ANNIVERSARY NEWS INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SPECIALIST MARKS CENTENARY R
epresentatives of UK manufacturing gathered in force earlier this month to mark the centenary of industrial automation specialist Festo. The event, held at Festo GB’s Innovation Centre in Northampton, was an ideal opportunity for industry organisations, customers, suppliers, and employees to discuss how automation will shape British manufacturing in the future. Guest speakers included (pictured from left to right) Dr Sebastian Beck, Festo Board Member for Finance and HR, John Pearce, CEO, Made in Britain, Ben Blackledge, CEO, WorldSkills UK, and Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer, Manufacturing Technology Centre. Key themes included the importance of innovation and collaboration, attracting new talent and skills development, and investment in automation in the context of British manufacturing and the global economy.
Swapnil Khedekar, Head of Operations Festo GB, set the tone for the day. “Today is not just about reminding ourselves where we’ve come from, but to look ahead. We have not reached the finishing line, we are celebrating a milestone on a much longer journey.”
Swapnil then highlighted the values that underpin Festo’s business ethos. “Innovation is the way we stay competitive, sustainability is the way we stay accountable. As a family company, Festo thinks in generations, not in quarters.”
John Pearce, CEO, Made in Britain, expanded on the themes of collaboration, innovation and sustainability, explaining the contribution that British manufacturing makes to the national economy. Securing the future of manufacturing through
40 YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL CHAIN INNOVATION
developing the skills required to implement new automation solutions was addressed by Ben Blackledge, CEO, WorldSkills UK, an organisation delivering skills excellence across the UK, helping young people thrive and employers grow. Ben sees closer collaboration as the key to resolving the skills gap and securing the future of British manufacturing. He also believes there must be a renewed focus on how skills are taught for the UK to be internationally competitive, and believes WorldSkills UK’s partnership with Festo is key to this. Skills shortages and an aging workforce are challenges that automation can solve, according to Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer, Manufacturing Technology Centre. He emphasised the transformative potential of automation as a means to revitalise productivity and stimulate growth, drive innovation and efficiency, and encourage a more dynamic and progressive approach to change.
Festo’s Dr Sebastian Beck then explained how the company’s original motto, “one mission, many hands”, had set the foundation for a business based on teamwork and collaboration.
www.festo.co.uk
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
ounded by Tony Herridge in 1975, Dual Pumps Limited has grown from a small garage-based operation into a leading distributor of pressure washers, pumps, and fluid-handling components. Over the past five decades, the company has built a reputation for reliability, innovation, and quality service.
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Tony worked as a sales representative for Hypro in the UK and Europe, a role that would prove instrumental in shaping the company's future. His work soon led to partnerships with other major brands, including Interpump, Pratissoli, Banjo, Pacer, and Flojet, marking the beginning of a long and successful collaboration that would help define Dual Pumps' product offering. In 1977, the company opened its first office in Oakham with two employees before expanding to Melton Mowbray in 1982. A major milestone came in 1983 when Dual Pumps became the official UK distributor for Interpump, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-pressure plunger pumps. Today, the company offers a 432-page catalogue and a mobile-responsive B2B website featuring over 10,000 products, streamlining the purchasing experience for trade customers. The company moved into a 35,000 sq. ft. facility on the outskirts of Melton Mowbray in 2012, enabling it to meet increasing demand and enhance service offerings. The launch of the Evolution Series Engine-Driven Pressure Washers in 2015, featuring over 60 models
8 JUNE 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL
across ten series, further cemented the company’s reputation for high-performance, durable products tailored to industry needs.
In 2020, Dual Pumps achieved ISO 9001-2015
certification, demonstrating its commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
As Dual Pumps marks its 50th anniversary, it stands as a testament to growth, resilience, and dedication to customer satisfaction. The company now employs 44 people, serving over 2,500 customers, from sole traders to international OEMs, and distributing products from more than 90 leading global manufacturers.
At Dual Pumps, dependability isn’t just a promise— it’s a legacy.
www.dualpumps.co.uk
elebrating 40 years of industrial chain innovation, FB Chain’s journey began in 1985 as a supplier to British forklift truck manufacturers. The company quickly expanded from leaf chain into large pitch chain, serving manufacturing equipment and conveyors across diverse sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, paper and tissue, and textiles. Today, its products are sold in over 50 countries, a testament to FB Chain’s global expansion and industry influence.
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From its inception, FB Chain distinguished itself from bulk conveyor chain suppliers by prioritising quality, safety, and application advice, as well as delivering engineered solutions to customer challenges. By enhancing conveyor performance, the company helped customers save time, money, and waste. A significant strategic shift came in 2019 with the acquisition of BKC Products, which broadened FB Chain’s capabilities in the design, manufacture, installation, and servicing of conveyor systems on all scales. This expansion also brought the integration of the RotaLube system, invented in 2012 by David Chippendale, the former founder of BKC Products and now a director of FB Chain.
In 2024, FB Chain introduced the ECO Kit, a handheld version of the RotaLube system. Recognising the growing importance of supply chain sustainability, FB Chain is also actively addressing one of the biggest challenges its customers face today: reducing their Scope 3 emissions.
FB Chain’s managing director Peter Church, said: “We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in conveyor technology in terms of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability – and by doing so we’re positioning ourselves to stay ahead of the evolving needs of our global customers for the next 40 years and beyond.”
fbchain.com
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