All our members are established specialists within their fields, and have the experience and commercial standing to provide quality, cost-effective solutions for all aspects of mechanisation for bulk materials handling and storage, conveyors, dust collection and control, instrumentation, mixers, big bag handling, sampling systems, sieves, valves and weighing systems and equipment.
Reinvigorated by the holiday season – albeit with now fading memories
of unfettered freedom and relaxation (!) – thoughts turn once more to
plans for the rest of the business year. Signs of improvement here and
in selected export markets are many, tempered perhaps by the
strengthening pound but mitigated by a continuation of the historically
low interest rates. The service sector may have been roaring ahead,
whilst industry continues nonetheless to “come up on the rails”.
Uncertainty still abounds and international political pressures continue
to press from many quarters. Nearer to home, on the technical front,
industries continue to develop. Powder characteristics such as particle
size distributions are evolving for instance in the powder paint and
other chemical ingredient sectors, as their products become ever more
accurately focused. These organic changes must be mirrored by suppliers
of handling and processing equipment.
Indeed, the second half of
this financial year will bring many challenges and more than a few
surprises. A drip feed of good quality, well researched knowledge, both
technical and commercial will be vital to the prosperity of all
manufacturers and suppliers. This is particularly so in our industries
as the products handled and standards and regulations invoked by their
processing are diverse beyond measure. Food processing, pharmaceutical
research, development and manufacture, chemical ingredient mixing and
blending, through to raw mineral crushing and screening, to mention just
a few examples, are all specialist disciplines.
Some idea of
this diversity may be appreciated by a scan through the SHAPA Equipment
Finder at www.shapa.co.uk, where many key manufacturers and suppliers of
such equipment, from laboratory sampling to full-on ship loading
facilities may be seen. All of these companies, as members of the Solids
Handling & Processing Association, have access to a continuous supply of
new information as well as their being able to benefit from commercial
and marketing insights to consolidate and improve their competitive
position.
Many have been long term members – up to 30 years or even
more for some, thereby offering a sound and confident service with the
advantage of longevity. It is important, of course, that supplier
companies are chosen for the “long haul”, with the expertise to fully
understand customers’ needs and to develop techniques in tandem with the
users of their equipment. Every process requires specialist knowledge
and good communication for future profitability. Solids handling
manufacturers and suppliers who have yet to join the SHAPA family could
do no better than to browse the website to see the established names who
benefit from (very economic, low cost) membership.
Consultants,
project engineers and users of materials in bulk, with a new project or
update in mind should have confidence in contacting SHAPA member
companies, in the knowledge that such good resources are available to
them, to make the formation of long term partnerships mutually
rewarding. Please visit www.shapa.co.uk
or email info@shapa.co.uk
for greater insight.
