2011 Winners

2011 Pump Industry Awards Winners

Technical Innovation of the Year – Products
Sponsored by World Pumps

Variable Speed Drive with Sludge Pump Control, ABB
Reactive Pump Control for Sludge Pumps is a patented control system for primary settlement tank sludge pumps. It is a non-intrusive technique that senses the viscosity of sludge using an internal algorithm. Reactive Pump Control uses a diaphragm pump, a low voltage AC variable speed drive and specially designed algorithm to achieve flow control demanded by sludge pumps. Nothing else in the marketplace achieves the operational expenditure savings that this attains, whilst drawing off sludge at 4 percent solids.

Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects
Sponsored by Process Industry Informer

Evaporative Flash Cooling of Soreen Malt Loaf, Sterling Fluid Systems
“The Sterling-SIHI team were selected, after a thorough evaluation process.  Their team demonstrated a far-superior process knowledge, flexibility, and creative design thinking.   Soreen’s method of vacuum cooling is unique, and an essential part of enhanced production.  Consequently, a bespoke system was necessary; and the Sterling-SIHI solution proved to be one of true ingenuity. [Sterling-SIHI] has delivered a system that achieves far more than was initially promised.”  Paul Tripp – Managing Director, Soreen Bakery.

Environmental Contribution of the Year
Sponsored by WEG Electric Motors

PumpDrive and PumpMeter, KSB Limited
PumpMeter continuously analyses your pump’s operating data and establishes its energy saving potential.  When the energy efficiency icon is shown it indicates your pump could benefit from measures to save energy.  Employing the PumpDrive variable speed system might be an appropriate option. Retrofitting PumpDrive is straightforward as PumpMeter provides all parameters needed to employ PumpDrive. Enhanced with PumpDrive, a pump is turned into an intelligent, variable speed pumping system, ideal for both single pump operation and multiple pump configurations with up to six pumps.

Manufacturer of the Year
Sponsored John Crane

Wilo UK
Wilo UK offers a wide range of pumps for all applications, from small domestic circulators to large commercial pumps and pumping systems. These include pumps for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, water supply and sewage pumps and lifting plants – their range is massive. Wilo UK also provides a comprehensive servicing capability. Its success has been built squarely on providing exceptional quality, highly reliable products, leading edge technology and customer care that’s second to none.

Comment from Gary Mannus, Managing Director, Wilo UK: “It’s always good to be recognised for getting things right and I believe these awards do just that,” he said. “We’ve had an excellent couple of years, building the brand in the UK marketplace, investing significantly in our operation, expanding the team and getting out there talking to customers and responding to their needs. I’ve had an exciting time since I joined the business back in 2009 and we have detailed plans of how we intend to build on the successes this far and take the Wilo brand on to another level in the years ahead. These awards are very important to us and winning has had a massively positive effect on the team – we all like to be associated with success and our employees get a buzz from working for a company that wins awards. We enjoyed the awards evening and of course winning this award was the icing on the cake. We look forward to being involved again next year.”

Distributor of the Year
Sponsored by ITT Goulds Pumps

Tomlinson Hall & Co
Established in 1919 Tomlinson Hall started life as a general engineering company and progressively over almost a century have developed into an organisation which is now internationally recognised as one of Britain’s most respected Pump Distributors. Founder members of the PDA, and awarded BPMA UK Pump Distributor of the year 2009/10. Development on the domestic and international markets can be attributed to excellent business relationships with a number of our principals, Crane ChemPharma Flow Solutions with Depa and Elro Pumps, Alfa Laval & Flowserve. We are also pleased to announce a new sole distributorship agreement for the UK in 2011 with Richter Process Pumps.

Comment from Colin Simpson, Tomlinson Hall & Co Ltd Sales Director: To win the Distibutor of the Year award once is a great honour and boost to us all, but to win it in consecutive years is just fantastic, especially when we have been judged by our peers in the industry. It’s a terrific evening which we would have enjoyed with our guests whether we’d won anything or not, but the award obviously made it even more enjoyable, not only for ourselves and all our staff, but also for our clients and customers who naturally enjoy the success. We celebrated our 90th anniversary in 2009 and the success we‘ve enjoyed in a harsh economic climate in the intervening two years has given a tremendous boost to everyone connected with the company. The award is a tremendous accolade and acknowledgement to the levels of service we deliver and we are extremely grateful to everyone connected with the decision.

Supplier of the Year
Sponsored by Sterling Fluid Systems

WEG Electric Motors
As one of the world leading electric motor and drive manufacturers, WEG supply turnkey automation systems to control some of the most prestigious clean water, and waste water projects in the world. The W22 range of electric motors can meet all global efficiency requirements including the European IE1, IE2 and IE3 standards. WEG is one of the only motor manufacturers in the world able to offer the complete range from 0.12Kw up to 355Kw in standard IEC frame sizes. The operation of these energy saving motors is further optimised with WEG’s inverter drives, which can save up to 50% in running costs in some pumping applications. For example, WEG’s new CFW-08 Multi-pump AC drive saves substantial amounts of energy, by allowing the control of up to four pumps from one variable frequency drive (VFD).

Engineer of the Year
Sponsored by SPP Pumps

Gavin Miller, CLYDEUNION Pumps
Gavin Miller is engaged in engineering design on powerstation feed pumps. This is a complex role and Gavin has personally led several major projects. Gavin’s work has been recognised by his customers and has received commendation from their engineering teams and, perhaps more tellingly, by CUP winning significant additional orders from these same customers later in the year. Gavin continues the good work on a cutting edge concentrated solar power plant.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by BPMA

David Seymour, Grundfos Pump
This year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award entered the pump industry as an apprentice engineer in September 1965. Since those days of belt driven pumps there has been a myriad of developments in pump engineering, motor production, the integration of functionalities and perhaps the most influencing factor of all – the understanding of pumps as energy consumers. Throughout this period and at the forefront of these changes – indeed carrying the baton at many crucial points – were a few men who have stayed the course and have not just weathered the changes, but have been instrumental in driving key aspects of that change. David has many attributes that make him stand out as a great manager, colleague, mentor and ambassador for the industry. His traits include his attention to detail, tons of commitment, as well as a real knack of being able to decode complex technical issues to a non-technical audience in a way that allows them to gain sufficient understanding to move them on to the next stage.  An important trait when dealing with the many official bodies he has contact with. Today because of his knowledge and expertise he is known to those who work with him as “Doctor Pump” but he is also known throughout the industry as Mr Reliable.

Comment from David: “Winning this years Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent PIA ceremony came as a huge surprise – as I had no idea I was even in the frame.  I was particularly delighted with the recognition this award brings as, in my view there is no greater accolade than to be recognised by your peers.  I will remember and treasure that moment when my name was announced forever”.