Industry news

Quartzelec to supply AmericaN chemical plant

FOLLOWING AN EXTENDED tendering process, Quartzelec’s Rugby Rotating Machine Services business has been awarded a contract to manufacture and supply a spare main loop compressor motor for a chemical plant in the USA.

The new machine is from the company’s UNIPAK ‘heritage’ range of cage induction motors, rated at 7,000HP, on frame size CC710U2000 and will run on the local industrial 13.2kV, 60Hz supply.

The motor is required to be air-cooled via a NEMA WP-II enclosure with side-mounted filtration units fitted to reduce the ingress of any small particles into the motor’s internal air circuit.

The design engineers based in Rugby, UK, have extensive experience in enhancing, updating and modifying original machine specifications and, for this particular machine, were able to update and adapt the air-filter design allowing the filters to be easily removed and replaced whilst the motor is in operation – which will result in significantly reduced downtime and lower ongoing maintenance costs for the client.

The compressor motor build is in progress, with the delivery of the new motor scheduled later this year.

SMALLER BUSINESSES DON’T UNDERSTAND ‘CARBON JARGON’, RESEARCH REVEALS

ALMOST THREE IN FOUR (74%) smaller businesses don’t understand how the term ‘net-zero’ applies to them.

According to new research commissioned by the British Business Bank, the majority of smaller businesses in the UK don’t understand how common environmental terms such as ‘net zero’, ‘carbon neutral’ and ‘carbon footprint’ apply to their businesses.

The Opinium survey of 1,000 senior decisionmakers in smaller businesses found that more than half (54%) believe the language, terminology, and information around reducing carbon emissions is overcomplex.

Over three-in-five (61%) say they would find more information and advice about taking action to measure and reduce their business’ carbon emissions helpful, with over half (53%) of those wanting advice on measuring their business’ carbon footprint and a similar proportion (51%) wanting information to help work out if reducing carbon emissions makes financial sense for their business.

Nearly half (44%) of those surveyed don’t know where to get information on reducing their carbon emissions and how best to approach related commercial or financial opportunities.

The British Business Bank’s recently launched #GreenToGrow campaign aims to demystify and alert smaller businesses to the commercial benefits of investing in decarbonisation. Resources include a new ‘Green Decoder’, an online guide co-created with Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University to help smaller businesses decipher the terminology surrounding decarbonisation.

The British Business Bank’s online Finance Hub also provides a series of guides and information about sustainability issues and how smaller

businesses can start their journey towards net zero.

Terms often misunderstood by businesses include: 1. Greenhouse gas emissions 2. Decarbonisation 3. Net-zero 4. Carbon neutral 5. Carbon footprint

Shanika Amarasekara, Chief Impact Officer at British Business Bank, said: “Smaller businesses are far too often put off by the over-complex ‘carbon jargon’ that comes with reducing emissions. By helping decipher some of the terminology around decarbonisation, the British Business Bank hopes to show smaller businesses that simple, incremental changes, such as switching off equipment when not in use, can make a difference in their net-zero transition. “This will become an increasingly important businesses requirement. Given that many consumers now consider sustainability when they make a purchase, by becoming greener, smaller businesses can enhance their competitive edge and expand their customer base.” Dr Muhammad Mazhar, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, commented: “Smaller businesses are key to our economy and have a significant carbon emissions impact. They can act as agents for change to meet the UK government’s netzero targets. Most smaller businesses are at the initial stage of their carbon management journey and will benefit from the support provided through the British Business Bank’s #GreenToGrow campaign. Smaller businesses have been overlooked in the past, and this is changing. The business case for carbon management is stronger than ever, and smaller businesses have an opportunity to act now to remain competitive.”

IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY EMIR GOES

THREE YEARS AFTER IT LAST welcomed customers and industry representatives to its popular open day, EMiR, a specialist in software and IT solutions for the electro-mechanical repair, sales and service industry, is hosting a gathering at the Silverstone Interactive Museum on May 12, 2022.

During the Covid-enforced threeyear gap since the last EMiR open day, there have been plenty of exciting new developments as the solution constantly evolves to meet the developing needs of users. In a packed and informative morning, visitors will be able to find out about all the latest additions and enhancements to the EMiR platform, plus gain sneak previews of what’s to come in the company’s product roadmap.

Then in the afternoon, visitors will be able to delve into the history of Silverstone, the home of British Motor Racing. An exciting tour of the interactive Silverstone Museum will include the grid lineup, interactive displays, bikes, cars, memorabilia and a 3D experience of the ultimate lap. And those who registered early enough will be able to take to the track in one of four Formula 1 simulators. They will be up against other attendees to record the best lap time, with industry bragging rights as the ultimate prize.

Places are limited, and anyone interested in attending should contact the EMiR team via the company website.

www.solutionsinit.com

NEW MOTOR PLANT FOR MENZEL ELEKTROMOTOREN

MENZEL ELEKTROMOTOREN HAS signed the construction contract for a new, larger motor plant in Hennigsdorf, near Berlin. The manufacturer has experienced substantial growth in recent years and has outgrown its present headquarters in central Berlin. “Our new location will feature state-of-the-art machinery, efficient logistics, larger hoist capacities for optimised production processes and high energy efficiency,” said CEO, Mathis Menzel, on the occasion of the signing of the contract. “We will also expand our team and create around 100 new jobs in production and administration in the medium term.”

The new site offers optimal conditions for the planned growth with a gross floor area of around 8500m², which will accommodate a motor plant with production, testing and storage areas, and offices. The extensive plot allows for flexible expansion to meet future growth requirements. Construction starts in the summer of 2022, with final acceptance scheduled for August 2023.

The Vollack Group, an expert in methodical building conception, will

Left to right: Cornelia Uhlig, Commercial Manager and Matthias Jordt, Partner and Project Supervisor, both of Vollack GmbH & Co. KG, Dirk Achhammer, Commercial Director and Paul Bernhardt, Business Unit Manager and Construction Project Supervisor, both of Menzel Elektromotoren GmbH.

oversee planning and construction. Thanks to resource-saving building technology with heat generation from the local heat network, the building will meet the EG40EE energy efficiency standard and thus qualify for state funding. “In planning and implementing this project, we emphasise lean processes and resource conservation at all levels,” said Matthias Jordt, partner at Vollack.

With this investment and the move to the new location, Menzel Elektromotoren is positioning itself sustainably for the future.