to remove large shaft mounted components without damage,” says Diego Rossi, Commercial Director Rail Markets EMEA, Enerpac. “The combination of a smooth action scissor lift, synchronized grip jaws and an intuitive operator station creates a stable and efficient pulling tool, allowing a single operator to remove, for example, large wheels, bearings, and couplers with unmatched ease.”

For more information on the Enerpac LGH3100 Lock-Grip Puller, visit www.enerpac.com.

Bespoke electric winch ensures safe and smooth loading of HGVs

The recent supply by Hoist & Winch of a bespoke electric-powered winch to a UK building products company is allowing the safe and smooth lifting and lowering of a large telescopic export chute that loads heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs) with a media byproduct from the customer’s production process. Importantly, raising and descending takes place in a level and precise position thanks to adjustable turn-buckle jacking screws.

Conceived by Hoist & Winch, one of the UK's leading lifting equipment companies, a 400 V three-phase Haacon wire rope winch providing a swl (safe working load) of 1,500 kg sits at the heart of this innovative solution. The advanced winch offers a special triple rope lead-off design that raises and lowers the export chute via one vertically and two horizontally orientated diverter pulleys. A purpose-made frame and bolted connections facilitate mounting of the winch to the steel floor, ensuring level rope pay-off from the winch drum to the three diverter pulleys serving the system.

The final wire rope connection to the export chute is via adjustable turn-buckle jacking screws and swivelling eye bolts, a design that not only provides accurate chute levelling adjustment, but also extends the service life of the wire rope by eliminating any twisting action.

Winch control arrives courtesy of a switchgear enclosure and a two-button, single-speed, hard-wired pendant control station located remotely in an environmentally protected operating cubicle. Environmental protection is vital due to operating temperatures of over 40°C in summer months, as well as excessive dust in the atmosphere and surrounding work areas.

                                                                                                                                                            Continued ……

The new winch system, which replaces an original obsolete solution that had reached the end of its service life, offers a number of further beneficial features to the customer, many relating to safety. For instance, the winch has a pressure roller to ensure secure retention of the wire rope on the drum. This capability is particularly important in the event of a slack wire rope, which might occur due to accidental over-lowering of the chute on to the HGV bed, for example.

Further safety-oriented features include an inverter controlled winch motor to provide very smooth and slow speed control, and grooves in the winch drum to ensure even and secure wire rope winding.

Notably, the scope of supply provided by Hoist & Winch was extremely comprehensive, as Andy Allen, Director of Hoist & Winch, explains: “We provided all pre-installation survey work to ensure correct alignment of the winch, diverter pulleys and associated equipment. In addition, we performed installation commissioning and load testing, all field wiring and the issue of a LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) Thorough Examination Report for the complete system, including diverter pulley support steelwork. We take our responsibilities very seriously in all customer projects, ensuring the delivery of robustly engineered, high-performance solutions that are safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose.”

Delivered on-time and on-budget, the installation took place over a two-day plant shutdown. Hoist & Winch also provided thorough operator training on topics such as winch operation and control functions, as well as daily maintenance checks.

Visit www.hoistandwinch.co.uk for further information and to view recent case studies.

Hoist and Winch Ltd

Unit 20, 11B Arrow Business Park, Alcester Employment Park, Arden Road, Alcester, B49 6HN

Tel:  08450 171126                  

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

web: www.hoistandwinch.co.uk

Hi-line Technical Division: nationwide coverage, local presence

Hi-line Industries, a UK-based leader in the design, manufacture and installation of energy-efficient compressed air purification equipment, has established a new Technical Division that further elevates the level of support available to its valued nationwide distribution network. With highly qualified and accredited technicians, Hi-line’s Technical Division uses an unbranded fleet of vehicles whenever the need arises to provide support for a third party.

As an ISO9001-accredited UK manufacturer of class-leading air filters, adsorption dryers and air treatment ancillaries, Hi-line is a major supplier to the compressed air industry. One of Britain’s largest stockists and a proud member of the ‘Made in Britain’ campaign, the company has a responsibility to support its extensive distribution network, which includes compressed air service companies, compressor OEMs and local industrial suppliers/agents.

Hi-line’s new Technical Division employs only experienced compressed air treatment service personnel, with engineers trained in all aspects of compressed air and gas generation. Every technician is ACRIB (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Board) registered and an approved ‘safe refrigerant handler’ in accordance with REFCOM (Register of Companies Competent to Handle Refrigerants). The company is also affiliated to BCAS (British Compressed Air Society) and works in association with DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

                                                                                                                                                                        

To support its broad portfolio of class-leading solutions for the compressed air industry, Hi-line’s Technical Division offers an extensive list of services. The servicing of compressed air dryers made by Hi-line and other manufacturers (refrigeration and desiccant models) is clearly a core activity - involving tasks such as filter element replacement, desiccant changes and condensate separator maintenance - but there is plenty more to Hi-line’s new service offer.

For instance, the company can provide air treatment total care agreements, energy audits (compressed air flow analysis), breathing air analysis, leak surveys, compressor data logging (with reports) and dewpoint measurements. In addition, the company has a long list of retrofit services available, including the ability to add dewpoint control to any make of dryer via the company’s high-capability AEMS (Automatic Energy Management Systems). Hi-line can also update dryer analogue control to touchscreen panels and provide dial-in retrofits for digital monitoring. Even pipework installations and modifications (including hygiene-grade stainless steel pipes) are no problem for the company’s Technical Division. Importantly, discretion is a priority whenever required.

“Many of our products are ‘unbranded’ at the request of compressor companies and other OEMs,” explains Hi-line’s Managing Director Steve Smith. “To support these products, we have an unbranded fleet of vehicles and can even adopt plain overalls and customer service report sheets upon request. Whatever your service requirement, we have discreet, well presented and qualified engineers to support compressed air treatment equipment made by Hi-line and others.”

Further information is available from: Hi-line Industries Ltd,

Green Street, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire  DE14 3RT

Telephone: 01283 533377                                           Fax: 01283 533367              

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                      www.hilineindustries.com

Major European provider of industrial liquid bulk products and gases joins EEMUA

Rubis Terminal has become the latest company to join EEMUA, the international membership body for companies that own and operate industrial facilities or that are significant purchasers or users of engineering equipment and materials.  

Rubis Terminal is a leading major independent provider of industrial liquid bulk products and gases, operating 15 terminals across France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. It provides flexible, reliable, and responsible solutions, handling a wide variety of products across the fuel, biofuel, chemicals, and agrifood sectors.

Hugues Baillet, Technical Director of Rubis Terminal commented: “Joining EEMUA is a strategic move for Rubis Terminal to enhance our commitment to safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance within the industry”.

Deovonne Ferreira, EEMUA’s Head of Membership, added: “EEMUA is well placed to support Rubis Terminal in its commitment to sustainability and being part of the global route to Net Zero – the EEMUA membership is expert, is engineering focused and technology neutral, working across industry boundaries developing and sharing engineering expertise and good practice in tackling the engineering issues needed for industrial assets to operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance”.


EEMUA:
www.eemua.org

Rubis Terminal: https://www.rubis-terminal.com

Snickers Workwear’s New Wind-Protective Jackets and Hoodies.

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A Fusion of style and performance - built for active work in the Spring.

Snickers Workwear’s new range of lightweight Mid-layers are crafted for full flexibility on site and optimal comfort.

Built for active work, they’re fully flexible and can be worn as an outer layer when it’s warmer or a mid-layer when it’s a bit cooler.

They’re full of handy technical features and innovative fabrics to tame the wind, plus brand new energising colours to brighten your spring-time workday.

Choose from new street-smart styles such as the Windblocker Half-zip Hoodie or the Lightweight Flexiwork Mid-layer Jacket. There’s also a new Windproof Soft-Shell Jacket for women.

Whatever Snickers Workwear Mid-layer you choose, you can be sure that they all have body-mapping designs for a great fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

 

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear clothing range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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