Hydraulics & Pneumatics January/February 2023

BOARDROOM REPORT Martin Cuthbert, Webtec Products. Vanda Jones, BCAS. of ownership, comprising capital investment and installation at 10%, maintenance at approximately 8% and energy costs making up the largest proportion at 82%. Now, with the global rise in electricity prices, the energy costs of compressed air have increased to as much as 91% of the total cost of ownership, meaning that customers need to re-evaluate the way that they assess their compressed air energy costs. “Total running costs over the last ten years for a 160-kW compressor have more than doubled. Put simply, for every £100,000 spent on compressed air previously, around £82,000 of this was the energy costs. Now, this figure has risen to £91,000 – with energy costs doubling in the past two years alone. The good news is there are numerous high- performing, energy-efficient compressors available on the market, which can help reduce a site’s reliance on electricity considerably.” Stephen Wright, managing director, Thorite, reflects that everything over the past year has been caught up with endless rounds of price increases and supply chain issues. “What are the causes? One would respond ‘all of the above’,” he says. “Whilst there are still impacts from Brexit, most of the issues are built around the supply difficulties associated with coming out of COVID, especially anything involving China, and the effect of the Ukraine war. It’s a bit like a leaky bucket – you fix one leak, and another leak starts. Lead times have gone up dramatically and we are being quoted six, nine and even 12 months on some products. It feels like we’re going back to the dark ages of the 60s and 70s! I think the whole sector is focused on fixing this, but the target continues to move.” Semiconductor shortage From the perspective of Steve Schofield, director and chief executive, British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA), there are many challenges in play today, from skill shortages to the ever-increasing price of energy. “However, the COVID pandemic broke down long-standing supply chains and has caused huge shortages of various materials and components used in the manufacture of pumps and their related equipment,” he says. “This is particularly evident in the global shortage of semiconductor chips, which are frequently used nowadays in the electrical components that control pumps. Prices have risen across all sectors and after many years of stagnant or reducing price levels we are finding many of our members are having to increase prices. In some cases, we’ve even witnessed several price-rises within a 12-month period, due to the ongoing increase in component parts.” Schofield adds that importing and exporting has proven a challenge for Full-time Sales Administrator Required REQUIREMENTS & EXPERIENCE ★ The ideal candidate would ideally have a minimum of 5 Years’ experience working in a Sales Office Environment. ★ The ideal candidate would have worked within the Hydraulic Hose Industry for a minimum of 3 Years. ★ Able to use Word and Excel would be an advantage. KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES ★ Answer incoming calls and process customer enquiries and orders. ★ Process enquiries received by email and fax. ★ Process enquiries and orders taken at our Trade Counter. ★ Process enquiries & orders received via the new Webshop platform. ★ Pro- actively promote the current product campaign/product promotion. ★ Assist with the processing of the company perpetual stock takes. Excellent salary for the right candidate & entry into the company pension scheme 22 days holiday + statutory holidays Email a covering letter & CV to bryan.leavesley@ehrco.ltd.uk Ehrco Ltd. Unit H, Peartree Business Park, Crackley Way, Peartree Lane Dudley West Midlands DY2 0UW for the full picture visit www.twisterflex.com APPOINTMENT