A seemingly simple error during installation can trigger problems that affect both productivity and the agitator's lifespan. Imagine an emergency call from a customer who has just acquired an agitator and, after just three months of operation, serious problems begin to emerge: abnormal vibrations, excessive noise, signs of premature wear, or shaft breakage.

In most industrial plants, daily operations include some kind of emergency. In maintenance, this scenario entails costs, sometimes very significant ones. Often, technical service teams have to divide their time 70/30: 70% dedicated to reactive interventions, while only 30% is oriented toward prevention. This is the reality; the priority is not to avoid failures, but to solve them once they've already caused a shutdown, a logistical emergency, or a crisis with the client. This situation, although common, is not sustainable in the long term.

Renowned for its development of specialized pumps for challenging applications, WITTE’s inclusion in the MAAG family enriches the company’s product offerings. With a focus on industries such as chemical processing, polymer processing, cosmetics, and food, WITTE’s gear pumps enhance MAAG’s already robust portfolio. This strategic acquisition positions MAAG as a global leader in fluid handling equipment, including the polymer, and compounding sectors. Representation MAAG WITTE For existing WITTE customers, the transition brings benefits through Suurmond’s representation. With over 50 years of partnership between MAAG and Suurmond, it has been decided that Suurmond will handle the distribution of WITTE gear pumps and spare parts in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Sales UK and Ireland: Effective February 1, 2024, all WITTE pumps and spare parts are available through Suurmond UK for customers in the UK and Ireland. Repairs: Our workshops in Evesham and Nunspeet (NL) are well equipped to carry out repairs of WITTE pumps as well.

Our scientists support global innovators and producers across various industries to help resolve these common concerns using XRF elemental analysis: Quality Assurance/Quality Control: Ensuring consistency in manufacturing processes Raw Material Verification: Validating the composition of incoming materials to meet production standards. Polymer Materials Analysis Research and Development: Supporting innovation by providing detailed material composition data Regulatory Compliance: XRF analysis facilitates screening for substances for regulatory data requirements such as REACH and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), crucial for compliance in industries such as electronics manufacturing Semi-quantitative XRF elemental analysis covering all elements from Na to U Bespoke calibrations available for projects Analytical range from ppm up to 100% XRF Mapping Our XRF testing lab uses our advanced wavelength-dispersive XRF spectrometer (WDXRF, S8 TIGER Series 2) to apply XRF imaging to help resolve contamination or quality challenges. Once the samples have been analysed and elements identified this data can be analysed by XRF2 mapping software. We can pinpoint sections of the sample using a 300 µm or 1.2 mm spot size and 100 µm step size, then we can begin a targeted qualitative analysis of multiple spots. This is especially useful in contamination analysis or looking for distribution of an analyte across a sample. This is conducted on a macro scale and is useful for samples that are too large for SEM-EDX or for where a greater sample penetration is required than SEM-EDX can provide. An example of small spot mapping with high-resolution optics is its ability to provide detailed elemental surface mapping, which is sensitive for both light and heavy elements, which is critical in fields such as advanced materials research.

VEGA are exhibiting at CHEMUK 2026 on 20th–21st May at Stand G20. Discover VEGA cutting-edge process instrumentation for level, pressure, interface, and density measurement and control. Trusted across the chemical industry, our sensors ensure precision, efficiency, and safety in applications like storage tanks, distillation columns, reactors, and hazardous liquid storage. Certified to meet stringent safety and environmental standards, our solutions deliver the reliability and value your processes demand. Visit us at CHEMUK to see how we can support your operations! Experience live demonstrations of our cutting-edge solutions that simplify industrial processes and enhance operational efficiency.

Atom Scientific is the UK’s leading independent chemical manufacturing and distribution business that can offer customers a personalised and responsive service, rapid product delivery, backed up with exceptional technical support. Ranges include: Chemicals, Solvents, IVDR Diagnostic Reagents, pH Calibration Buffers (traceable to NIST), Volumetric Solutions, Buffer Tablets & Solutions and High Purity Solvents. Alongside their core chemical products, Atom Scientific offers a comprehensive range of laboratory consumables and small laboratory equipment. Atom Scientific aim to make their customers’ experience friendly, efficient and focused on their needs. In addition, everything is controlled from their Manchester facility. Atom Scientific can offer the scientific community a real alternative for sourcing their day-to-day requirements.

A UK food manufacturer has saved over £30,000 annually and eliminated pump-related failures after upgrading its hot oil circulation system to a high-performance solution from Fristam. The site previously relied on low-cost centrifugal pumps to circulate oil at temperatures up to 190°C between a fryer and filtration system. However, frequent seal failures led to hot oil leaks, safety risks and repeated production stoppages. Pumps failed on average every 13 days, causing significant downtime and maintenance costs. Over a 12-month period, the manufacturer recorded 27 failures, costing more than £31,000 in repairs, alongside additional losses from wasted oil. The recurring issues highlighted the limitations of using standard pumps in high-temperature food processing applications. To resolve the problem, the company installed Fristam FPE 742 centrifugal pumps, specifically designed for demanding, high-temperature environments. Featuring robust construction and high-temperature mechanical seals, the pumps provide reliable operation and improved durability under continuous use. Since installation, the results have been immediate and sustained. The site has reported zero pump failures, no unplanned downtime and no maintenance costs over two years of operation. The upgrade also improved site safety by eliminating hot oil leaks and reduced waste across the process. With a payback period of just seven months, the investment has delivered both operational and financial benefits. The case highlights how selecting the right pump technology can significantly improve reliability, reduce costs and enhance safety in food manufacturing environments.

UFLOW Automation cordially invites you to visit us at Agri Expo (Agriculture) from 17th to 19th January. Meet our team at Hall No. 3, Stall No. E-29 to explore our wide range of irrigation valves, diaphragm valves, solenoid valves, and automation solutions designed to enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency in modern agricultural systems. Let’s connect, exchange ideas, and grow better solutions together. Call to Action: 👉 Please Visit Us | Hall 3 – Stall E-29