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A star is born….
At a recent review of business strategy it was recognized that, although FICL is a world leader in the supply of ceramic components to a variety of industries, the service to our customers is limited to the supply of these components. |
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To improve our service to customers, we are pleased to announce the formation of Fairey Filtration Systems Limited, a specialist Systems Engineering company that provides unique, innovative and integrated filtration systems based on ceramic crossflow microfiltration technology. |
| The company was formed in January 2005 and Dave Gomer appointed as Engineering Manager. Dave Gomer joins the company after many years of experience with integrated systems covering feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed engineering, detailed design, fabrication, installation, testing, commissioning and operator training. |
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“It is a refreshing change to be a part of a team that is not only forward looking and dynamic but has a deep seated determination to conduct their business in such a way that the end product is cost effective while maintaining excellence in manufacture. Star-Sep™ filtration systems represent a step change in the application of ceramic membranes and provide innovative microfiltration solutions. I am thrilled at the prospect of the challenge ahead” Dave commented, on joining the company. |
Although there are numerous applications in which this technology can be employed, the company is primarily concentrating on promoting its Star-Sep™ Filtration Systems for the treatment of Produced Water within the Oil & Gas Industry in light of the OSPAR 2001/1 recommendations and particularly the The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations (OPPC) 2005.
Recent oilfield trials confirm that FFSL’s Star-Sep™ systems reduce the level of oil in produced water to less than 5 mg/litre, well below the OSPAR target of 30 mg/litre. This provides significant operational and cost advantages to both Owners and Operators.
Fairey Filtration Systems Limited is a subsidiary of Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited.
For more information, or to send an enquiry, please visit the new website: www.faireyfiltrationsystems.com |
| Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited has recently moved ahead with developing a new logo. The kingfisher has long been symbolic of fresh water and therefore seemed a natural choice for the new company image. Water purity is the essence of the company. Sales Director, Paul Hipkiss, is keen to make the company more customer friendly, especially on the Drinking Water Filters side of the business. |
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| “For many years, the emphasis in FICL marketing has been on industrial products and this image has tended to pervade the whole business. We have to be aware that drinking water filters are a consumer product, often sold in a retail environment. Our marketing needs to reflect this.” |
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The new logo is at the centre of a whole raft of marketing initiatives including a revamped website, new literature, and clearer product information for distributors. The message from FICL is clear: “Doulton® and British Berkefeld® are extremely strong world-wide brands sold in 140 different countries. These are names associated with the highest quality and product consistency. |
Our success does not mean that we can rest on our laurels and fail to promote our products effectively. It should act as a springboard for us to continue growing the business in new as well as existing territories. If we can do this by providing our distributors with better information and a more saleable image, we will.”
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After 32 years with FICL, Regional Sales Manager Mike Ducie will be retiring at the end of July. His ability, experience, and personality will be greatly missed by customers and colleagues alike.
During his career with the company, Mike has travelled extensively throughout the world, becoming personal friends with customers and agents both at home and abroad. "Every market is different. Only by visiting a territory can you gain a proper understanding of how to be successful there", Mike commented
It is Mike’s detailed knowledge of product, customer, and market that has made him so successful and popular with customers. At the end of Mike’s first year the annual sales turnover for the Drinking Water Filters Division was lower than today’s weekly sales figure! His hard work has helped to make FICL a market leader in the highly competitive world of water filters.
In 1990, Mike helped Fairey to win a second "Queen’s Award for Industry" for their efforts in export. He has witnessed many changes and improvements to the production and performance of the Doulton® and British Berkefeld® product range. We can only hope that the next 32 years are as successful as the last 32. For the last three months Mike’s successor, Simeon Gabriel, has been working alongside him. Together they have examined every customer, marketplace, and product to ensure the changeover goes as smoothly as possible. Simeon said to us, “It is impossible to replace the kind of knowledge and experience that Mike has gained over the last 32 years. However, in Mike’s absence, the FICL sales team will do everything we can to ensure that customers continue to receive the highest level of service.”
In retirement, Mike will be developing the G scale model railroad which was originally bought as a starter set for his grandson. It is rapidly filling the entire loft of his house! |
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Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited (FICL) has recently welcomed a new Sales and Marketing Manager to the Drinking Water Filters team.Simeon Gabriel joined the company at the beginning of March 2005 and will take responsibility for Drinking Water Filter sales in UK, Europe, Central Asia, and Central and South America.
Simeon Gabriel(Left) & Mike Ducie(Right) He comes from a strong export sales background, having previously worked in the brand protection and security documents sectors, selling to governments and major corporations world-wide. His language skills (including fluent Russian) and marketing experience are already being put to good use. |
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Simeon left his last company to live a dream and travel the world for 18 months. His travels took him through Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia, the whole of South East Asia, and back to the UK through China, Mongolia, and Russia. On his return to the UK, Simeon was looking for a different sort of challenge: “I wanted to gain experience of a new market sector. I was looking for a company which has a world-wide presence, a top quality product, and plenty of growth potential. FICL is able to offer all three.”
FICL Sales Director, Paul Hipkiss, is very pleased with his new appointment: “The kind of work and travel experience Simeon has is invaluable to an export business like ours. We wish him every success in his new role with us."
Simeon can be contacted either by telephone (Direct line: +44 (0)1782 664431) or via e-mail on sgabriel@faireyceramics.com |
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| Fairey and CFCI recently exhibited under the Doulton® brand name at the first joint WQA / Aquatech show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The new show, similar to Aquatech Amsterdam, brought together a diverse group of water-related industries under one roof. This was a first in the US. |
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The show exhibited high purity, industrial, wastewater, drinking water and other water-related specialities which gave the Fairey and CFCI personnel an opportunity to see and meet dealers, key customers, other manufacturers, retailers and other exhibitors in one place. In addition, other groups and associations were an added attraction to ensure that our Technical Manager Mr Andrew Clark also had an opportunity to hear of the up coming technologies within the industry.
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| It was a successful show as Fairey / CFCI were able to show their ceramic based drinking water filter products, together with some prototype and potential new releases for 2005 / 2006. |
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The Managing Director of Touch-Flo (Europe), Mr Tony Harris, and his wife Pat recently took part in the 15th Annual Wirral Coastal Walk to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The walk, held on Sunday 22 May and organised by the Rotary Club of North Wirral, attracted a record entry of more than 5500 people.
Described by the Rotary Club as "a wonderful day, our biggest yet", the day produced a variety of weather from sunshine to thunderstorms as the walkers made their way around the 15 mile route. |
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Touch-Flo, based in Liverpool, has been a major distributor of FICL products for many years, and our companies enjoy a very cordial relationship.
Despite the best efforts of the elements, Tony and Pat completed all 15 miles, raising more than £500 for an extremely worthy cause.Many congratulations from all at FICL.
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