Members’ News
27 Jan 2020
Bath University ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control 9-11 September 2020
BFPA Education & Training member Bath University would like to make you aware of the FPMC, the annual Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control. This year it will be held at the University of Bath from September 9 – 11, 2020. They very much welcome industrial participation, both as presenters and attendees. You can find more details and the call for papers (abstract submission by February 3rd) on their dedicated web page:
https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/fpmc-bath-asme-symposium-on-fluid-power-and-motion-control/
BHR Group Fluid Sealing Conference 2020 4-5 March 2020 in Manchester
The 25th International Conference on Fluid Sealing 2020 will take place in Manchester on 4 – 5 March, 2020. The conference offers the opportunity for Systems and Process Engineers, Materials Technologists, equipment operators and end users to update themselves on developing technologies, to meet world experts on sealing systems, to learn from applications, case studies and practices and to discuss opportunities with service and product suppliers.
BFPA members will receive a 10% discount on conference delegate bookings, the discount code to use when registering is BFPA. In addition, BFPA members who are interested in exhibiting at the event can qualify for a discount.
For more information or to register please visit: BHR Sealing Conference 2020
Rob Woodley of Derek Lane receives BFPA Award for 40th anniversary
Derek Lane & Co was established in 1979 by the company’s namesake Derek Lane and has reached its 40th anniversary in 2019. With over 40 years’ experience in the fluid power industry the company which was originally set up to supply the local community with fluid power products, Derek Lane now services businesses in the South West of England and beyond.
Managing Director, Rob Woodley commented that “being a part of a much bigger Fluid Power Group has really opened up further opportunities for growth, by having one of the largest pools of Technical and design talent in the region is giving us some really interesting projects and solutions to customer requirements.”
“Derek Lane & Co is going from strength to strength, investment in people, skills and infrastructure is our focus to give our customers the best service possible”.
Rob Woodley has been a member of the BFPDA Council since 2013 and continues to play a part in the committee discussions which direct the work of the BFPDA.
BFPA congratulates Rob Woodley and the team at Derek Lane for reaching their impressive milestone and recently awarded the company a plaque to commemorate their achievement.
New company name for Emerson Automation Fluid Control and Pneumatics UK Limited
Following the acquisition of Aventics Limited by Emerson in 2018, from January 2020 the company in the UK will be called: Emerson Automation Fluid Control and Pneumatics UK Limited, based in Skelmersdale.
Industrial and Marine Hydraulics (IMH) has opened a new facility at the Port of Blyth
BFPDA member, Industrial and Marine Hydraulics Ltd (IMH) has opened a new facility at the Port of Blyth, UK which is equipped to provide full onsite service and inspection operations.
IMH, which was founded in Teesside in 1983 by engineer Paul Griffiths MBE, has grown to operate in more than 50 countries and supports customers with hydraulic engineering expertise in a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, subsea, offshore and onshore renewables, nuclear, and automotive. Companies on the port – which is situated on the coast of Northumberland, North East England – will be able to tap into hydraulic solutions, inspection and service capabilities provided by IMH, including flushing rigs and testing equipment. IMH engineers will be joined at their new facility by MJR Controls, which provides E&I control systems that complement IMH’s hydraulic solutions as well as Ferschl, a specialist hose supplier who have worked closely with IMH for many years.
Customers can also benefit from IMH’s capabilities in design, manufacture, installation, component supplies, consultancy and training, which are delivered through its head office in Middlesbrough, UK.
For the full article click here
New partnership strengthens IMH’s hydraulic offering to the energy sector
Industrial and Marine Hydraulics (IMH) has also signed an MOU with Advanced Actuators Limited to provide combined hydraulic solutions to the nuclear energy sector. For several years IMH has been working alongside Advanced Actuators, a well-established supplier of actuators, control solutions and hydraulic components, providing field operatives to support Advanced Actuators in delivering hydraulic maintenance solutions at nuclear sites.
The MOU will enable customers in the nuclear energy sector to benefit from a one-stop service including a shared resource and planning capability as well as having integrated reporting lines and regular governance. Ian Duffew, Commercial Director at IMH, comments: “We are delighted to enter into this MOU as both organisations share similar history and operate under the same values and client approach. The signed agreement will support the delivery of a co-ordinated solution, from bid to completion, that is aligned to the customer’s challenge and delivers quality and efficiency benefits through our joint expertise.”
HydraForce raises over £2,000 for Movember 2019
Congratulations to Aston based manufacturer and BFPA member, HydraForce Hydraulics Ltd, who raised £2,500 for Movember last year, surpassing their original sponsorship halfway through the event. Seven HydraForce employees were at the centre of the campaign, growing moustaches throughout November to raise money for the charity.
Glen Arrowsmith, IT Systems Administrator at HydraForce, independently organised the fundraising event, to help raise awareness for the charity that focuses on a variety of issues affecting men including Prostate & Testicular Cancer and Suicide, due to mental health issues: “My dad was diagnosed with cancer last year and I know others that have lost their Dads unexpectedly in similar circumstances, so it’s an issue that is very close to all of our hearts” said Glen, when asked why he got involved.
By mid-November, the group had already hit their original sponsorship target of £1000, extending their goal to £1,500 by the end of November, which has since been exceeded again. Donations came from employees at the company who raised £1,882.50 (including GiftAid), with the remaining £617.50 kindly being donated by HydraForce themselves:
The seven employees who embraced the Movember moustache for the campaign include: Glen Arrowsmith, Guy Patey Round, Ali Mohamed, Rich Squires-Thornton, Ben Leavesley, Caleb Smith and Slava Stakhovskiy; who are all based at the Birmingham facility.
HydraForce apprentice shortlisted for British Education Awards
HydraForce Hydraulics Ltd also recently announced that their former apprentice, Joshua Lambden has been shortlisted for the Vocational British Education Award (BEA) for England Zone 1 Region. Joshua, who attended Birmingham Metropolitan (BMet) College, completed his Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship one year early, following which he was promoted to Maintenance Technician at HydraForce last year.
Joshua will be competing against two other students in the Vocational award category for England Zone 1:
“When I found out I’d been shortlisted for this award, I couldn’t believe it. I was speechless. A British Education Award is such a highly recognised achievement and the fact I have been shortlisted for it blows my mind” said Joshua upon hearing the news.
“BMet has allowed and supported me in achieving the academic results I never thought I could achieve and when I first took on my apprenticeship, I never thought I would be where I am today. I am also so grateful to the team for their support, and the opportunities provided to me by HydraForce.”
The BEA ceremony will be held at the Manchester Hilton Hotel on Thursday 30th January. Region England Zone 1 covers students from the North West, North East, Humberside & Yorkshire and West Midlands.
“HydraForce is very proud that Josh has been nominated for this award, which is a result of his hard work and dedication to his studies” said Tony Brown, Managing Director at HydraForce.
“Throughout his Apprenticeship he has demonstrated commitment and passion for learning which the company has been happy to support, both financially and through time off to attend college. I would encourage people of every age to embrace education, everyone has the capacity to develop through learning, regardless of their profession or status.”
Joshua has also been successful at previous awards including Made in the Midlands Regional Apprentice of the Year Award 2019 and the Runner-up award for Ladder for Birmingham: Outstanding Apprentice of the Year, last July. This is the second time a HydraForce Apprentice has been recognised by the BEA, with the same category having been won by one of Joshua’s predecessor last year.
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BFPA would like to help publicise our BFPA and BFPDA members’ company news (free of charge to members) in our newsletter and / or on our website news page and want to feature more news stories from our BFPA and BFPDA members. Each news item will be set alongside a photo / logo / image (which you would ideally supply) and archived by date. We may also be able to publish on our news pages or send out to a wider media list as well on your behalf.
We would love to hear from you if you have any suitable UK fluid power industry news stories such as:
- Senior staff appointments
- New buildings being opened
- Awards being won / presented
- New industry sales partners announced
- New acquisitions / alliances etc.
- Innovative or unusual projects or case studies
Please send any news items to Sarah Gardner sarah@bfpa.co.uk – we look forward to hearing from you soon!