Members News
26 May 2022
BSP Hydraulics celebrates 30 years in the hydraulics industry
In 2022 BSP Hydraulics Ltd is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a leading name in the hydraulic industry. Family owned, BSP was founded in 1992 and is located in Normanton, West Yorkshire. The company has been a distributor member of the BFPA for nearly 10 years.
Doug Conyers, Managing Director says; We’re often asked ‘How did it all begin?’, well in this celebratory post we will explain all. Originally founded by Brian Slack in 1992, myself and Karen Conyers took over the reins in January 2004. Fast forward eighteen years and BSP has come a long way. Starting from just a three-person team to now fourteen people (not forgetting our hydraulic hound, of course), we are renowned for providing top class customer service and technical knowledge across all areas of the UK and Ireland. Back in 2004 our first location was merely 1500 sq ft, compared to our current location at 12,000 sq ft – we have grown by 700%! In addition to this, our stock holdings have increased by 1500%. Allowing us to offer next day deliveries and extremely shorter lead times. Furthermore, we are ISO 9001:2015 accredited and a proud member of the BFPA.
Partnerships:
Over the years the company has joined partnership with world leading hydraulic manufacturers including, Parker Hannifin, Hydro Leduc, Bezares and Kazel (just to name a few), and its large product range enables it to offer unbiased opinions and suitable products regardless of application type or specific requirements. BSP’s strong relationships with its premier suppliers allows it to hold a solid position in the UK market with high quality components. BSP has been in premier partnership with Hydro Leduc for 25+ years and Parker Hannifin 15+ years, thanks them for their trust and support of their product ranges and offer the best technical support and service to the UK & Ireland market.
Doug Conyers, Managing Director adds; “BSP have worked extremely hard over the years to improve their market presence in an ever-growing industry. Our team’s wealth of technical knowledge is top class and really does separate us from other companies within our industry. There is nothing we don’t cover when it comes to hydraulics and our varied technical knowhow enables us to help customers quickly and efficiently. Which is definitely a bonus when time is against us. Our customers are given genuine advice and a selection of quality products. BSP are in a great position to move forward with the ever-changing world and we hope you will join us for the journey. “
Expansion:
BSP aren’t planning on slowing down anytime soon, our team are always working on new projects and developing ideas. Over the years we’ve introduced an in-house repair and service facility, this enables us to not only provide excellent service via distribution, but also offer an after sales service, providing peace of mind should your components require maintenance in the long term. We are also equipped with a top-class hose and fittings division, allowing us to provide complete hose assemblies. We will also be venturing into the mobile hydraulic hose replacement in Spring 2022, an investment for BSP to further widen our offerings.
Moreover, in 2020 we introduced the UK’s first Parker Store Truck Hydraulics Centre, our central UK base being the perfect location for providing quality truck parts and repairs to help keep vehicles roadworthy. More recently, we developed our digital presence and made our website more comprehensive and user friendly. Furthermore, in 2022 we will be announcing some exciting news on how we will be able to further support our customers. We will be introducing to the UK market our electrification and hybrid product range and will be showcasing open days in 2022 so our customers can view and experience the new product range.
Karen Conyers, Finance Director says; “There has been many peaks and troughs over the years, but we have maintained our hard work and determination throughout, and with combined efforts from the team we are very hopeful of the future ahead. Starting out with just myself and Doug we have continued the family business, as now our daughters will be helping push the business forward. It’s been an exciting time being part of a growing and developing business and I’m optimistic the next steps for BSP will be just as fruitful.
We hope the next 18 years will be as thriving as the last, and with some of the plans we have for 2022 we know it will be a busy one but very rewarding. None of what BSP Hydraulics Ltd has achieved would be possible without the support of our ever-expanding team and of course our extremely valued customers and suppliers. Thank you for choosing BSP and we hope you will celebrate alongside us for our 30th year in business!”
Festo announces the first pneumatic cobot
BFPA member Festo asks: What if there was a robot that was easy to operate, did not require a safety fence and was also attractively priced? That would introduce a whole new era in human-robot collaboration. This new era is now dawning – with the world’s first pneumatic robot from Festo.
Hardly any industrial market segment will grow as rapidly over the next few years as human-robot collaboration. Cobots relieve employees of particularly strenuous or monotonous tasks, giving them new levels of freedom and making their work easier and healthier. And no other technology has such a sensitive and flexible approach to human-robot collaboration as pneumatics.
The benefits of pneumatics
The Festo Cobot owes many of its advantages, such as its sensitivity, weight and value for money, to the benefits of pneumatics. The direct drives in the articulated joints are very cost-effective and particularly lightweight because, unlike electric solutions, no heavy gear units or expensive force-torque sensors are required. The world’s first pneumatic cobot is a result of the exceptional expertise in controlled pneumatics from Festo.
Cost-effective option – even for small and medium-sized companies
The Festo Cobot even makes using cobots cost-effective for small and medium-sized companies, which often rely on manual work processes. Its flexible application options mean that small batch sizes or work steps can now be processed automatically. Thanks to its uniquely intuitive and simple commissioning and programming, it is quick and easy to get to grips with so extensive training is not required.
The pneumatic Festo Cobot will be cheaper than electric cobots in the same class. It will provide excellent value for money in its main application area of small parts handling with payloads of up to 3 kg. “When it goes on sale in 2023, the Festo Cobot will set new standards in human-robot collaboration with its ease of use,” explains Dr Frank Melzer, Member of the Management Board for Product and Technology Management at Festo.
Easy to operate and flexible to use
The Festo Cobot consists of the hardware itself, a handheld module and the Robotic Suite – software for intuitive commissioning and programming. This package makes it possible to commission and program the Cobot in less than an hour. Prior knowledge of robotics is not required either, because the self-explanatory “Robotic Suite” software contains clearly visualised and standardised function blocks. Pneumatic drives enable the robot arm to be guided by hand easily and without any resistance so that waypoints or paths can be taught quickly and precisely.
For small and medium-sized companies in particular, cobots are only attractive if they can adapt quickly to take on a new task and are not just permanently used for the same purpose. The Festo Cobot meets this requirement as it doesn’t require an additional control cabinet (which can be difficult to connect and cumbersome). The compact controller that is integrated in the Cobot’s own base makes it particularly flexible. Simple connections also allow it to be used ad hoc without long changeover times. Common bus standards enable fast connection to higher-order controllers. It also requires less space.
Thanks to state-of-the-art, lightweight construction methods, the Festo Cobot weighs in at well under 20 kg so that it can be deployed quickly and flexibly at other locations.
Working safer and faster
With a length of 670 mm, the Festo Cobot is just like a human arm and has the right reach for it to be perceived as a helping third hand when working with a member of staff. It moves – like a real colleague – within a manageable radius. Thanks to the flexibility of the pneumatic drives, the cobot acts sensitively – at a speed appropriate to the situation and with fluid, harmonious movements. It is as soft to the touch as human contact.
The cobot’s pneumatic direct drives and its light weight reduce its contact energy. Says Christian Tarragona, Head of Robotics at Festo: “Thanks to precise pressure regulators in the articulated joints, the robot recognises when it is being touched and responds with appropriate safety functions.” Employees can work together with their careful technical colleague in complete safety.
For more information about Festo products and services, visit: www.festo.com/gb
R&G Fluidpower Group announces the acquisition of three companies: Lancashire Hose and Fittings, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies and Rubberlast Group
R&G Fluidpower Group, a Group distributor member of the BFPA, has announced three acquisitions in 2022: Lancashire Hose and Fittings, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies and Rubberlast Group.
Lancashire Hose & Fittings (www.lancashirehose.co.uk) was formed in 2001 by Andrew Stanworth who has been working in the hydraulic industry since 1987. A family run business, where each and every customer is valued and not just seen as a number on a balance sheet. An ethos which mirrors that of R&G. Based in Bolton, the 5000 square foot depot and trade counter carries a huge stock of hydraulic and pneumatic parts, and is manned by friendly, qualified staff whose experience ensures that all operations are handled efficiently.
Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies (www.hos.co.uk) has been based in Sunderland’s riverside area for over 30 years, having been owned by Alan Wills since 1985, the company has extensive knowledge and experience in the fluid power sector. The company pride themselves on their personal, family run approach, where every member of staff is a valued part of the company and their customers are respected and treated individually.
Rubberlast Group Ltd (www.rubberlast.com) is a leading supplier of industrial rubber, PVC and polyurethane associated products. Founded in 1945, Rubberlast Group Limited has offered a wealth of product knowledge and passionate problem-solving capabilities to the industrial elastomer market for over 75 years. A long standing service which will only continue to excel within the R&G group.
For more information on R&G Fluid Power Ltd please visit www.rgfluidpower.com
Regent Trist Hydraulics announces new service cooperation agreement with SightCall
BFPDA member Regent Trist Hydraulics has signed a new agreement with SightCall, an Augmented Reality company to expand its services capabilities.
In a new dedicated brochure, the company stresses the point that: The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), states that equipment must be, “safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate.” With routine Preventative Maintenance, the risk of dangerous equipment failures is reduced, making the hydraulic system safer to operate. In addition regular maintenance leads to longer asset life and cost savings in the longer term.
CLICK HERE to download the Regent Trist Hydraulic Preventative Maintenance Brochure
Alternatively for more information, contact:
T: 0333 000 2040
E: service@regenttrist.co.uk
www.regenttrist.co.uk
Rotec, a leading provider of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical mechanical engineering services and products, and distributor member of the BFPA, has committed to becoming a net zero business by pledging to half its carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2040.
A recent ‘Carbon Footprint Assessment’ identified the main sources of the Rotec’s carbon emissions and has ensured necessary management frameworks, processes and systems for decreasing the company’s carbon footprint are data-driven and have measurable targets. The business has also recently received its FNZ Standard – a benchmark and progress recording and monitoring tool, which is verified and audited by future Net Zero.
To achieve net zero by 2040, Rotec will first focus on reducing emissions caused in-house and by their supply chain to the lowest possible level. Any emissions that cannot be eliminated will need to be offset through schemes that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The business, with service centres based throughout the South West of the UK, have already taken a number of steps towards their net zero goal, and will continue to take future action in the coming years; continuously looking for new ways to become more sustainably responsible and ultimately carbon neutral.
Paul Prouse, Rotec’s Managing Director, commented “We are pleased to announce our environmental commitment to achieve net zero by 2040. Reducing Rotec’s carbon footprint is embedded within our business strategy.
“As part of being an environmentally responsible company, we are committed to supporting our customers to become more sustainable by designing and offering more energy-efficient and eco-friendly engineering solutions.”
Webtec Recognises Young Female Engineers of the Future
This Year’s Recipients of the Roy Cuthbert Scholarship Announced
Due to the high standard of applicants, BFPA member Webtec is proud this year to sponsor two Arkwright Engineering Scholarships and has awarded Roy Cuthbert Scholarships to Emily Williams and Rona French.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, part of the educational charity ‘The Smallpeice Trust’ is a national scheme. Now in its 30th year, it aims to widen access and provide young people from all backgrounds the chance to experience the exciting world of engineering. Webtec has been proud supporters since 1991 and the Roy Cuthbert Scholarship, which is part of the scheme, was named after Webtec’s founder, a passionate engineer and entrepreneur who passed away in 2013.
This scholarship scheme acts as a beacon to the most talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) students in the UK schools and helps to ensure that high-potential young people stay engaged in the engineering careers pipeline, in the critical 16 to 18 age range.
“Recognising talent in students and rewarding hardwork and commitment is important and we are delighted to have the opportunity to award two scholarships to young female students who well deserve this accolade. Webtec is passionate to support and encourage young talent into engineering and the Arkwright Scholarship offers a great opportunity to help students achieve their full potential” commented Martin Cuthbert, Webtec’s Managing Director.
In addition to the Arkwright Scholarships the company also actively supports other programmes including the Primary Engineer® Leaders Award and the Engineering Education Scheme (EES) and works with local schools to offer career guidance and job opportunities at Webtec.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme for 2022 is now open to applications from Year 11 students in England and Wales, S4 students in Scotland and Year 12 students in Northern Ireland. Schools or students who would like to apply for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme, can visit www.arkwright.org.uk to learn more.
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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
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- New acquisitions / alliances etc.
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Please send any news items to Sarah Gardner sarah@bfpa.co.uk – we look forward to hearing from you soon!