it’s all about uptime

Published: 25th September 2009 | Issue 6 Share article:

Most people probably know Induchem best as a specialised distributor of Crane Group products - especially Xomox process valves and Resistoflex plastic lined pipe and fittings.

It’s certainly true that the exclusive UK supply of these high quality, market-leading ranges - together with nationwide support by trained and experienced technicians - make up an important part of Induchem’s successful and growing operation.

But there’s far more to the company than many realise - with an extensive product range, ISO9001 accreditation, a 10,000 sq ft dedicated service centre, on-site servicing and repair facilities, and a geographical reach that now extends into Europe and as far as Singapore through regular involvement in global OEM sourcing and development projects with leading front-end design houses.

The service ethos of the business is driven by the issues that are important to its customers, as General Manager Jeff Brown explains. "We look after the needs of some major global companies - such as BASF, Ineos, Rhodia and Dow Corning in the chemical sector, Glaxo SmithKline, Novartis and Pfizer in the pharmaceutical industry, McCain in food, BNFL in nuclear, and Imerys and British Salt in the field of minerals."

"We recognise that the cost of downtime in our customers’ operations can quickly escalate to exceed the value of anything we supply – so it’s all about maximising productive uptime through product quality and performance in process applications, as well as ensuring our business reliability and speed of service."

This regularly involves 24 hour working, and a same day service where valves are collected, refurbished and re-supplied with a new warranty. "We’re not afraid of working weekends," says Jeff. "We were recently called by a customer on a Sunday morning to help cope with a production crisis. We brought people in, produced a new spool, and they were able to collect it on Sunday afternoon."

Combined experience

Depth of experience is one of the keys to being able to react so flexibly. The top five people in the company have over a hundred years of combined experience in valves, pipeline and actuators for process applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical markets. They’re also able to draw on the twenty five years of expertise, financial strength and purchasing power of the Induchem group, based in Cork, southern Ireland.

Another key factor - and one that differentiates Induchem from others in the market - is exclusivity. "We believe in the products we sell," says Jeff. "We believe they’re the best. So we’re as selective about our suppliers as they are about their distributors. This means that the products and services we provide are exclusive to us as a company, and validated both ways." As a result, Induchem holds over twenty exclusive agency agreements with many of the world’s leading process equipment manufacturers. They also carry an extensive range of stock to meet urgent needs and help facilitate the continuous process needs of their clients.

Induchem’s wide and growing portfolio extends from process valves and pipeline equipment to lined valves and piping systems, instrumentation and pressure protection, hygenic and purity products, and solids and powder handling.

Key products in the Crane range include Resistoflex lined pipe and fittings, and Xomox PTFE sleeved plug valves - tight seal process valves for use in safety-critical and corrosive applications in the chemical industry.

For plant steam and thermal applications, Induchem has recently developed a relationship with Ari Armaturen to supply boilerhouse and pressure control equipment, pipeline and control products, steam traps and isolation valves.

Powder handling products include ball segment valves with inflatable seal, spherical disc valves, and polished and split-body butterfly valves. For many other general applications, customers have access to wafer check valves, strainers, pressure relief valves, gate valves, and a full range of butterfly valves including high performance, lined and resilient-seated.

Successful projects

This extensive portfolio is backed by a range of professional services - often starting with pre-launch and production planning to ensure successful project management. Induchem engineers regularly assist with the interpretation of isometrics, and offer suggestions to improve layouts and configurations.

Combined valve/actuator packages are bought, configured, assembled, tested and delivered as complete systems. Custom length pipe spools up to 6 metres in size 1" through 8" are manufactured with CE approval and typical turnaround times of 24 hours to site. Fabrication of PTFE/PVDF/PP lined piping and other custom production is also carried out in Induchem’s fully equipped service centre at the company’s owned premises in Congleton, Cheshire - as well as full valve repair, refurbishment and testing.

This location was strategically picked to provide quick and easy access to customers anywhere in the UK. Service engineers work nationally to provide on-site servicing and repair, and offer on-site management to ensure that controls are maintained in the receipt, handling and issue of components to mechanical contractors.

"Performance is key," says Jeff Brown. "We work in a highly specialised and demanding field where precision, sophistication and attention to detail are always required. The combination of our expert people, reliable processes and best-in-class products ensures that our customers get exactly the engineering and technical support they need to achieve the best possible results."

Induchem, Tel: 01260 295413

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