President’s Foreword A heartfelt welcome to the 2025 edition of the BFPA Yearbook & Members’ Directory. As we enter 2025, the market conditions in the UK present a mixed landscape for businesses across various sectors. The economy is gradually recovering from the impacts of previous global disruptions, with signs of growth in manufacturing and construction. However, challenges remain, including inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions that continue to affect operational costs and product availability. I am incredibly privileged to have been elected as the president of the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA). This role carries with it a responsibility and an exciting opportunity to lead our industry into a future defined by innovation and collaboration. I would like to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members and staff at the BFPA for their hard work and dedication. Your commitment and efforts have laid the foundation for our association’s success and have made this opportunity possible for me. One of my core ambitions as president is to ensure that our association is at the forefront of advocating for all companies within the fluid power sector while also focusing on the future of our industry. We need an organisation that cares for its history and looks to the future, embracing the change and new world around us. I am also very passionate about engaging with the next generation of fluid power experts so they feel proud to be part of our industry and feel it is a great career. The world of fluid power: Embracing AI for a future-ready industry Fluid power, encompassing both hydraulics and pneumatics, plays a pivotal role in modern industrial applications. From manufacturing to mobile machinery, fluid power systems are integral to the operation of countless machines, providing the force needed to perform tasks efficiently and reliably. As we stand on the brink of a technological revolution, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the fluid power sector promises to reshape the industry in unprecedented ways. AI is already making waves across various sectors, and fluid power is no exception. The convergence of AI with fluid power technology is set to enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve predictive maintenance. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and data analytics, companies can gain valuable insights into the performance of their fluid power systems. This enables them to pre-emptively identify potential failures, optimise system performance, and ultimately reduce costs. One of the most significant impacts of AI in fluid power will be the advancement of smart systems. These systems can autonomously monitor fluid levels, pressure, and temperature, adjusting their operations in real-time to ensure optimal performance. For example, AI-driven hydraulic systems can adapt to changing load conditions, optimising energy consumption and improving overall efficiency. This not only enhances productivity but also contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing waste and energy consumption. The engineers of tomorrow As the president of the BFPA, I am committed to ensuring that our association is not only a voice for the current players in the fluid power industry but also a beacon for the next generation of professionals. The younger generations are essential to the industry’s growth and evolution, and it is our duty to foster their engagement and participation. We must create pathways for them to enter the industry, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. To achieve this, we must focus on education and training initiatives that emphasise the importance of AI and digital technologies in fluid power. Collaborating with educational institutions and industry partners, we can develop programs that equip young professionals with the skills they need to harness the power of AI in their future careers. By promoting awareness of the exciting possibilities that AI brings to fluid power, we can inspire the next generation to embrace innovation and contribute to the industry’s future. Moreover, as we navigate this technological shift, it is crucial for our association to remain agile and adaptable. We must actively engage with our members to understand their needs and challenges in implementing AI technologies. By fostering an open dialogue, we can identify best practices, share success stories, and collectively address any obstacles that may arise. This collaborative approach will ensure that we are not only representing the interests of established companies but also empowering emerging players in the Together we can build a future-ready association www.bfpa.co.uk 3 Swapnil Khedekar, BFPA President.
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