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In the News - 2013

April 2013

This year IMechE Steam turbine conference in Warwick was well attended with +125 people in attendance. Olsen Exhibited at the event and also presented a paper on Electric Actuator Retro-fits - the presentation is available by request - please use the contact page. The evening dinner was enjoyable. Certainly the subject of direct linear actuation was of interest with over 3000 Exlar actuators currently in service in three main applications, direct main steam valve control on small turbines to 100MW, pilot valve control on medium sized turbines to 400MW and the possibility to use FT100 370kN actuators drives with very small low power servo motors for large >650MW turbines. The scope and possibility to modernise older turbines with electric actuators in Europe is a reality and we hope to build on the successful projects already installed. With no hysteresis, fast response and 3um accuracy means that generator frequency can be better managed and of course there is no associated maintenance or fluid issues when running with electric cylinders compared to hydraulics. 21st Century turbines will no doubt eventually embrace and take delight in this direct drive, efficient, elegant engineering solution.

Olsen has opened additional offices in Daresbury Sci-Tech Innovation Centre with the aim of providing much better North West regional sales support. The new space also means to take advantage of networking opportunities with other science and technology companies from within the campus, as well as being able to use the vast array of conference facilities. STFC is based on site, who pioneered the frontier machine for light source synchrotrons, helping develop the ideas for CERN. Today globally installed machines are valued at more than £60 billion. The site boasts the UK’s largest supercomputer, HPCx, for developing applications. Daresbury STFC is also developing the largest radio telescope in the world, and the Nuclear Structure Facility has the world’s largest Van de Generator. John Leake, business development manager at Sci-Tech Daresbury, said: "We're delighted to welcome a business of Olsen Engineering’s calibre to the growing cluster of high-growth, high-tech businesses on the campus, and I’m sure that the facilities and community at Sci-Tech Daresbury will contribute to the company’s continuing success."

Thanks you for this event by IET Andrew Kaldos, the first of this kind organised by the Manufacturing and Management Group in very close cooperation with JLR Halewood `Dream Team`. The presentations byr Press/stamping, Body Construction, Paint Shop, Tim&Final and Quality & Process were impeccable. The fact that one car less than every 82s is produced with high optimised Quality in mind is fantastic. Based on what I have seen, it is certain Landrover will continue to increase market share and the Managers at Halewood are dynamic and very focused, growing the strength of UK motor industry. JLR are perfectly placed to accelerate automotive business in the North West.

March 2013

The 12th Annual NDI Conference, hosted at Old Trafford cricket ground starting on the day of Manchester vs. Real Madrid, brought together SMEs and manufacturing giants such as BAE Systems, Bombardier Aerospace, Airbus and Boeing. The conference discussed several key issues, including the Government’s Defence Equipment Plan, which last month set out a list of new equipment worth £160bn needed to equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years. Phillip Dunne MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology gave a speech confirming the need for collaboration between SME's and Primes, also leaders from several major manufacturers and supply chain firms explained their stratgey and opinions about the market place and the benefits of SC21. There was a gala dinner followed by day two of face to face meet the buyers: 10 appointments in total, understanding the supply chain of the major players and how to engage with the relevant departments.

February 2013

This month has seen the beginning of the North West Supply Chain 21st Century Regional Cluster, hosted by Rolls Royce Sundlerland, who manufacture High Pressure (HP) and Intermediate Pressure (IP) fan disks for Helicopters and Jet Engines. As part of an ongoing development of our businesses, 5 companies have started a cluster to share ideas and experiences of the SC21 program. They are Sheffield Forgemasters, Teledyne, Ford Aerospace, Analox supported by NDA, The aim is to share understanding about the program, sharing the strengths and weaknesses of the different business models, to implement improvements. A big thank you to Rolls Royce for a useful and interested tour of their production facilities and explaining their systems of monitoring the work flow, quality and personnel performance / site efficiency. Coincidentally this month also has seen fresh purchase orders from Rolls Royce for several actuators from the Derby and Filton sites.

January 2013

Exlar Press Release: I am pleased to announce that Exlar Corporation has been acquired by Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Curtiss-Wright is a diversified global provider of highly engineered products and services in the area of Motion Control, Flow Controls and Metal Treatment. Curtiss-Wright has a long history, with roots dating back to the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903, of continued investment in innovation and advanced engineering for critical applications in high-performance markets.

Curtiss-Wright has placed a high value on Exlar's existing sales organization and supports our continued investment in enhancing and growing the already strong relationship with our representatives and distributors. No changes in our relationship with any representatives or distributors are contemplated other than the normal evolution of the channel as local conditions dictate. Additionally, Exlar will continue to utilize our highly recognized name and build on our reputation.

Organizationally nothing changes at Exlar with the exception of a long planned promotion of Travis Lake to the North American Sales Manager. Travis will continue to report to me along with European Operations, Engineering, Technical Support and Human Resources. David Hansen, Western Regional Sales Manager will assume the responsibility for marketing and promotion. Vic will continue in his role as President with responsibility for our Operations, Finance, IT, Asia and Systems Group.

Vic Everson and I would like to thank everybody for your role in the success that we have achieved over the past 20 years. We look forward to continuing our efforts and relationships as we enjoy continued success in establishing Exlar and your organization as leaders in the industrial electric actuator market.

December 2012

Olsen Engineering UK Ltd / Olsen Actuation UK Ltd are pleased to announce Exlar Corporation have granted a 4 year exclusivity contract for the territory of United Kingdom. Christian Becker Manager for Exlar Europe and Tim Erhart Chairman and majority shareholder confirmed following negotiations that this agreement would take effect beginning 3rd December 2012. This deal is based on the much increased success of Exlar business in UK, a clearly defined sales and marketing strategy and the target to be the leading linear actuation company during the coming years in UK. Exlar is the worlds largest linear actuation company producing +1000 actuators per month and employing 185 people with 95 design engineers"

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