March 2006 - British Plastics Federation
Gareth McDowell and Jim Crouch of 493K Ltd, were in London this month to meet with representatives of the British Plastics Federation. The forum, held at the BPF's head offices in Bath Place, was designed as an informative session focusing on the business climate currently experienced by the United Kingdom rotomoulding plastics industry. Gareth McDowell presented 493K's products, K-Kontrol, a full-time temperature measurement system, and K-Paq, a portable temperature and pressure measurement radio transmitter.
Attendees of the BPF Meeting - Gareth McDowell, Jim Crouch (493K Limited), Mark Kearns (Queen's University Belfast), Martin Spencer (Rototek), Allan Joyce (Balmoral Tanks - Group Chairman), David Howarth (Ico Polymers) , Martin Coles (Matrix Polymers), Shaun Champion (Thomson Tecknik), Martin Carder (Rota Design), Anthony Roberts (BPF)
He discussed the success of recent 493K installations, illustrating the simplicity of the process with a series of on-site photographs. McDowell told how K-Kontrol and K-Paq were now widely used in the industry to improve production efficiency and reduce costs.
He illustrated energy savings available to K-Kontrol clients, now including machine installations on: Ferry Rotospeed, Polivinil, Caccia, Reinhardt and Alan Yorke Engineering. McDowell said: "493K's systems provide our clients with controls to ensure frugal mould processing, reduced scrap rates for new and existing products, and improvements in product quality, which are reported by some customers to equate with a return on investment period of six months."
He discussed the success of recent 493K installations, illustrating the simplicity of the process with a series of on-site photographs. McDowell told how K-Kontrol and K-Paq were now widely used in the industry to improve production efficiency and reduce costs.
He illustrated energy savings available to K-Kontrol clients, now including machine installations on: Ferry Rotospeed, Polivinil, Caccia, Reinhardt and Alan Yorke Engineering. McDowell said: "493K's systems provide our clients with controls to ensure frugal mould processing, reduced scrap rates for new and existing products, and improvements in product quality, which are reported by some customers to equate with a return on investment period of six months."
Representatives from The Queen's University, Belfast, also presented - giving an overview of the Polymer Processing Research Centre at Queen's University. They discussed an excellent portfolio of equipment, ranging from a Rotospeed 160 rotomoulding machine to advanced polymer analysis equipment. Mr Mark Kearns illustrated the capacity of QUB's plastics programmes, many of which are available for the rotomoulding industry to avail of. He explained that the PPRC has been realising its role as an industrial support unit, offering short-term contract, and troubleshooting service for companies worldwide. You can contact Mark Kearns directly on tel: +44 (0)28 90 97 47 11; fax: +44 (0)28 90 66 06 31; m.kearns@qub.ac.uk. You can also find further information at the website www.qub.ac.uk/pprc
MICROMELT is a 3 year development project funded by the European Commissions Framework Program 6, to benefit particularly SMEs in the manufacturing sector.
The objectives of the Micromelt project are to significantly reduce the energy used in heating and cooling during the rotational moulding process, through an innovative microwave heating and water cooling process. The project also aims to improve the surface finish of mouldings and increase the scope for use of alternative materials. To find out more about the project you can contact Andy Dean directly on Tel: + 44 1664 501501 Fax + 44 1664 501589 or email andy.dean@pera.com. You can also find further information at their website: www.pera.com
BPF representatives also explained how its 'Rotomolding Group' could help to enhance manufacturer's product value, and how it can assist its wider membership. The event created an opportunity to suggest useful discussion points for the group's next meeting, such as to review issues under the umbrella theme of troubleshooting practical issues on the factory floor, and the reduction of energy costs.
Anthony Roberts is the BPF contact for the Rotamoulding Group, and takes care of the Group's administration, meetings and issues management. To find out more about the group or how you can join you can contact Anthony at aroberts@bpf.co.uk or click here to take you to the BPF website or tel 020 7457 5000, fax 020 7457 5045.
Jim Crouch has been appointed Business Development Manager with 493K Limited, the United Kingdom based rotational moulding solutions provider. Previously, Jim worked in machine sales with several major rotational moulding machine manufacturers. His global experience within the roto-moulding industry has led Jim to work closely with clients in Eastern and Western Europe, Scandinavia, Africa and the Middle East.
Sales and Marketing Expertise
Having trained as an engineer and qualifying in 'Mechanical and Production Engineering', he has played an active role in the British Plastics Federation, specifically in the UK Roto-moulders Group. Jim joined the rotational moulding fraternity in 1988, providing marketing expertise, and sales support, for machines and ancillary equipment to the rotational moulding Industry. Prior to this, Jim supplied capital equipment sales with a company manufacturing a range of powder and materials handling, conveying and weighing systems. In general, he worked with large corporations, negotiating at senior technical and commercial levels. His client base included Dalgety, Spillers, ICI, Unilever, British Gas, Proctor and Gamble and the Body Shop.
Integrated Support
Jim Crouch was welcomed by Gareth McDowell, 493K's Managing Director. Gareth said: "Appointing Jim as Business Development Manager is the next step in the provision of 493K's customer service plan. We are committed to ensuring the highest level of integrated support, from the moment we receive a sales query to the full installation of our products. Jim's expertise adds further strength to 493K's sales team and after sales customer service."
You can contact Jim at jim.crouch@493k.com or tel 07795036863.
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