Controlled in fluid solutions

CONTROLLED IN

FLUID SOLUTIONS

Fluid Automation Systems has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Abigail Saltmarsh finds out more about the company that is a leader in fluid control solutions.

From its base in Geneva, Fluid Automation Systems (FAS) is determined to continue on its path of growth and innovation. Ronan de Seroux, CEO of the company, says it is looking for organic growth through the introduction of new products and a focus on a leaner operation.

“We are targeting double-digit growth over the next three to four years,” he says. “We will do this through the introduction of new products, finding new capacity and upgrading our production facilities. Life sciences look set to be a growth area for us, as does the rail sector. China is a market that holds great potential, as well as the USA, particularly in rail.”

Since 2004, FAS has been part of the IMI Norgren group. This is a global engineering group focused on the precise control and movement of fluids in critical applications.

It works with leading international companies in more than 50 countries to deliver innovative engineering solutions and to address global trends such as clean energy, energy efficiency, healthcare and increasing automation.

Since FAS was founded in 1971, it has evolved and expanded steadily, and its continuous improvement has been recognised with a number of accreditations (ISO, INERIS, UL, VDE, SSIG). It has also built a reputation as a pioneering and innovative company with a passion for achieving excellence in sophisticated technologies.

A leader in the market

With an impressive record in high technology, FAS is a recognised leader in fluid control solutions, specialising in miniature solenoid valve technology and microfluidics. The majority of its sales serve 10mm and 15mm size applications.

This represents an excellent fit with Norgren’s existing solenoid capabilities, complementing the larger sizes offered by its established Webber, Buschjost and KIP ranges.

“FAS is a global leader in its field,” says Mr de Seroux. “Our core sector is life sciences and then the rest are for industrial applications. We have some key developments in process at the moment, such as a new high flow proportional valve. We have also had new products on the market this year that are typically for the life sciences markets and which are particularly exciting as we have no competitors.”

Meeting their needs

FAS develops solenoid valves for the entire automation industry for which its products offer a wide range of applications. The company can also design and develop special products to meet a customer’s specific requirements.

Fields covered include assembling machinery, robots, EDM (electric discharge machines), heating installations and burners, packaging, folding machines, adhesive applicators, gumming, laser technology, optical sorting machines and photolithography. It also offers products for presses, rolling stock applications, semiconductor production, semicon mass flow controllers, SMD pick and place and vacuum technology.

Mr de Seroux explains that FAS has four bases – in Geneva, Lausanne, Milan and Germany. “Our sites in Germany and Italy are for distribution only,” he explains.

“At Lausanne, we manufacture largely for the medical and industrial sector. In Geneva, we have our research and development, as well as our technical facilities.”

There are no plans for any new production facilities but there is additional capacity within the manufacturing facilities in Switzerland.

“Life sciences continue to grow for us and we can see there could be increasing demand,” he says. “The rail sector is also becoming more and more important. We have been building relations with them – with companies that build trains and braking systems for rail applications – and expect expansion in that area over the next few years.”

Looking to the future

Looking ahead, says Mr de Seroux, growth in Europe is likely to be steady for FAS but the markets of China and the USA could see more rapid movement.

“As we move forward, we will be pushing ahead with our product development as well,” he adds. “Our objective within the next two to three years is to be introducing about three new products every year. We also want to become a much leaner operation. We are starting to move in that direction already but we still have some way to go.” n