A night of celebration for the pump industry

8 January, 2009

Once again, the Pump Industry Awards, staged on 19th November at the Hilton Hotel in Coventry, offered the opportunity for those involved in the pump and pump-related industries to gather together and recognise and reward the achievements of both individuals and companies.

This year’s event was the biggest and best yet, with just under 240 people attending the evening of celebration. And the current gloom in the global economic environment didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of those who joined together to celebrate successes in the pump industry.

The awards are designed to promote best practice in key areas of manufacture and supply, including innovation, energy saving, sales growth, customer care and employee motivation, and this year, five companies and two individuals were recognised for their achievements.

Organisers Datateam Publishing would like to convey their thanks to everyone involved in the 2008 awards, all of whom helped to create an evening of fun, networking and celebration.

Datateam would also like to thank those who donated generously to the BPMA’s chosen charity – WaterAid. A total of £2200 was raised through the charity raffle, so big thanks go to the contributors of the prizes, which included a Polar FT60 training computer and Polar G1 GPS, a paintball experience for eight people, a weekend break for two, a round of golf at the Belfry, several cases of wine, a digital photo frame, and a selection of iPod Nanos and an iPod Classic.

We now have pleasure in announcing the 2008 WINNERS.

Technical Innovation of the Year
Sponsored by Sterling Fluid Systems
Awarded for the most innovative pump, pumping system or other pump related product (new or redeveloped) with effectiveness being demonstrated via application details.

Technical Innovation of the Year was awarded to PX Pressure Exchanger Technology (PX) – Energy Recovery. The rotary positive displacement pump recovers energy from the high pressure waste stream of sea water reverse osmosis systems at up to 98 per cent efficiency with no downtime.

Finalists:
•Byelaw Compliant Washdown Set – Grundfos Pumps.
•SPX 353 - New Heavy Duty Oil Pump – Plenty Mirrlees Pumps.
•Innovatory Control System for Pumping Stations – Retroflo.
•SPP Condition Monitoring Systems – SPP Pumps.
•Profibus-Enabled IP66 Peristaltic Pumps – Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps.

Environmental/Energy Saving Award
Sponsored by World Pumps
Awarded for the pump product, system or service, which has made a significant contribution to environmental issues, such as energy savings, emissions control, noise reduction or life cycle costs.

The winner of the Environmental/Energy Saving award was Grundfos ALPHA2 – Grundfos Pumps. The ALPHA2 is specifically developed for domestic heating applications. A key feature is AUTOadapt, which allows the pump to match its performance to the system requirements. These pumps carry an “A” energy label.

Finalists:
•Armstrong IPS Integrated Pumping System – Armstrong Holden Brooke Pullen.
•PX Pressure Exchanger Technology (PX) – Energy Recovery.
•Energy Costs and CO2 Emissions Savings at Datteln Power Station – Sterling Fluid Systems.
•The Wilo Stratos-Eco High Efficiency Pump – Wilo UK.

Manufacturer of the Year
Sponsored by EagleBurgmann Industries
Awarded to the pump manufacturer who has achieved recognition from contractors or final end users of pump products for their services in areas such as technical expertise and advice, customisation of special needs, clarity of all documentation, on-time delivery and after sales service.

This award was presented to SPP Pumps. SPP’s manufacturing facility is at the forefront of pump manufacturing adopting techniques such as 5S, 3D CAD and advanced contract management techniques. With more than a century of experience SPP advises and supplies end users and contractors in many market areas from construction to fire protection.

Finalists:
•Grundfos Pumps.
•Mono NOV.
•Wilo UK.

Distributor of the Year
Sponsored by ITT Jabsco
Awarded to the pump distributor who has achieved recognition from either the pump sector or final end user for their services to industry in areas such as technical ability and advice, customisation of special needs, market penetration and growth and on time delivery and service.

The Distributor of the Year was awarded to AMS Pumps, BSS Group. AMS Pumps has seen excellent growth this year, strengthening its position as market leader and the largest pump distributor in the UK. With further development of a national after-sales offering for commissioning, service, spares and repairs, AMS has been able to deliver a comprehensive, UK-wide offering.

Finalists:
•Pumps UK.
•Tomlinson Hall & Co.

Although not an eventual winner, Tomlinson Hall & Co was delighted to be a finalist in this category. Tony Keville, chairman and managing director, said: “This is a proud moment in the history of Tomlinson Hall, a history which spans almost a century of engineering and distribution. Our clients are our greatest advocates and allies, which isn’t something every distributor can claim, the recognition we have received is solely due to their continuing support and confirms the strength and longevity of the relationships we hold.”

Supplier of the Year
Sponsored by SPX Process Equipment and Process & Control
Awarded to a supplier to the pump industry that has demonstrated consistently high levels of technical innovation and developments, environmental awareness, customer service and satisfaction, market penetration and growth.

The winner of the Supplier of the Year award was ABB. ABB is the world’s largest manufacturer of drives and a quarter of all the drives the company produces are used in pumping. In the UK alone, the company sells over £10 million worth of drives to the pump industry every year.

Finalists:
•TotalSealCare Service Solutions – EagleBurgmann Industries.
•Greene, Tweed’s Inside Advantage – Greene, Tweed & Co.

Young Pump Engineer of the Year
Sponsored by SPP Pumps
Awarded to a young pump engineer, aged 30 years or younger, who has made a positive contribution to an interesting product or project.

The award went to Sarath Alayilveetil, Design Engineer – Flowserve Pumps. Sarath, 28, drives the efficient use of CAD within Flowserve by leading the transition to 3D draughting, managing the drawing control systems, and upgrade of CAD software. His major achievement in productivity and customer response has been to self-learn the use of VBA linked to AutoCAD to create an automated process for generating section drawings in which the pump features are chosen from drop-down boxes.

Finalist:
•David Potter, Engineering Apprentice – Grundfos Pumps.

Judges’ Special Award
Sponsored by BPMA
This award recognises outstanding contribution and achievement.

The winner was chosen by the Pump Industry Awards judging panel for a truly outstanding entry/individual/ company. The winner of the category this year was Geoff Brown of ABB. Geoff received the award in recognition of his 40 years dedication to developing and promoting pump and drive technology.

Presenting the award, BPMA’s president, Owen Shevlin of SPP Pumps said: “Geoff’s enthusiasm for his subject areas continues unabated. He remains well-known throughout the industry for his willingness to share his accumulated knowledge for the benefit of staff, customers and the wider industry.”

Geoff has held the position of chairman of the GAMBICA drives group technical working group and he has contributed to a number of guides covering all aspects of drive engineering.

Accepting the award on Geoff’s behalf, Steve Ruddell, general manager for ABB’s drives and motors business, said: “Geoff’s award recognises that we have the kind of knowledgeable and committed people who can really make a difference. This award proves that, as well as being a major supplier to the pump industry, ABB is a source of expertise and advice that is a great benefit to the pump industry as a whole.”

Our congratulations go to the award winners, and indeed to all this year’s finalists.

For further information about the awards, or details about how you can get involved in next year’s ceremony, please contact event co-ordinator Hannah James on 01622 699114 or email hjames@datateam.co.uk.