Mailshot hits the spot
A timely mail shot from Air Energy hit the spot with Paddy Hopkirk Limited and has led to significant energy savings for the car accessory manufacturer.
Waheed Chaudry, managing director of Hertford-based Air Energy, explains: “We had produced a mail shot that focused on the energy saving potential of CompAir’s speed regulated compressors. At the time Paddy Hopkirk Ltd was in the market for replacement compressors but their primary concern was to increase their air supply rather than save energy.
We were able to show them that with the right configuration, they could achieve the higher output they needed with fewer compressors and so save considerable money in energy costs.”
Originally established by the renowned rally driver, Paddy Hopkirk Limited is now part of US owned JAC Products and manufactures roof racks, cycle racks and dog guards. Production at the Leighton Buzzard factory is highly dependent on the air supply. A powder coating plant consumes the majority of the air with presses and power tools also needing a reliable supply.
Growth in the business had placed increasing demands that the existing compressors could not meet, as maintenance manager Ray Marks explains: “We had three old compressors that were becoming increasingly unreliable and causing considerable downtime. At the time we were not considering CompAir compressors until we talked to Air Energy and they convinced us that they could deliver everything we needed.
The efficiency of the system they recommended meant that we could meet most of our demand with one smaller compressor – the second is only activated to cope with peaks in demand. On top of that, we are using substantially less energy.” Air Energy specified a system using a CompAir fixed speed L22 compressor to meet the base demand, with a speed regulated L45SR providing a top up supply.
With seasonal production patterns – employment numbers vary between around 50 during the winter months to over 100 in the summer – this combination is sufficient to ensure that the base requirement will always be met by the fixed speed machine, with the speed regulated machine on standby to meet increases in demand. The system installed also included a new dryer, filters, air receivers and a complete condensate management package.
As well as securing the order for the compressor system, Air Energy has also won a service contract from Paddy Hopkirk Ltd. Ray Marks: “We were very impressed by Air Energy’s approach. They completely understood what we were looking for, everything they promised of the system has been delivered and the back up is excellent.”