Generally, obtaining buy-in from the water industry for OEM planned maintenance programmes has always traditionally proven to be a formidable task as many water companies place the emphasis on capital expenditure rather than maintenance. However, it is becoming clear to several water companies that maintenance staff within the water companies are often spread thinly territorially, so getting them together in one place for a day or several days at a time can prove difficult.
OEM service contracts may not always initially look attractive but, given the increasing pressures to achieve compliance with equipment that is becoming ever more complex, and the demand on staff who are becoming stretched even more thinly, service contracts can be proven to make good business sense and help increase the return on investment of the initial outlay.
ELIQUO HYDROK has been manufacturing water treatment equipment for more than 25 years, with the development of the Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge (IFAS) and Fixed Bed Diffused Aeration (FBDA) process treatments, plus the Mecana tertiary filtration systems, it became clear that offering a service and maintenance package would be essential for the client Water Companies, and would provide additional reassurance that the product would meet its forecast and expected lifespan.
Many ELIQUO HYDROK clients who purchased equipment stated that maintenance would be carried out by their in-house personnel. They have subsequently found that, even after the training supplied by the OEM, the tasks have proven time-consuming, less efficient and costly. This has led to a recognition that reverting to the OEM for service tasks is not only desirable, but in some cases, imperative. Leaving valuable assets to deteriorate can not only result in potential damage to the equipment, but also result in the failure to comply with discharge permits. Once serviced, the units are returned to good working order with minimal disruption to the treatment process.
As a solution, ELIQUO HYDROK has spent time and investment developing a service team format that allows a service package to be offered requiring minimal input from the water company whilst offering maximum efficiency in the maintenance process. Having teams carrying out the tasks in line with Reliability Centred Maintenance is cost effective. The ELIQUO HYDROK teams are proficient in these tasks and able to reduce the down time required of the assets.
Using the OEM service teams, who are trained and equipped to carry out the task, also reduces the requirements for the temporary supply of specialist equipment such as pumps and pressure washers. ELIQUO HYDROK teams are fully equipped with all the required plant including critical spares in purposefully fitted vehicles. This allows for replacement of parts during annual servicing that have or are imminently due to fail. This prevents plant downtime and reactive maintenance and, once on site, the only external requirement is wash water from the client. The use of petrol-driven cleaning equipment ensures that the teams are self-reliant even on remote parts of the site, the task can be achieved without further input from the clients.
For further information or to discuss your requirements contact: Jim Prout, Service & Maintenance Manager at ELIQUO HYDROK, 01726 861900 or complete the enquiry form opposite.
