Pyroban Group

Pyroban is an international group of companies trusted to provide a range of safety critical solutions to some of the most well known global consumer and industrial brands. The explosion proof conversion of forklift trucks for use in hazardous areas is one of Pyroban’s principal activities and this year, the company expects to convert over 800 units.

Leading forklift truck manufacturers authorise Pyroban to convert their latest models for use in manufacturing and storage areas where an explosive atmosphere could occur. Superior safety is critical where the risks are so high for industries including chemical, paint, food, drink, waste, coatings, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, bottled gas and logistics.

With headquarters in West Sussex, UK, Pyroban delivers complex engineering solutions from manufacturing facilities in the UK, the Netherlands, China and Singapore. With the benefit of being part of an organisation on America’s Fortune 500 list, Pyroban offers its customers and their customers the lowest possible risk in high risk industries. Pyroban remains fully independent and by explosion proofing all brands of forklift trucks provides end users with the opportunity to choose their preferred supplier.

Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, what does your role involve day to day? Has your role changed since last year?

As Business Manager for Pyroban’s Industrial Division, my role is global and involves regular contact with Pyroban teams and customers in a variety of industry sectors across the world. I work with my colleagues to supply explosion prevention systems for forklift trucks, pick-ups, lorries, access and cleaning equipment, and as part of a larger team, I support customers with providing hazardous area consultancy, risk assessment, training and various other solutions.

My role involves close co-operation with equipment manufacturers and suppliers that are responsible for supplying and supporting equipment in high risk operations, involving the manufacture, storage and distribution of flammable materials and finished goods. This year my role has evolved with even more international travel as businesses across the world look to increase their levels of safety in line with corporate and global safety requirements.

WLN – ‘2012: how was it for you?’

This year, Pyroban expects to convert over 800 fully explosion proof mobile units as well as provide a large number of Gascheka “added safety” systems for local installation. These are record numbers in a specialist field and highlight the fact that businesses are increasingly focused on the safety of their staff, the security of their supply chain and their brand reputation.

Of course we are under the same cost and price pressures as any business and the cost of safety must remain affordable. However there is also a famous saying that goes “If you think safety is expensive, try having an accident” and the last few years have shown the true cost to industry when explosions occur onshore, offshore, above ground and underground. Pyroban offers unique products and services so industries do not need to take unnecessary risks with their people and facilities.

WLN – What effect did the major snow falls at the end of last year, the lack of summer, and the Olympic Games have on your company?

It’s hard to say if any of these factors had any business effect in our niche sector, however I definitely had a sense of pride on visits to our export markets in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific with the extra attention the UK commanded during the Olympics.

WLN – What is your particular proposition for customers in the warehouse & logistics sector? Has that changed since last year?

The science of an explosion doesn’t change, but the way in which companies operate does and we continue to help minimise risks and liabilities. Pyroban acts as a partner for the users and suppliers of materials handling equipment as businesses try to reduce cost, improve efficiency and above all operate safely.

Our current message is “Get Active”, particularly with 2013 being the tenth anniversary of the ATEX directives and its primary message to business is to eliminate or at least minimize the potential for explosive atmospheres on any site. We can help businesses to take a fresh look at risk assessments and area classification right through to the supply and support of explosion proof equipment, auditing it and training of staff. In our experience, it is often the case that an area is zoned incorrectly; resulting in high costs associated with zone 1 equipment. A correct assessment leading to zone 2 benefits from the lower cost of buying and maintaining Zone 2 “Active” systems, adhering to health and safety standards.

For businesses storing and/or distributing goods that are potentially flammable or explosive we continue to convert all leading brands of forklift trucks, access and cleaning equipment to ensure compliance with European and international regulations.

system6000 “Active” Zone 2 protection continues to be most popular explosion prevention system in the warehouse and logistics sector, highly competitive on price and service costs but now offering the option for infrared gas sensing at no additional cost to distilleries, LPG and aerosol distribution facilities, third party logistic companies and the oil and gas industry.

WLN – How has your business sector (ie pallets, fork lifts etc) been performing in 2012? What do you see as the most important recent developments?

We have had a record year so far with growth contributions from the UK, mainland Europe and in particular Asia and Asia -Pacific. We see that businesses are replacing old equipment with high service costs and increasing safety in areas where previously they had done little or nothing. Just because an area is not formally classified under ATEX, DSEAR etc. there may still be a risk of explosion driving demand for our Gascheka duo systems, particularly into the third party logistics sector.

WLN – You are a major supplier in the industrial vehicles category, what proportion of your business is this? What else can you offer?

The explosion protection of industrial vehicles is a major part of the Pyroban business, but the demand for our explosion protection systems for the oil and gas industries is currently in overdrive. This is almost certainly influenced by the combination of stable oil prices and the tragic consequences from 2010 when an offshore oil rig was destroyed in the Gulf of Mexico costing lives and financial losses estimated in billions.

WLN – Have you moved into any new areas of activity during 2012? How are they doing?

In 2012, Pyroban group began much deeper engagement with the coal mining industry and also started to see significant growth from the businesses it acquired in 2011 including Pyropress, Broadland Radiators and the remaining shares of Adex Zonex (Pyroban Asia Pacific). Continually improving Pyroban’s product portfolio and extending our reach into global markets are the focus of our current business plan so expect to see more developments as we enter the New Year.

WLN – What was your biggest investment to improve your business in 2012? What else did you do?

We are investing in our people and recruiting in all our business areas with continued investment in our premises. We have moved to much larger premises in China and Singapore and made investments at Pyropress in Plymouth where various explosion proof components are manufactured.  We have also invested in larger premises in Cannock in the Midlands and during 2013 have exciting new plans for improving our factories and R&D facilities in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex.

WLN – How are your existing products and services doing?

Many companies are in the process of replacing their current truck fleets so our factories are full and we need to increase our capacity in line with the increased demand. Today our lead times are too long and this matter is currently our priority to resolve. For lower risk applications, often involving the storage and distribution of finished goods, we can offer the increasingly popular Gascheka duo system. Gascheka, together with a robust risk management procedure, allows for the controlled use of material handling equipment in non classified areas. Gascheka duo is used as part of the Statoil safety strategy for all vehicles at the Kollsnes Norway gas processing plant. This particular application was also recently featured on the Discovery Channel and has subsequently created a great deal of interest in our explosion prevention systems.

WLN – Have you launched any new products or services in 2012? What are they, and how are they performing?

system6000 remains the very latest Zone 2 ATEX and internationally compliant system for the explosion protection of forklifts. Launched in Europe last year we are still in the process of informing the market, particularly in Germany, the many benefits of “Active” Zone 2  protection and the importance of having the choice of infrared or pellistor sensing technologies to ensure the most appropriate technology for any given site.

WLN – What’s been your company’s single biggest achievement in business this year?

Hard to highlight one single achievement but instead many successes including explosion proof systems for truck fleets for Diageo, PPG, Akzo, BASF, Brenntag plus many others, combined to give us a record number of conversions this year. We have also completed the explosion protection of large mobile diesel engine cranes for Statoil and supplied a record number of Zone 2 engine power-packs and Gen-Sets for our customers in the oil and gas industries.

WLN – What was your favourite business moment in 2012?

Working with Toyota Australia in securing an order for 28 Zone 2 certified diesel and battery electric trucks for use in a large Melbourne based warehouse complex storing solvent based paints. We were able to offer system6000 “Active” protection improving driver safety, enhanced productivity and considerably reducing their service costs. Logistics firms handling flammable materials are often at risk of explosion unless they are using protected trucks and this was an order from one of Australia’s leading logistics firms. It demonstrates best practice from both the supplier and user and ensures a real case of win-win!

WLN – If you had to go through 2012 again, what would you do differently?

Communicate more with our customers and those needing our expertise to help ensure workers are kept safe and equipment is always ATEX compliant within the many industries we serve. Unfortunately this year we hardly had time to breathe so 2013 will be the year where we fully intend to engage with customers at every opportunity including IMHX and through local safety seminars and newsletters.

WLN – Do you operate in any other countries besides the UK? How are you getting on there? Have you gone into any new countries in 2012? What’s that been like?

The Pyroban business is global with manufacturing bases in the UK, Netherlands, Singapore and China. We recognize that to improve our services to our customers we need to increase our global footprint. With increasing international demand, we have started the process to increase the number of technical centres we have in regions and countries where currently we do not have a presence.

WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in? What applications do people use your (products) for? Have you seen a shift in industry sector demand during this time?

Through our Industrial Division we particularly serve the materials handling industry and their customers in foods and flavours, cosmetics, chemicals, coatings, inks, pharmaceutical, aerosol, waste and third party logistic industries. Typical applications are in manufacturing and storage areas classified as Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 where flammable and combustible material is being handled. We also serve the oil and gas and mining industries with explosion proof engineering solutions for pumps, compressors, cranes, gen-sets, we provide consulting, training and other services. Pyroban technology companies Pyropress and Broadland Radiators also serve customers globally.

WLN – Do you sell your (products) direct or through distributors? Has that strategy changed in the last year?

We sell direct and on a business to business basis with the core of our customers being the manufacturers and distributors of oilfield, mining, material handling and access equipment.

WLN – Have you developed your web site in the last 12 months? What difference do you see it making to your business in 2013?

Alongside the new www.pyroban.com, we have launched a new microsite for system6000 products which helps explain the dangers of using forklift trucks in Zone 2 hazardous areas and demonstrates how to protect workers and a facility from the risk of explosion.

The new site, http://system6000.pyroban.com, features real-time 3D animation showing what happens to a forklift truck when it is converted by Pyroban with system6000, the latest explosion proof technology. We wanted to make it easy for customers to understand what we do.

Interactive 3D animations of a reach truck and a diesel counterbalance forklift truck reveal key elements of system6000 and the technologies that help prevent an explosion including gas detection. The animation helps explain various explosion protection methods such as restricted breathing enclosures, stainless steel cladding of forks and surface temperature cooling to ensure the engine, motors, brakes, electrics and other components remain below the auto-ignition temperatures of flammable materials.

WLN – How do your lead times on orders compare with a year ago?

Our customer survey data has shown that this is one area that needs further improvement. We consider it is of the highest priority and we are currently re-organizing our facilities, improving our processes and benefitting from new resources within our Supply Chain Management team.

WLN – Which trade shows did you exhibit at in 2012? How were they and which shows are you at in 2013?

We exhibited at two oil and gas shows in 2012, OTC in Houston and ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi. Pyroban has a strong presence in the American oil and gas industry likewise in the Middle East and the shows are important events in the oil and gas calendar. The Industrial Division was at CeMAT last year and looks forward to IMHX 2013 where we have the opportunity to showcase our latest ideas and technology.

WLN – Can you tell us about your plans for 2013? Where do you see your company going next year?

We will continue to invest in people and resources so that we get closer to meeting our customer’s expectation. We have ambitious plans for growth written into the Pyroban Group business plan which includes new products and further expansion into global markets.

Technology and regulations continue to evolve and our challenge is to keep on side particularly with the needs for emission control and safety requirements. From next year we will see a clash of technology and regulations with many diesel engine trucks requiring us to accommodate DPF’s but continue to keep exhaust gas temperatures below the auto-ignition temperatures of many gases and solvents. Another challenge is the increasing use of turbocharged diesel engines – the turbo’s on these engines are normally “dry” and therefore always a source of ignition. Developing water-cooled turbo replacements at the same time as maintaining engine and truck performance is something well within Pyroban’s expertise but still a costly and time consuming challenge.

AND FINALLY…

WLN – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

I still enjoy the business travel and the diversity of the people and companies that I work with and serve.  In January I plan to travel to both the US and China demonstrating the global need for information and the availability of our Ex systems. This is a personal business and I enjoy the challenge of engaging with suppliers and purchasing managers to help them appreciate that they can impact on a driver’s safety and the safety of a site. The science of an explosion is so simple but you must also understand and communicate to all stages of the supply chain if you are going to help eliminate risk for drivers handling flammable materials.

WLN – What would you like Father Christmas to bring your company?

All necessary resources to enable Pyroban Group to continue its expansion plans and ambition to make safety affordable for all industries. Also to enable us to continue to provide many employment opportunities at a time when general economic prospects remain limited.

WLN – What are your ambitions for 2013?

To meet and listen to the views of as many customers as possible and to use all feedback to further enhance the thinking of members of our Industrial Division. Also working with my colleagues in Engineering to lead the effort to ensure we educate the market about the importance of not compromising industrial truck standards such as ISO 3691-1:2012 and the impending new EN 1755 truck safety standard when trucks are being made explosion proof. An Ex truck not complying with relevant standards is often a truck that is neither safe nor legal and one to be avoided whatever the cost.

WLN – What are you personally most looking forward to next year?

IMHX March 2013 – the truck industry showcase at its best and the ideal opportunity for buyers to compare technologies, gather information and engage with a multitude of suppliers all keen to offer them the most compelling deal.

WLN – If you won the Jackpot in the EuroMillions what would you do?

Firstly I would secure the financial future of my family. Secondly I would buy Arsenal (my football club) a few world class players – it’s been seven years and counting since we last won anything and the future looks grim!

Pyroban Group Ltd

Tel: 01273 466200

Email: info@pyroban.com   

www.pyroban.com