ENGINEERING FOR THE FUTURE ENGINEERING FOR THE FUTURE

In everything we do, we never lose sight of what is more important to our customers: to work economically with a technology that is modern, innovative and reliable.

In everything we do, we never lose sight of what is more important to our customers: to work economically with a technology that is modern, innovative and reliable.

As the inventor of the elastomer-coated rotary lobe pump and innovation driver in the field of pumping, grinding and disintegration technology, Vogelsang has been one of the world’s leading mechanical engineering companies for decades. With progressive concepts and sophisticated technology, such as the RotaCut macerator or the wastewater twinshaft grinder XRipper, we work daily on efficient solutions for the individual applications of our customers.

As the inventor of the elastomer-coated rotary lobe pump and innovation driver in the field of pumping, grinding and disintegration technology, Vogelsang has been one of the world’s leading mechanical engineering companies for decades. With progressive concepts and sophisticated technology, such as the RotaCut macerator or the wastewater twinshaft grinder XRipper, we work daily on efficient solutions for the individual applications of our customers.

We use our extensive know-how, the continuous further development of our technical solutions and our many years of experience in the field of environmental technology to support our customers as a competent partner. Among other things, with powerful and service-friendly technology. You can rely on competent and personal advice and reliable service.

We use our extensive know-how, the continuous further development of our technical solutions and our many years of experience in the field of environmental technology to support our customers as a competent partner. Among other things, with powerful and service-friendly technology. You can rely on competent and personal advice and reliable service.

VOGELSANG – LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY

VOGELSANG – LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY

Unit 2/7 Dunn Road | Smeaton Grange NSW 2567 | Australia

Unit 2/7 Dunn Road | Smeaton Grange NSW 2567 | Australia

Phone: +61 2 4647 8511 | E-mail: sales.au@vogelsang.info vogelsang.info

Phone: +61 2 4647 8511 | E-mail: sales.au@vogelsang.info vogelsang.info

Pump Industry Australia Incorporated

C/-340, Stuarts Point Road

Yarrahapinni NSW 2441 Australia

Ph/Fax: (02) 6569 0160 pumpsaustralia@bigpond.com www.pumps.org.au

PIA Executive Council 2023

John Inkster – President Brown Brothers Engineers

James Blannin – Vice President De.mem – Stevco

Kevin Wilson – Treasury/Secretary Executive Officer

Alan Rowan – Councillor Executive Officer – Publications and Training, Life Member

Ken Kugler Executive Officer – Standards, Life Member

Steve Bosnar – Councillor

Franklin Electric/Pioneer Pumps

Geoff Harvey – Councillor Irrigation Australia

Joel Neideck – Councillor

TDA Pumps

Jamie Oliver – Councillor Grundfos Pumps

Mat Arnett – Councillor

Ebara Pumps

Michael Wooley – Councillor

Tsurumi Pumps

Billie Tan – Councillor Regent Pumps

Hello all and welcome to the Autumn edition of Pump Industry Magazine and our second for 2023.

After enduring the very high summer temperatures across the nation I am sure you are all welcoming the cooler temperatures of Autumn.

As we head into April we may well wonder what the year ahead looks like with both global and domestic markets at play. Sadly, the war in Ukraine continues now into a second year with no end in sight, impacting on energy costs around the globe. I was in the Netherlands in December and was surprised to experience power cuts in the middle of the night which were considered normal.

The recent collapse and fall out of the three banks in the US will have a ripple effect around the globe but we are told should have minimal effect in Australia. Time will tell if there is any spill over into the Australian economy.

On the domestic front, we continue to see the RBA increase the cash rate in an endeavour to address inflation. At the time of writing, the RBA was signalling it might pause a further rate rise in April. Meanwhile the continued robustness of the Australian economy is reflected in the low unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent.

When I speak with industry colleagues I hear that there is still a strong demand for pumps and services with many indicating they have a full pipeline of work for the next six plus months; this pipeline of work ranges across the entire spectrum of our industry from mining to building services, agriculture, industrial, municipal and energy sectors.

This is good to hear and augurs well for the industry, because we all know there may well be a slow down in the economy in the coming months. It also demonstrates that our industry provides an essential service to Australian businesses whether in the private sector or in the municipal and public health arena.

For those involved in the $90 billion (predicted for 2023) agriculture market the BoM advises that the third consecutive La Nina weather pattern that brought wet conditions and devastating floods on the eastern seaboard is declared over, with a 50 per cent chance of El Nino occurring mid year bringing with it warmer, drier weather.

On 8 March, we had our first Breakfast Meeting, kindly sponsored by Cummins South Pacific in Scoresby who provided a warm welcome with breakfast, coffee and tea, and attended by about 24 Members.

The aim is having a Breakfast Meeting in each of the states so if you or your company would like to host a Meeting, please get in touch with our Secretary, Kevin Wilson, at pumpsaustralia@ bigpond.com.

An ongoing topic of the utmost importance to PIA Members and pump companies at large is the continuing dialogue with the Services Trade Council (STC) who govern the QBCC’s licensing of plumbing and drainage tradespeople.

On our behalf, the QBCC has petitioned the STC to consider recognising pump industry practitioners to lawfully perform work on pumps installed as part of a plumbing or drainage system as defined by the PD Act 2018

We understand to achieve this we may have to meet certain criteria as set out by the STC, and the outcome may well be some form of concession, regulatory change, new legislation, or the creation of a new Pump Service Licence.

Our last communication with QBCC was on 20 February where we were advised that our request for more information had been passed on to the Chair of the STC. We understand the STC is preparing a report to go to the Minister of Energy and Public Works; we are seeking clarification of the STC’s position.

Ken Kugler, our standards officer, has been busy in recent months engaged in the review of numerous ISO standards. These reviews relate to the question as to whether to confirm, review or withdraw a standard that is now aged. Of particular interest was ISO 9906:2012, the pump test standard that Australia accepted to be known as AS ISO 9906:2018. As the standard is now some ten plus years old, PIA has recommended its review.

Also under consideration is the most common pump standard ISO2858:1975 for 16 bar end suction pump designation, duty point and dimensions as pumps to this standard are still being manufactured in Australia today. There was a mixed response with the majority in favour of reconfirming.

And just another reminder to you all that the Pipe Friction Handbook has been updated and that the 6th Edition of the Pump Technical Handbook was released in September with 40 per cent more content – a must have on your desk or library.

Thank you for your continued support of Pump Industry Australia.

John Inkster – President

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