Members’ News

27 Jan 2021

Hydroscand UK Purchases Assets of JC Mobile Hydraulics, Southampton

BFPA member, Hydroscand UK, a leading provider of solutions and services for hose and fittings, is pleased to announce it has acquired the assets of Southampton-based JC Mobile Hydraulics as of 31st December 2020.

JC Mobile Hydraulics offers 24/7 mobile hydraulic hose repair, service and installation. This acquisition will increase Hydroscand’s capability and capacity in the Southampton area.

Jason Bray started JC Mobile Hydraulics in 2017 after working in the industry for over 15 years. Jason will join the Hydroscand team as HoseExpress Development Manager and the experience and customer focus he brings with him will be of great value to his existing customers and in helping Hydroscand further develop its mobile hose repair service in the UK.

Joining Hydroscand is a great next step for me. It means I can provide additional capacity and expanded geographic reach to my loyal customer base. It will also enable me to pass on my skills and experience to the wider team.” commented Jason.

“I am excited to welcome Jason to the team. This acquisition is an important addition to our core offering. I am looking forward to working with Jason and I am confident we will continue to improve our HoseExpress mobile hose service together.” said Rebecca Galley, Hydroscand UK’s Managing Director.

Contact: 0115 978 9759

Email: info@hydroscand.co.uk

Website: www.hydroscand.co.uk

 

New Year, New Vision and a New Name for Flowtechnology UK: Flowtech

Flowtechnology UK, the leading distributor of fluid power products have announced a major rebrand to reflect the company’s evolution and commitment to delivering the best service in the industry. With immediate effect, the company has changed its name to Flowtech.

Ian Simpson, Managing Director comments “As the biggest distributor of fluid power products in the UK, Flowtech leads the market, whether it be the range of products we supply, the services we offer such as next day delivery for orders placed by 10pm or innovations including our online hose builder and ecommerce websites. However, staying at the forefront of the industry requires evolution and we are evolving our business and brand.”

“Flowtech is synonymous with the expert supply of hydraulic and pneumatic products across the fluid power sector. When aligned with our new brand and values, it also helps to encapsulate our vision for the future – being committed to delivering best in class performance in everything we do, from building close relationships with customers and suppliers, to sharing their goals and offering the most efficient and reliable service possible.”

Flowtech have already recently launched a number of new developments, including a huge reduction in carriage free thresholds, a no quibble returns policy and new business development teams. Ian went on to add “In response to customer demand, we have already significantly increased our stock profile and will continue to further develop and enhance both the products we carry and the services we offer in 2021, so watch this space!”

Tom Helm from Essential Industrial commented on the benefits of working with closely with Flowtech “Over the years we have built a great relationship with the whole team at Flowtech, with access to their impressive stock holding and competitive pricing as well as their technical support and product sourcing abilities. This continued support has allowed us to provide our customers with the best possible service and grow the fluid power section of our business.”

From a practical point of view, Flowtech’s web address is now www.flowtech.co.uk and their email addresses now end @flowtech.co.uk, although @flowtechnologyuk.com email addresses will remain active for the coming months.

www.flowtech.co.uk

 

Gates Publishes Second Annual Corporate Sustainability Report Outlining Responsible Global Corporate Citizenship

On 19 January 2021, BFPA member Gates announced the release of its latest Corporate Sustainability Report for 2019, detailing the company’s ongoing efforts in the areas of sustainability, corporate governance, product innovation, health and safety, community stewardship and diversity and inclusion.

“Adhering to our corporate values has led Gates through more than a century in business, enabling us to expand and thrive in good times and persevere through turbulent periods,” said Ivo Jurek, Chief Executive Officer. “Today, with more than 100 Gates facilities operating in 30 countries around the world, we take very seriously our responsibility as a global corporate citizen and are proud of the progress we’ve made.”

Grounded by Gates’ five core values – accountability, collaboration, tenacity, curiosity and dedication – the 2019 Corporate Sustainability Report covers the company’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and describes a holistic methodology to minimize environmental impact. Gates’ global team takes an integrated end-to-end approach to sustainability by combining innovative materials science, product design and process engineering to create inherently more sustainable products. In its operations, Gates also focuses on water and energy conservation, greenhouse gas emissions and waste minimization, as well as recycling.

The report documents measurable progress across all of these areas of sustainability, as well as in a number of other important areas. Employee health and safety is a top priority and Gates has achieved a 40 percent reduction in recordable injuries over the last five years. Community engagement is also a key focus area which includes programs like the annual BuildORama bicycle-build event at Gates’ Denver headquarters during which employees build and donate bikes to underprivileged children.

Additionally, the report provides an accounting of charitable efforts through the Gates Industrial Corporation Foundation and donations to more than 150 unique non-profit organizations, and the tangible progress made in ongoing efforts to support diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Since early 2020, Gates has 38 percent female representation on its global board of directors.

The full Gates 2019 Corporate Sustainability Report is available to view or download at

Gates Industrial Corporation plc – Sustainability Reports

More about Gates can be found at www.gates.com

 

New configurator from Festo saves time and effort when selecting and ordering process valves

Industrial automation specialist and BFPA member Festo has introduced a new online configuration tool that makes it easier and quicker to select the correct valve or actuator for your process application. Simply select a few parameters and the Festo valve configurator will suggest appropriate combinations, offering a fast, reliable and easy way for process engineers to source coordinated and ready-to-install solutions.

Commenting on the new valve configurator, Leon Kelly, Manager of the Process Automation Centre for Festo UK & Ireland, says: “Configuring the optimum process automation solution for your media is child’s play using the Festo online configurator. It simplifies the whole engineering and purchasing process and allows you to obtain the perfect valve unit in just a few clicks. It includes some really helpful features: for example, the configurator can generate a bill of materials to show the component breakdown. Also, if you need a configuration ID for repeat orders, or a CAD model for your final configured solution, that’s not a problem – the configurator can produce those as well.”

The online valve configurator is ideal for selecting Festo butterfly valve units (KVZA), ball valve units (KVZB) and quarter turn actuator units (KDFP). It simplifies the specification and purchase process by ensuring that all components – from process valves, actuators, pilot valves and limit switch boxes to positioners, adapter kits and hand levers – are from a single source and are perfectly matched and pre-assembled. It is also possible to use the configurator to select an actuator unit without the process valve: ideal for automating existing process valves, or where there is a preference for a third-party supply.

Following a step-by-step guide, the user simply chooses the required parameters in the configurator’s input menu. The configurator suggests the right solutions by taking all relevant factors into account: from the initial product search, configuration, sizing and documentation right through to ordering and delivery of the ready-to-install process valve or quarter turn actuator unit. The configurator can also accommodate unique customer-specific requests.

Together with the proposed solution, the configurator automatically generates an order ID for the complete combination, which can be used for placing future orders. There are also benefits in terms of documentation because the CAD data for the complete, configured unit can be downloaded. Immediate price and delivery time information also make the ordering process easier.

Digital journey

The online valve configurator is the latest solution from Festo designed to drive digitalisation forward and support customers as they enter the age of Industry 4.0. As an automation expert, Festo is combining its extensive knowledge of industrial applications with the latest developments in information technology to realise online applications for industrial automation best practice.

Festo is also using digital communication to support its customers throughout the Digital Customer Journey, guiding users safely and comprehensively through the Festo portfolio: from information procurement and configuration, through ordering and delivery, to commissioning and maintenance: as well as the technical training offered by Festo Didactic.

For more information about Festo process automation products and to access the valve configurator visit: www.festo.co.uk/process

 

Investment in new website ensures the right connections for Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies (HOS)

Specialist hydraulic supply and refurbishment company and BFPDA member, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies (HOS) are delighted to have launched their new website offering products, services and hire across all areas of hydraulics and pipeline materials.

The business has been based in Sunderland for over 30 years and is immensely proud of their North East roots, they provide hydraulic fittings, hose, assemblies, pipeline materials and refurbishment services to many sectors including oil & gas, shipbuilding & repair, renewables and engineering.

Supplying to businesses across the UK and worldwide, the new user-friendly website reflects the full range of products and services offered by HOS and also features a comprehensive technical download section where clients can browse over 70 product brochures and technical guidance catalogues. They have also increased their service offering including carrying out refurbishment contracts and working with clients on large hydraulic projects.

HOS took the decision to invest in the new site at a time when many companies have been struggling or reducing their marketing budget due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, they were mindful to continue with their marketing and sales strategy to ensure the business was stronger and in a healthy position when the lockdown was over.

Managing Director, Don Fenwick said, ‘We are delighted with the new website, with our established background and strong customer base we were determined to proceed with the investment, even faced with uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The website reflects the professionalism and quality within the company and shows our experience within the sector. The key for ourselves was not simply to rest on the business we have made over the last 30 years but to continually grow and become even more successful.’

Don continued, ‘The site contains new features such as news, blogs and client testimonials along with access to our online store and technical download section, we will be continually updating the site so our clients can be assured the information will remain relevant and beneficial to their business.

After being based in Sunderland for over 30 years, we’re looking forward to the further opportunities that lie ahead.’

information on the products & services which Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies can offer and to view their new website please visit: www.hos.co.uk

 

New Midlands Key Account manager for Camozzi

Camozzi Automation Ltd has appointed a new OEM Key Account Manager to cover the Midlands region.

Andy Renshaw joins the leading industrial automation specialist with over 25 years of experience working with suppliers in associated fields.

area of the UK with a wealth of manufacturing and automotive customers. Says Andy: “In the short time I’ve been with Camozzi I’ve been very impressed with the breadth of their product range and I’m looking forward to serving new and existing customers.”

When he’s not at work Andy is a keen motorcyclist and is heavily involved with the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ Motorcycle Section, as well as being a Blood Bikes volunteer. He also enjoys walking his dogs over Cannock Chase which lies close to his Staffordshire home.

Photo: Camozzi’s New Midlands Key Account Manager, Andy Renshaw

https://uk.automation.camozzi.com/

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Do you have a company news story we could feature?

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!

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