BCAS 2018

Boardroom Report 18 www.bcas.org.uk and air quality cannot be compromised if this model is considered. Buying air alone remains an enigma as it creates many operational and commercial challenges, but enhancements in remote visualisation and monitoring packages are making this option a viable consideration.” Jason Morgan, managing director HPC explains that trends seen within the German Market shows a marked development towards replacing the traditional sale of the compressed air equipment with a service package whereby the customer buys the air produced at agreed rates. The equipment and service is the suppliers responsibility with the customer providing the electricity. However he highlights that the UK market place has a traditional “owner” mentality, and movement towards this model has been slow with minimal uptake. But he says it is raised by customers more and more during compressed air requirement discussions and is likely to be an area of growth with the UK Market. Scott believes that most of the traditional compressors manufactures have been on a transformation journey - developing the capabilities to provide services and solutions that supplement their traditional product offerings, the most obvious ones being; clean-up equipment, pipework and Nitrogen Generation. Developments Over the last 12 months, Morgan, believes there have been moves towards true predictive maintenance as opposed to the traditional time based maintenance schedules. He also highlights the advancement in the control algorithms to monitor both the history of compressed air demand and predict the future demand to ensure the maximum efficiently of the compressed air station, utilising highly intelligent compressor selection, operating optimal speeds and pressures to gain efficiency advantages. Ranger also says that customers have realised the benefits to having real time operational monitoring, both in the compressor room and/or the distribution network. Whereas not too long ago they were reluctant to have such technology looking at their processes. This acceptance has enabled compressor service providers to up their game with faster response times to system events and delivering more ‘first time’ fixes, thanks to real time data measurement. He believes that going forward better predictive maintenance interventions can be foreseen, thus increasing operational sustainability further. Brexit Most manufacturers have moved on from the debate about Brexit actually happening, to the reality that it is clearly going to take place, but the arguments of how to implement it in a way that will ultimately benefit the UK economy are far from clear. David Gillies says we are entering the big unknown. He believes that in some respects Brexit will be positive: “Businesses will invest to remain productive and competitive in markets outside the EU. Businesses dependent on imports may look to manufacture in the UK rather than the unpredictability around exchange rates that impact their bottom line adversely.” However he explains that in the short term, decisions to purchase new equipment are being delayed until the terms or Brexit become clearer unless there is a pre budgeted, pre-planned purchase or a purchase due to an urgent need such as something that will effect production. Ranger also states that uncertainty remains the short term concern, which has been consolidated further following the Government’s reduced majority in the General Election and what effect this will have on their mandate to push through Brexit policy without objection. However he also highlights that the weak Pound has stimulated investment, adding a cautious note by questioning what will happen if (or when) the Pound strengthens again? Maziak comments that Brexit may mean the UK will have to start producing more at home, therefore increased investment/ opportunities could be created. Ultimately though as Ranger concludes, post formal Brexit negotiations in 2019 will provide a better picture of how our manufacturing climate will be effected in the longer term, in the meantime there is likely to be a period of sustained uncertainty.