June 2021

NEWS Oilgear, the US-based specialist pump and valve manufacturer, and the Fluidpower Group, the UK hydraulic distributor, have formed a strategic alliance aimed at generating significant growth of Oilgear products across the UK and Europe. Chris Howie, Oilgear vice president, says: “As part of our strategic development, we have been seeking the right partner in the UK for some time. We have been monitoring the progress of the Fluidpower Group over the past couple of years and have been impressed with their progress. However, the overall attraction of the Fluidpower Group was multi-faceted and included their ability to provide full customer support across the UK and Ireland, together with a European footprint, their strong management structure and financial stability, and their depth of engineering capabilities.” Solid foundation Nick Fossey, COO of the Fluidpower Group, comments: “We are extremely proud to have secured this agreement with Oilgear. Our experienced team of application engineers perfectly complement Oilgear’s high-end technical products and, coupled with our experience in major civil projects, servicing and installations, provide a solid foundation for a prosperous strategic relationship and improve our offer to our customers. “The Oilgear agreement strengthens our Group product portfolio, enhancing to our ability to provide the correct engineering solution in any application. As part of this agreement, we are committed to holding significant stocks to support existing and new customer requirements.” Oilgear is a well-known global brand synonymous with high-quality products, suitable for applications in the harshest of environments, such as subsea, steel production, aerospace, construction, civil engineering, quarrying, offshore and marine. Oilgear and the Fluidpower Group form strategic distribution agreement 8 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS June 2021 www.hpmag.co.uk In keeping with the ongoing commitment to serve the best interests of their respective members, as well as the wider industry sectors in which they operate, the British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA) and the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) have signed a Mutual Co-operation Agreement. The agreement covers a range of collaborative ideas and opportunities, primarily geared around the development of improved skills and enhanced technology understanding across the industrial and engineering arena. It will allow both parties to explore additional content to strengthen their existing range of training courses. Working on possible compliance and legislative related issues and other factors within the repair and maintenance of pumps and motors will also form a key part of the arrangement. Boasting similar longevity and heritage, the two bodies have shared many similar interests over the years, and increasingly so around international standards and energy use reduction measures. However, during recent high-level discussions regarding the new ‘Pump Repair and Maintenance’ training course which the BPMA has developed, it became evident that further opportunities existed for the potential benefit of both memberships, and the market at large. Clear synergies Dave Hawley, AEMT president, says: “There are clear synergies between our two organisations, including some cross-over of membership, and so I am thrilled to have this agreement in place and excited by the potential activities that the collaboration could deliver.” Richard Harden, BPMA president, adds: “Our two associations have been serving the engineering arena for many years and have developed vast experience in their respective disciplines. But by forging closer links and a more collaborative approach to certain activities, we can perhaps better harvest that expertise for mutual benefit and reward.” The agreement comes into operation with immediate effect and paves the way for more structured dialogue between the various working groups within each organisation. BPMA and AEMT sign Mutual Co-operation deal Chris Howie: “The overall attraction of the Fluidpower Group was multi-faceted and included their ability to provide full customer support across the UK and Ireland.” Nick Fossey: “The Oilgear agreement strengthens our Group product portfolio, enhancing to our ability to provide the correct engineering solution in any application.”