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FEATURE CABLES & CONNECTORS making tHe cOnnectiOn In the 1970s, John Guest invented the


push-fit technology that revolutionised the way connections are made. Since


then it has been a constant process of improvement and innovation to drive


ever-greater efficiencies for customers, as Phil Lacey, RWC speciality sales director, explains


F


or decades, RWC’s John Guest has been driven by a desire to constantly innovate in order to improve the performance of its


products in a multitude of applications. However, while innovation is one thing, it’s another to actually get the product to deliver on performance. This has been a key focus for John Guest over the decades. We work with our customers to create bespoke push-fit solutions within their original designs to help speed-up manufacturing and optimise performance for industries from drinks dispense and automotive to telecoms, compressed air and even plumbing. Our aim is to always make sure that our


customers maximise the potential of their products, and what they can do to ensure efficiencies. Yes they’ve got a great product, but are they using it to its fullest extent? And how can they streamline and speed-up production using push-fit solutions? That’s always the question we ask and I think


that’s where we can help them drive those efficiencies – not just through innovation, but by working with them in terms of best practice too. Innovation and the development of products


is inspired by the conversations we have with our customers. They come to us with a problem and we work with them to find the best ways to overcome that challenge, working alongside them during development to design a solution. A global automotive manufacturer, for


example, needed a way to reduce production times within its high-pressure power steering systems. We worked with them to develop push-fit fittings that seamlessly integrated within their technology and solved an engineering challenge with the benefit of speeding up the manufacturing process.


revOlutiOnising tHe way cOnnectiOns are maDe


Since 1961, John Guest’s pioneering innovations have been supporting OEMs with custom solutions designed to drive efficiency in manufacturing and improve performance. Today, our extensive range of push-fit fittings and pipe are trusted worldwide with millions of products made each year. It was John Guest that invented the world’s


first food grade push-fit fitting almost 40 years ago. On discovering that lead in


2 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2022 2


compression fittings reacted with beer to cause serious health concerns, it was John Guest the industry turned to for a solution. The plastic push-fit connector for drinks


dispensing was born, offering a safer and more convenient alternative. This technology also forms the core of our JG PolarClean products that enhance the conditioning of beer and beverages in the supply tube using ‘tube-in-tube’ technology. We’ve also been helping to develop super-fast,


super-secure broadband connections for communities. Back in the 80s, when BT needed a solution for connecting blown fibre micro-duct systems, it was us they turned to. At the time, there were no standards so it was very much a bespoke product. Looking ahead 40 years, in 2020 we launched a new solution for blown fibre – the Direct Buried connector – designed to ensure successful microduct installations under the toughest of conditions. Today, we continue to deliver it across a range


of sectors as we work with our customers to explore ways that we can leverage push-fit technology to help them be more efficient.


Driving innOvatiOn


Global market leaders, including Ford and Ferrari, as well as niche players, have been using John Guest technology for decades to solve the key challenges they face. This is simply because the science behind our technology ensures optimal performance, longevity and fast and simple installation. From delivering a chilled pint to distilling wine,


hydroponic farming to animal feeding equipment, environmental test chambers and fuel cells, the applications for the push-fit concept are endless. We’re helping to streamline projects right


across a huge variety of industries. The great thing about our portfolio of products is the diversity and the versatility– I find the breadth of what we are doing quite staggering. It’s this diversity and our work in applying our knowledge from one sector, like plumbing and heating, to another that helps our customers drive efficiency across their businesses. For example, in the leisure market – it could


be the manufacture of yachts, caravans or motorhomes – the speed of installation will keep labour rates lower which means they can offer better prices to their customers.


From an OEM perspective, improving


efficiency is key. Often, in our fluid technologies range, that comes in two distinct areas. It’s the quick and easy manufacture of their products, and then driving efficiency in the installation of those products. We work with customers to provide


components that allow them to make their products compatible with push-fit. So, for example, that could be a shower manufacturer where they want the plumber to be able to just plug it in.


Driving simplicity


At the core of our technology is simplicity and quality, giving our customers the reassurance they need. If it’s a beer line you’re installing, it’s a simple process as, right from the keg, it’s push-fit from the connector directly to the font. Therefore, when an engineer is making repairs or installing a line, their labour time on site can be kept to an absolute minimum. Efficiency equals time and time equals


money. If you can save time, you can save money. Our customers can save money, whether that’s on installing a product or in manufacturing products where they use push- fit technology. They are assured of a quality finish at a much lower labour cost. It’s also about that product giving them the efficiency they need but also the reassurance and peace of mind that the technology will do what it is supposed to do.


emerging markets


Looking to the future, there are exciting new emerging markets in which the possibilities are endless. Beyond new sectors, it’s also clear that the ever-increasing demand for sustainability is driving change in manufacturing and production, not to mention in the way we grow our food, source energy and keep our cities moving. The seamless flow of liquid, air and data are crucial to this, and it’s here that there’s a great opportunity for push-fit technology in ensuring these systems are efficient and future-proofed.


RWC’s John Guest www.johnguest.com www.rwc.com


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