FLEXIBLE MAINTENANCE PLANS CAN KEEP THE WHEELS OF INDUSTRY TURNING

Manufacturers can save money, reduce downtime and prevent production bottlenecks by choosing the right spares and service plan when purchasing capital equipment, according to a leading UK specialist in adhesive systems and hot melt equipment.

Protek Packaging Ltd has been supplying spare parts and service plans for adhesive equipment since it was established in 2004 – the company now also provides European-made gluing systems to a range of industries – and says businesses need to consider the support packages available when purchasing new machinery.

For example, technical back-up is crucial for food manufacturers as they will measure downtime due to an equipment breakdown in thousands of pounds per hour and potential lost stock – having support available quickly is essential, particularly for operations around the clock.

Of course, the big players will probably have their own engineers on site, which is why it’s important that service plans strike the right balance and are tailored to a customer’s specific production requirements, as Protek Managing Director, Eamonn Talbot, explained.

He said: “Food manufacturers tend to work around the clock – they could require a 24/7 call out service – while customers in product assembly such as woodworking doing regular day shifts may only need a service every 12 months. Sometimes issues can be resolved with telephone advice but knowing someone is ready to assist at all times provides reassurance.”

Boasting a team of leading packaging specialists and hot melt equipment technicians with an in-depth knowledge of the industry, Protek provides 24-hour support nationwide for not only its own machinery but competitors’ too, a flexibility that can nip problems in the bud.

Regular maintenance regimes, even just involving a clean and filter change, will keep hot glue melting systems running smoothly and eliminate 80% of problems that could interrupt production, even in factories where the charring process (dust and particles becoming burnt and gumming up the works) is a potential hazard.

Affecting certain manufacturing sectors, materials such as sawdust, flour and sugar particles get airborne and find a way into pumps, valves and nozzles, accelerating the charring process. Factors like these need to be taken into account when deciding what would be a reasonable service interval.

Mr Talbot commented: “Charring basically causes maintenance issues. We recommend cleaning and a filter change on a regular basis. It depends on a company’s shift pattern, but it’s usually every six months. By removing that contamination, downtime issues are greatly reduced.”

Manufacturers do not want to pay more for servicing than it has to, but keeping equipment in good condition is vital to avoid unnecessary downtime. Protek stocks key spare parts and has in-house expertise on glue application systems at its Warrington facility as well as having engineers available to come out on site.

Protek was founded in 2004 on the back of supplying spares and services for all makes and models of gluing systems available in the UK. This is still the case even though the company has come a long way since then and has since teamed up with PREO to become the Italian manufacturer’s sole UK distributor of adhesive equipment. For more information visit www.protek-adhesive-systems.co.uk.

Based in the north-west of England, Protek Packaging Ltd was established in 2004 and boasts a wealth of expertise combining leading industry specialists and hot melt and water-based adhesive dispensing equipment technicians with an in-depth knowledge in adhesive machinery, consumables, hot melt equipment servicing and maintenance.

Following more recent advancements, Protek now boasts a range of additional services, including the provision of tailor-made training courses in hot melt equipment management; servicing and maintenance, and a 24-hour technical assistance service.

Protek, the sole UK distributor of Italian manufacturer PREO’s equipment, also offers a bespoke machinery design and build service for hot melt application systems tailored to specific production requirements.

Protek stock a comprehensive range of equipment for adhesive application, from simple hand-held dispensing systems to fully automated large volume delivery systems suitable for a wide range of industries and applications.

Protek Packaging Ltd
18 Tatton Court
Kingsland Grange
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 4RR