42 BREWING & BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS Steam boiler specialist, CFB Boilers, has won a prominent innovation award in recognition of its work in changing and shaping the steam boiler and ancillary heating equipment landscape. The Essex-based manufacturer picked up the Tendring Blue Ribbon 2017 Award for Innovation in Design & Technology, fighting off staunch competition in a category that was open to all industries. CFB Boilers’ application, which effectively demonstrated ‘a product or service innovation that has led to commercial success’, was submitted anonymously by another company - which still remains a mystery to CFB Boilers. Commitment to innovation isn’t new to CFB Boilers; the company has been developing ground-breaking products and services since its inception over 120 years ago. Its flagship series 4VT Steam Boiler, for example, remains class-leading in several areas, such as energy-saving, start-up time and steam quality, despite having been developed by the company decades ago. CFB Boilers’ most recent innovation, a reverse osmosis unit named BoilerRO, has been manufactured to deliver a similar performance to other leading options on the market, but at around 50% of the cost – making the technology accessible to a much wider base of customers, many of whom were not able to access it previously due to budgetary restrictions. Additionally, the company is constantly enhancing its service capabilities to promote a superior customer experience, and many of its pioneering initiatives have redefined industry norms and standards. It is the company’s products and services which, as well as proving extremely popular with customers, have contributed to CFB Boilers’ continued growth. In the past three years alone, the company has more than doubled its revenue. “This award is a reflection of our dedication to innovation in design and technology, as well as customer service. Every member of the team actively works towards providing the best possible service to our customers; a culture that we have worked hard to promote for years. Everyone here is really proud of this achievement, which really came out of the blue, and we’re especially pleased that another company would go to the trouble of nominating us for the award. We’d like to thank all of our customers for their support,” said Derek Parish, Managing Director of CFB Boilers. Since winning the award, CFB Boilers has decided to encourage other innovating companies by providing sponsorship funding to the awards. “It’s made a big difference to our team, and we’d like to extend that sense of pride to other firms by supporting these awards,” concluded Mr Parish. A significant new addition to the ever-increasing product portfolio from HpE Process is the hygienic mixers range from PMS (the sister company of one of HpE’s longest standing suppliers). As many customers report serious issues with their current suppliers, PMS ensures its products bring a whole host of advantages to clients. Customers have praised PMS for its tank mixer (pictured) which works without a bottom bearing/support (for increased hygiene). The mixer is designed with a unique shaft that minimises shaft deflection to less than 2.5mm – not easy in a system where the product density and viscosity will vary considerably during the mixing process. The mixers even use a bearings and seal solution that ensures leakage of oil or grease from the drive train cannot enter the vessel, allowing operators and plant managers to see the problem before any contamination occurs. “Our product range is always evolving – customers tell us what they want and we always try to accommodate,” explained Andy Allman of HpE Process. “We ensure we only source products that are of the upmost quality from highly regarded suppliers and which comply with European standards. Our longstanding customers and ever-expanding range are a testament to our dedication to always solve customer problems with unrivalled solutions. “We have a 3-year plan for growth and expansion – one of our clients described HpE as the best-kept secret in the trade, we need to change that. There are currently some new products in the pipeline which are at the assessment stage – one of which uses temperature monitoring on pump seals to allow maintenance staff to monitor a pump throughout the production cycle and which will ultimately predict seal failure allowing planned maintenance to be carried out - we are extremely excited about introducing these to our customers.” PMS hygienic mixers join the HpE range CFB Boilers celebrates innovation award www.hpeprocess.com For more information visit: News PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT www.steamboilers.co.uk For more information visit: 42_Layout 1 16/05/2018 09:59 Page 1