45TH ANNIVERSARY
BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE DIGITAL ERA
Google, LinkedIn, the iPhone, Netflix, it’s hard to believe that none of these things had been invented in 1980 when the first issue of Process & Control (formerly PEN) hit desks. 45 years later, we’re still reporting on industrial manufacturing technology and developments. Michelle Lea speaks to other companies also celebrating an anniversary, and asks: “What’s changed?”
he 1980s may seem archaic to us now, but some of the technological advances in this period still impact on our working lives today. The widespread availability of the microprocessor, the advent of mobile and remote communications, and advances in computer speed and technology, meant that it was during the 1980s that engineers began to rely on software as much as shop-floor hardware.
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In many ways, the hot topics of today have their roots back in the 1980s. Industry 4.0, IIoT sensors, machine learning and artifical intelligence, even though some of these concepts didn’t exist in 1980, the foundations for such technology were certainly created. In celebration of our 45th anniversary, I spoke to other companies in our industry who are also celebrating an anniversary this year. I asked them: “What’s the biggest change that has taken place in your industry since your company began?”
Here’s what David Brown, Managing Director of pump manufacturer, Börger UK, said about the rotary lube pump market in the UK. “The biggest change for me is that from a standing start as a new company here just over 20 years ago, rotary lobe pumps didn’t have a great reputation with the water companies. This was due to them being sold cheaply and not sized correctly for tough applications that are always going to have to deal with rags and grit.
“Now, through a lot of hard work, that’s completely changed. Börger rotary lobe pumps, after a significant breakthrough with Thames, are in use with pretty much every UK water company. They’re a proven mainstay. Operators like them because they are certainly sized correctly (!), plus reliable, efficient, and with our Maintenance-in-Place design, very easy to service. Of late, price- driven decisions have been overriding those made on longevity, which is a shame when the water companies at one point were far keener on whole life costs. Hopefully this will
come full circle again.
“Industry-wise, we’ve seen a downturn in offshore work, and have sadly seen an exodus, not just from the UK, but from Europe, of chemical companies moving to Asia, where they can produce products at a much cheaper price. We're all fighting after a smaller piece of the pie at the moment.
“However, this has been countered for us with the expanding Biogas industry, where in addition to pumps, there is a big demand for our separators and macerators. “Overall, we have a very diverse product portfolio, so as inevitably, one industry gets smaller, another one experiences growth, which we’re always ready for.” Peter Church, managing director of FB Chain, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, spoke about the conveyor component market. He said: “For us, the biggest change has been the evolution from being a component supplier to becoming a comprehensive engineering partner.
“Forty years ago, our job was to supply quality conveyor components, including chain sprockets and attachments, to customers in demanding industries such as quarrying, energy, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper and tissue. Today, our role is to solve the fundamental process challenges within those environments that cause downtime and inefficiency. “This shift is best exemplified by how we approach chain lubrication – a major cause of unnecessary wear, stoppages, and material contamination. Instead of simply supplying chain that could prematurely fail through improper maintenance, we sought to fix the root cause. This led to our RotaLube system, a patented technology that delivers precise amounts of lubricant only to the chain’s pivot points. It ensures effective lubrication where friction occurs, dramatically increasing component life while cutting waste. We’ve since made this technology more accessible with a handheld ECO Kit, bringing the same precision
20 JULY/AUGUST 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL
to smaller-scale applications.
“This problem-solving ethos now extends to sustainability, where we help customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions by addressing the carbon footprint of the components we supply. For instance, by sourcing our steel from an Italian supplier committed to a circular economy – using 95% scrap metal and electric arc furnaces - we can reduce a component’s CO2 emissions by up to 60%.
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