Filtermist Limited

Filtermist scores Great Place to Work certification for a second time

Filtermist Limited — 28/06/2023

Telford based LEV extraction systems provider, Filtermist Limited, has secured Great Place to Work certification for the second year running following a re-scoring survey earlier this year.

As part of Absolent Air Care Group, all Filtermist employees are asked to complete an annual survey which acts as a temperature check on how happy they are with their employer. In order to qualify for Great Place to Work Certification, employers must achieve a score of 65% or more in the Trust Index which is based on the Trust Model ©. Filtermist scored a fabulous 79% in the overall Trust Index meaning it is officially certified as a Great Place to Work.

The Trust Model © measures employee responses in five key areas: 

Respect
Credibility
Fairness
Camaraderie
Pride

There is also an opportunity for employees to add free text comments outlining what they think makes Filtermist a Great Place to Work and giving suggestions for potential improvements that could be made.

Jo Morris, Filtermist’s Corporate Services Director, elaborates, “We received some really lovely feedback on why our employees feel Filtermist is a great place to work. A significant proportion of the comments included reference to the help and support they receive from the wider team – both colleagues and managers.

“This is something we have worked really hard on achieving – we aim to recruit the best people and ensure they have the skills and support needed to succeed. This ethos runs throughout all departments, at all levels across the business. We try and promote from within wherever possible and lots of people commented on the training opportunities that are available for those that want to progress their careers.

“Hybrid working was also mentioned by a few respondents – this is obviously role dependant, but our employees really value the work/life balance that splitting time between working from home and spending time in the office offers.

“As a business we have very ambitious targets, and we try and communicate what this means to every individual very clearly so everyone understands their objectives and the contribution they make to the bigger picture - this clarity plays a very important part in overall morale.

“We are delighted with this year’s results and will be looking closely at the suggestions for further improvements so we can make sure this positive trend continues.”

Filtermist’s Executive Management Team took the opportunity to celebrate the GPTW score and thank all employees for their continued efforts by hosting a barbecue in the grounds of the company’s Telford HQ on Wednesday. Jo Morris, CEO James Stansfield, and CFO Martyn Hasell, donned aprons, chef’s hats and food safe gloves to cook up a storm for approximately 90 staff.

Great Place to Work ® is ‘built on the belief that great employee experiences are better for people, for business and for the world.’ Getting Certified™ is the first step to being named in one of Great Place to Work’s annual Best Workplaces™ lists.

Find out more by visiting www.greatplacetowork.co.uk or follow this link to see Filtermist’s listing on the Great Place to Work website.

Five risk-free years with all Filtermist oil mist filters

Filtermist Limited — 23/02/2022

UK oil mist filters manufacturer, Filtermist International Limited, is so confident of the quality of its products that it has introduced a five-year warranty - totally FREE of charge. The warranty covers key non-consumable components, including the motor.

Filtermist International CEO James Stansfield elaborates, “We have manufactured our compact, centrifugal oil mist filters for more than 50 years now and in that time we have pretty much perfected our manufacturing processes.

“If our units are properly serviced and maintained there is no reason why they cannot last for a substantial number of years – we have operational Filtermists in the field which are more than 30 years old! This is a really important factor in why we are so successful globally - especially given the current conversations around sustainability and the environment.

“The design of Filtermist oil mist filters has been developed and improved since 1969 to become the globally recognised product that it is today, under the guidance of our skilled and experienced team. We are fortunate to have a dedicated workforce, many of whom have worked at Filtermist for more than 20 years – so if anyone knows how to produce oil mist collectors that work it is them!

“We are putting our money where our mouth is by offering a free five-year warranty to all of our customers as we know our units are designed to keep working for the long haul.”

Filtermist International is accredited to ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001:2015, and its oil mist collectors are CE marked. The motors used are CE and CSA/UL certified.

“As an ISO accredited company, we follow documented procedures to ensure all of our products are manufactured to the highest standards,” continues James. “Every single Filtermist unit undertakes rigorous Quality Assurance checks during the assembly process to ensure it is in perfect condition and ready for dispatch. Our dedicated Quality Assurance Manager is constantly monitoring our production - this all helps us to check standards are continuously maintained.”

The five-year warranty must be activated via Filtermist’s website: www.filtermist.co.uk – where full Terms and Conditions can also be downloaded.

Contact Filtermist’s team to find out more about the five-year warranty on all Filtermist oil mist collectors.

Filtermist launches FREE access to 24/7 emergency breakdown cover

Filtermist Limited — 27/05/2022

Filtermist, the UK’s leading provider of LEV extraction systems, is offering all of its customers free access to a brand-new 24-hour emergency breakdown cover service for all makes and models of LEV (local exhaust ventilation) equipment.

Customers who are eligible to access this service will be able to call a dedicated phone number at any time of the day or night to report a breakdown. A Filtermist Engineer will visit their site as quickly as possible, with a guaranteed response time of no more than six hours from the time of their call.

The new service is designed to support all of Filtermist’s aftermarket customers, as Director of Group Shared Services, Jo Morris, explains, “As a UK manufacturer ourselves, we know how important it is to minimise downtime. Any issues with the performance of LEV equipment can halt production and this can hit our customers’ bottom line.

“This is why we now offer all of our customers access to 24-hour emergency breakdown cover completely free of charge. Customers only pay for what they use, and all costs are totally transparent from the outset. If customers never access the service, they won’t pay a penny.”

A breakdown report will be emailed to the customer within 48 hours of a site visit detailing the cause of the issue and any actions that were taken to get the LEV system up and running again.

Any customers that want to take advantage of the peace of mind this service offers will just need to sign an agreement confirming the following to ensure they are eligible for cover:

Critical spares are held on site
LEV systems are serviced at least once a year by Filtermist Service Engineers
LEV systems are tested at least once every 14 months by Filtermist Service Engineers

“We know that extraction isn’t the most exciting part of a production facility, but if it stops working for any reason this can cause customers a real headache,” continues Jo. “Keeping critical spares on site and being able to access support as soon as there is an issue means customers can keep downtime to an absolute minimum in the event of a problem.

“We are constantly trying to identify ways that we can make life easier for our customers so they can concentrate on production – we are confident that this new service offering will be widely welcomed across a wide range of industries.”

Filtermist’s emergency breakdown cover service is currently available for all customers based in mainland England and Wales, and the Telford based company hopes to extend coverage to customers in the rest of the UK over the coming months.

Call Filtermist’s team on 01952 290500 or email sales@filtermist.com to find out more.

Is your LEV Test Report as comprehensive as it could be?

Filtermist Limited — 10/11/2016

As people that live and breathe (no pun intended!) Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) testing, Filtermists dedicated LEV engineers are still sometimes surprised by the varying levels of competency they encounter when talking to customers about their experiences of LEV testing.

Anyone responsible for ensuring workplace air is safe already knows that all LEV systems are subject to a number of legal requirements.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002 Regulation 9 states that in addition to testing by a competent person at least once every 14 months, every employer shall keep a suitable record of the examinations and testsand of repairs carried out as a result of those examinations and tests, and that record or a suitable summary thereof shall be kept available for at least 5 years from the date on which it was made.

LEV Engineer Jamie Allen elaborates, HSE recommends including a wide range of information in LEV test reports to ensure an accurate record of both the LEV system and the examination results.

It seems like common sense to experienced LEV engineers to include as many details as possible, but we still hear from customers who have been given a one-page summary sheet as the outcome of an LEV test. This is all very well until there is a problem and it proves difficult to back-track and cross-reference with previous test results.

Filtermist has carried out LEV tests for some customers who have already had equipment tested, but felt the service was not as stringent as it might have been. Jamie continues, Some employers double-up on their LEV testing to ensure their systems are working properly. They may receive the service as part of their business cover through their insurer, but still pay for a third party to carry out additional tests for their own peace of mind. We recently came across an example of this with a customer in Sheffield - they had already had an LEV report done through their insurer, but they werent happy with the quality of the report.

We re-tested all LEV systems on site and made some recommendations on the basis of our findings. On this occasion nothing serious was found, but if the customer implements the suggestions we made they will be able to improve the operating efficiency of at least two of their LEV systems.

All LEV Test Reports compiled by Filtermist include the following information:

· Initial risk assessment

· Safety policy

· Method statement

· Customer name and date examination took place

· Reference number for system that the report relates to

· Substance / process being controlled

· A photo of the LEV system and product reference

· Details of the systems intended performance

· Test point details

· Quantitative assessment readings and details of any repairs required

· Statement of competency for the Test Engineer

· Safety policy

· Report observations and recommendations for improvement

Filtermist currently produces its comprehensive LEV Test Reports manually, but is planning to move to a digital system early next year. As well as meaning test results can be sent straight to the customer as soon as the report is finalised, it will make it even easier to retrieve the necessary documentation in the eventuality of a request from HSE.

LEV Test Reports play a vital role in ensuring the control measures taken by an employer are working as intended and safeguarding employees from potential exposure to substances hazardous to health, Jamie comments.

Whilst Filtermists background is in effective oil mist removal, it also has extensive experience in dust, fume and smoke extraction and its dedicated LEV team provides CoSHH compliant LEV testing for all makes and models of LEV systems.

Email lev@filtermist.com or call 01952 209967 to book CosHH compliant LEV Testing from Filtermists P601 accredited engineers.

Useful resources

Download this HSE guide Clearing the air - A simple guide to buying and using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for a plain English explanation of what employers need to do to ensure compliance with CoSHH regulations, or follow the link below to read CoSHH regulation 9 in full:

First Filtermist oil mist filter service included with every installed unit

Filtermist Limited — 02/03/2022

Filtermist Systems Limited includes the first service visit with every installed Filtermist oil mist filter purchased by UK customers.

This initiative is designed to provide customers with peace of mind that their oil mist extraction is performing as intended and ensuring employees are consistently protected from potentially harmful airborne oil mist particles.

Craig Woodward, Divisional Sales Director for Oil Mist and Industrial Vacuums explains, “Like all mechanical machinery, Filtermist units perform best with regular maintenance. This ensures the required airflow is being maintained and can flag up any potential issues including blinded filters or blocked ducting.

“We’ve introduced the inclusion of the first service with all of our UK sales of installed Filtermist units to end-users to encourage customers to see the benefits that regular servicing can offer.

“As a full-service provider, we like to work in partnership with our customers to ensure the air in their facilities is clean and safe to breathe at all times. Some suppliers will sell an oil mist filter which ticks the box of installing local exhaust ventilation (LEV) as required by the HSE, but without aftersales support it can be hard to be certain that the filter is continuing to perform at the original specified level.

“COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations require all LEV systems to be tested at least once every 14 months, but that can potentially mean a long time between an issue occurring and it being identified if something happens soon after the LEV test. Booking a service visit between routine LEV tests means any issues can be swiftly identified and resolved, meaning there is less likelihood of the LEV system failing the next thorough examination and test.”

Filtermist recommends servicing its oil mist filters every 2000 hours, although this can alter depending on the nature of the application. If the recommended interval is more frequent, this will be noted on the digital service report supplied after each service visit.

Every Filtermist unit is supplied with an installation and maintenance manual which includes an LEV logbook to enable users to accurately record the outcomes of daily, weekly and monthly checks, in addition to service visits and routine LEV test.

“Keeping accurate records is another requirement of COSHH so we try and make this as easy as possible for our customers,” continues Craig. “Let’s face it, whether it’s servicing a car or a Filtermist unit it’s not at the top of anyone’s agenda, so including the first service with every install means our customers have one less thing to think about!”

Visit Filtermist’s YouTube channel to watch one of its service engineers undertaking a routine service of a Filtermist oil mist filter, or contact the company’s dedicated service team by calling +44 (0)1952 290500 and selecting option 1 or emailing sales@filtermist.com.

Filtermist and Multi Fan Systems are proud to partner the MCMT

Filtermist Limited — 13/11/2017

Filtermist and one of its subsidiary companies, Multi Fan Systems, are delighted to be supporting the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) by ensuring all apprentices, tutors and visitors benefit from breathing clean air.

Located in Bridgnorth, the MCMT is a coalition between four local firms (Grainger & Worrall, Classic Motor Cars, Salop Design & Engineering Ltd and In-Comm Training) who successfully secured Government Growth Deal funding from the Marches LEP, European Regional Development Funds and support from Shropshire Council to develop a new facility dedicated to addressing the increasing skills gap in the engineering sector.

The MCMT offers a wide range of apprenticeships and tailored training, including professional development, to ensure UK engineers are equipped with the skills required by industry.

In addition to the four main partners, the MCMT is also supported by a number of Technical Partners, including long-standing Filtermist customer Engineering Technology Group (ETG), who have all contributed machinery, equipment and services to enable apprentices to learn using the very latest technologies.

ETG has established one of its Technical Academies at the MCMT, which has been kitted out with a number of machine tools including a Bridgeport Harding GX480 vertical machining centre fitted with an FX4002 oil mist filter from Filtermist, and a GS510 lathe, complete with an S800 from Filtermists compact S Series.

Filtermists Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, elaborates; We believe that all employees have the right to breathe clean air. If apprentices recognise this right and understand the importance of effective extraction from the very start of their career, they should be more empowered to flag any issues they may encounter when they enter the workplace.

Despite continued efforts by the Engineering and Manufacturing sectors, they still have some way to go in changing perceptions that they operate in dirty environments, when in reality the air in workshops with effective control measures is just as clean as the average office.

Whilst the Filtermist oil mist collectors are designed to protect people from exposure to hazardous airborne particulate in the CNC training facility, the MCMT also had additional extraction requirements which were handled by Filtermist subsidiary, Multi Fan Systems.

The MCMT includes a number of welding benches, comments Multi Fan Systems Sales Manager, Peter Hill. We originally looked at installing a centralised fume extraction system to remove welding fume from the air, but it was decided that individual mobile units offered more flexibility in this specific instance. The nature of the factory means that not all benches will be used all of the time, so we supplied 15 mobile units which can be moved around as required.

In addition to effectively removing welding fume, the mobile units recirculate clean air back into the factory meaning the MCMT will benefit from lower heating bills.

Multi Fan has also installed a centralised vehicle exhaust extraction system to draw fumes from four vehicle ramps, as well as a dynamometer which runs at speed to simulate a moving vehicle. The system includes hose reels which have been mounted at high level, flexible duct hose coupled to the vehicle exhausts and a centrifugal fan which discharges the fume to atmosphere in accordance with PPC (Pollution Prevention and Control) regulations.

Filtermist Managing Director James Stansfield, says, We are passionate about creating safe working environments and helping ensure the next generation of engineers has the skills our industry needs. We actually have two of our own apprentices at the MCMT having this facility on our doorstep is fabulous.

We are very pleased to be involved with the MCMT, both as a supplier and a customer, and we are confident that the regions manufacturing economy will greatly benefit as a direct result of this resource.

Find out more about the MCMT by visiting www.mcmt.co.uk or follow @marchescentre on twitter.

Filtermist Group is Great Place to Work-Certified™

Filtermist Limited — 23/06/2022

Filtermist Group, the UK’s leading provider of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) extraction systems, has joined well-known brands including Checkatrade, Deloitte, Experian and Hiltie by becoming Great Place to Work-Certified™ following a recent employee survey.

All Absolent Air Care Group companies, including UK based Filtermist International and Filtermist Systems, take part in an annual Great Place to Work survey to measure the perception and experience of their employees. In order to qualify for Great Place to Work Certification, employers must achieve a score of 65% or more in the Trust Index which is based on the Trust Model ©.

The Trust Model © measures employee responses in five key areas:

Respect
Credibility
Fairness
Camaraderie
Pride

Jo Morris, Filtermist’s Director of Group Shared Services which incorporates HR, comments, “This is a fabulous achievement, and we are very proud to have been recognised alongside some of the UK’s leading brands. Being a successful business is reliant on having the right workforce who care about our company and want to deliver.

“To encourage this ethos, we have six core competencies which outline how we do business and how we treat each other. Our employees conduct themselves in accordance with these key behaviours and this has fostered a real sense of ‘team’. This has become even more important since we introduced hybrid working. The results of the recent Great Place to Work survey are testimony to the fact that this model is working for us, and we have the right people in the right place, supported by a strong and capable management team.

“We also invest significantly in our workforce in terms of training, both internally and externally, to ensure career progression is available to everyone that wants it, and we strive to maintain a positive, open culture based on candour, trust and respect. We are currently running three development programmes, starting with our Rising Stars and working through to our Senior Leadership Programme. We are very proud of these programmes, and they help ensure consistent and fair management across our business.

“The nature of our products and services means our employees all have a sense of pride in what we do, and this give our roles meaning and a shared sense of purpose. There has always been a real sense of camaraderie at Filtermist - visitors have commented that this is tangible, and this is something that really sets us apart as an employer and is one of the key reasons that we are a ‘Great Place to Work’.

“We have great teams throughout our businesses - our Executive Management Team is extremely proud of the progress all of our people managers have made.

Great Place to Work ® is ‘built on the belief that great employee experiences are better for people, for business and for the world.’ Getting Certified™ is the first step to being named in one of Great Place to Work’s annual Best Workplaces™ lists.

Watch this short film to hear why some of Filtermist's employees think Filtermist is a Great Place to Work: https://youtu.be/4x5Vb1i07p0

Find out more by visiting www.greatplacetowork.co.uk or follow this link to see Filtermist’s listing on the Great Place to Work website.

HSE announces Woodworking inspection programme

Filtermist Limited — 07/03/2022

The Healtha nd Safety Executive (HSE) sent an e-bulletin out last month to advise UK businesses that ‘HSE Inspectors will be visiting woodworking businesses across Great Britain to ensure duty-holders know the risks associated with woodworking and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.’

This inspection programme will begin in April 2022 and Inspectors will be tasked with ‘looking for evidence that employers have considered the control measures required to reduce workers’ exposure to wood dusts; workers understand that exposure to wood dusts can damage their long-term respiratory health; and that effective control measures are in place to protect workers from harm.’

The long-term time-weighted average (TWA) Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for hardwood dust was reduced from 5mg/m³ to 3mg/m³ on 17^th January 2020. Hardwood dust is classed as ‘Carc’ which means it is capable of causing cancer and/or heritable genetic damage, and ‘Sen’ which means exposure may cause occupational asthma.

For this reason, exposure to hardwood dust is controlled under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002. During visits to workshops which undertake woodworking operations, HSE Inspectors will be checking that effective controls are being used and all paperwork including risk assessments, health surveillance, and maintenance and test records for any extraction equipment (local exhaust ventilation systems) are in order.

Schedule 9 of the COSHH regs requires all LEV systems to be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, in good repair and in a clean condition, and thoroughly tested and examined at least once every 14 months.

Filtermist Systems provides a comprehensive aftersales service that includes routine and reactive maintenance, COSHH compliant LEV Testing, air monitoring and air sampling services, as well as spares and consumables for a huge range of dust extraction systems including systems designed to effectively control wood dust.

Aftermarket Sales Team Leader Jane Boon comments, “This latest inspection programme comes hot on the heels of the fabricated metals inspection programme which has been running for the past 12 months.

“Fitting extraction is not enough – employers must be able to prove that the LEV is fit for purpose and regularly maintained and tested in line with the requirements of COSHH. We provide a wide range of services designed to make this easier for customers including the provision of LEV logbooks which include recommendations for checks which should be undertaken on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis, as well as space to record routine servicing and LEV tests.”

The HSE website contains a dedicated section on woodworking which is designed to ‘help employers, the self-employed and franchisees to comply with COSHH Regulations 2002, as amended, to control exposure to wood dusts, etc, and protect workers health.’ Downloadable resources include an advice sheet for managers (WD0) and information based on specific equipment including bandsaws, sanding machines, CNC routers and planers.

Contact our team now to find out how Filtermist can ensure your business is COSHH compliant should the HSE pay you a visit.

A full list of WELs can be found in HSE publication EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits (WELS).

In-house LEV engineers carry out CoSHH compliant testing on Filtermist’s own extraction system

Filtermist Limited — 05/12/2016

Metal spinning, linishing and welding, all of which generate potentially harmful fume and smoke, are vital processes used to manufacture every Filtermist oil mist filter. A comprehensive centralised extraction system was therefore an essential part of the building specification when Filtermist was planning its new production facility in Telford back in 2014.

Filtermists extraction system draws welding fume and smoke from 16 pickup points through 14 extraction arms, connected by 260m of ducting. The contaminated air is then filtered using two Absolent A dust 5 units designed to handle 17,600 m³ air flow per hour.

As well as its moral duty to protect employees from harmful substances, like all manufacturers, Filtermist is required by CoSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations to ensure its LEV system is tested by a competent person at least once every 14 months. However, unlike most manufacturers, Filtermist has its own in-house resource for this due to its dedicated LEV department.

Jamie Allen and Matt Wall, two of Filtermists P601 certified engineers, recently inspected all 16 pick-up points in the extraction system and were pleased to report that they all passed!

Jamie comments, Filtermists system includes F Monitor monitoring systems at each pickup point which alert our engineers to any potential issues with the airflow in the ducting. We werent surprised that everything was working as intended, but its still reassuring to have official confirmation.

We also took this opportunity to trial a new digital reporting system which were rolling out next year. Filtermists Install and Service Engineers have used tablets for a few years now - all data is entered into a tablet which then generates a comprehensive report including any recommendations from the engineer.

Were looking forward to making the move from a paper based LEV reports system to digital in January, and in Filtermists case it means the most recent LEV report can be accessed quickly and easily should it be needed.

Find out more about LEV Testing from Filtermist by following this link, or call 01952 209967 to book an LEV Test from our experienced engineers.

Filtermist’s extraction experts discuss dust

Filtermist Limited — 21/03/2017

Dust particles generated in a wide range of manufacturing and production processes pose a significant hazard to health. They can cause respiratory diseases, skin irritation and eye problems, and, in some instances, can result in deadly explosions if left to accumulate in the atmosphere.

Effective control measures play a vital role in protecting people from the effects of inhaling contaminated air and should always be designed, installed and maintained by industry professionals.

Made in the Midlands member, Filtermist International, has almost 50 years experience in ensuring workshop air is clean and safe to breathe. Kevin Hood, Sales Director at Filtermist subsidiary Multi Fan Systems, and Jamie Allen, one of Filtermists dedicated LEV (local exhaust ventilation) engineers, discuss the importance of working with professionals with specialist expertise.

Extraction System Specification

Regulations including CoSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002) require exposure to hazardous, potentially explosive substances to be prevented or minimised as much as possible, says Kevin.

The best way to do this is by installing an LEV system to extract and filter contaminated air at source this approach protects operatives by ensuring that the hazardous substance does not enter workplace air.

From the outset, it is vital to establish exactly what substances need removing. If the substance is classified as explosive, such as flour, wood or aluminum dust, ATEX rated explosion relief panels should be incorporated into the design of the LEV system. This can have implications on the position of the filtration unit - ideally the unit should be located outside so that in the event of an explosion occurring, the blast is outside away from works personnel, rather than inside, the factory.

However, when this isnt possible effective suppression systems should be incorporated into the system design.

Explosion relief panels are also a consideration for Filtermists LEV engineers during routine LEV Tests, as Jamie explains, We carry out a comprehensive risk assessment as part of all LEV Tests and if this shows that the system is being used to extract potentially explosive substances, we will check to make sure ATEX rated panels are in use.

If they are missing, we will include a recommendation that they need installing immediately in the report submitted to the customer. We strongly advise that all of our recommendations are acted on, but in hazardous environments this is even more important as it can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Correct design of all dust control systems is key as Kevin explains, We provide customised systems depending on specific client requirements and will select which dust filter is used depending on the characteristics of the dust that needs extracting.

The standard Adust range from Filtermists sister company Absolent AB offers airflows of up to 13500 m³/h depending on the type of particulate which is being filtered, and other filters are also available for larger airflows.These filters are ideal for a wide range of dry applications, but in certain situations a wet scrubber might be more appropriate.

As well as vented explosion relief panels, certified ATEX equipment including anti-static filter bags, earth bonds, and non-sparking components can all be used to handle potentially explosive particulate. Explosion isolation valves and possibly fire dampers should also be incorporated into the ducting to prevent propagation of explosions or fire spreading in the event of an incident.

We consider all aspects of the installation before recommending specific system components.

Stand-alone or central extraction system?

Another important factor when it comes to system design is whether a stand-alone filtration unit, or a centralised system drawing contaminated air from multiple pick-up points would be more effective. Again, this depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the job, says Kevin. The type and volume of contaminant, the number of extraction points required, available space, and budget will all have an impact on the final recommendation.

Legal requirements

Up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation is also key, continues Kevin. As well as a thorough working knowledge of regulations designed to control indoor air quality, if the extraction system is being vented outside, pollution prevention and control considerations must also be taken into account.

Performance monitoring

Once the extraction system has been installed, it is then the responsibility of the employer to ensure it consistently performs as intended. CoSHH regulation 9.2 requires most LEV systems to be tested by a competent person at least once every 14 months.

The engineer will use a variety of equipment including a rotating vane anemometer or a hot wire anemometer to measure velocity at the test point, and a pitot tube to test pressure. Readings will then be compared with data in the systems design specification and used as a benchmark to ensure performance is being maintained, Jamie comments.

As well as employers responsibilities under CoSHH regulations, employees are also required to play their part in safeguarding the workforce. Operatives are required to report forthwith any defects in the LEV system which could impact on its ability to work as intended.

Jamie elaborates on how this requirement can be achieved; There are a number of ways of checking that an LEV system is working correctly between routine LEV Tests. Daily checks should be carried out to look for any obvious signs of wear and tear, or indications that there may be contamination in the air.

Pressure gauges and airflow indicators can be used to clearly identify pressure drops or other potential issues with the system. Using a dust lamp makes it easy to see airborne particulate, as well as checking that the fan is drawing the contaminated air into the filtration system.

Smoke sticks can also be used to check the direction of extraction. Observations and data should be recorded in a log-book which can be used as an auditable trail in the event of any issues with the LEV system.

Air monitoring

Air monitoring is designed to ensure control measures are working as intended and employees are breathing air which is clean and safe. Static monitoring can be used to assess air quality in a specific area, whilst personal monitoring samples air in the operators breathing zone, says Jamie. The results are then compiled into a report which can be used to help employers ensure they are compliant with current legislation and fulfilling their duty of care to employees.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Reducing the instances of occupational lung disease caused by exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace is one of three key focuses of the HSEs current Health and Work strategy. According to HSE, in 2016 occupational respiratory disease was responsible for approximately 12,000 deaths in the UK; dust inhalation is a major contributory factor in this statistic.

HSEs Dust Hub provides extensive information and guidance for employers and employees.

Filtermists Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, concludes, All employers have a duty to protect people from exposure to dust particles - nowhere is this more important than in environments where potentially explosive dust is created.

Filtermist provides a comprehensive nationwide dust removal service for facilities of all sizes. From system design and installation, to routine maintenance, LEV testing and air monitoring our turnkey service ensures workers are safe.

Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk and www.multifansystems.co.uk.

Useful links

HSE provides extensive information designed to help both employers and employees, including the following resources which can all be accessed via its website:

· Safe handling of combustible dusts: Precautions against explosions

· Dust in the workplace - General principles of protection

· The dust lamp a simple tool for observing the presence of airborne particles

· Wood dust controlling the risks

· This short HSE film explains LEV in more detail.

Multi Fan Systems acquires Modus Air Ltd to support growth plans

Filtermist Limited — 27/10/2017

Filtermist subsidiary Multi Fan Systems has announced the acquisition of Birmingham firm Modus Air Ltd. as part of strategic growth plans.

Established in 1970, Modus Air specialises in dust and fume control, ventilation and heating for industrial clients, and has previously acted as a supplier for Filtermist.

The acquisition is designed to increase the companys presence across a number of key markets as Contracts Manager, Richard Field explains;

This deal will play a key role in supporting our aggressive growth ambitions. Multi Fan and Modus are aligned in a number of ways we offer similar services, operate in the same sectors and both provide a full turn-key service to clients. When we found out that owner Stephen Vallis was looking for a buyer so he could retire, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for us.

Stephen Vallis will work as a consultant with Multi Fan Systems for a six-month handover period before retiring in 2018. Stephen comments, I have worked with the Filtermist team for a number of years so I am confident that the business will be in safe hands."

Whilst this is the first acquisition Multi Fan Systems has made, it follows a number of acquisitions by Filtermist International the most recent being Stoke based Dustcheck which Filtermist acquired in September of this year.

James Stansfield, Managing Director at Filtermist International, says, We have extremely ambitious growth targets across a number of UK and overseas markets. Acquiring established companies and expanding the products and services we can offer is a key factor in our plans.

All acquisitions have been carefully selected to ensure they are the right fit for Filtermist and its customers. We are very clear on the strategy we are adopting and we are extremely excited about the direction we are moving in. Filtermist is a global market leader in oil mist removal and we are looking forward to evolving our reputation as a market leader in all types of industrial air filtration and extraction.

Multi Fan Systems was acquired by Filtermist International in November 2016 and has since increased its workforce by 33%. The company is on track to exceed its 2017 targets following contract wins with a number of high-profile organisations including Federal-Mogul and Ricoh Products (UK).

Find out more about Multi Fan Systems by visiting www.multifansystems.co.uk.

Filtertech goes full circle with acquisition by Filtermist

Filtermist Limited — 04/04/2016

Leading oil mist filters specialist, Filtermist International Ltd, is delighted to announce that it has acquired Wolverhampton based Filtertech Ltd to further bolster its service offering to UK customers.

As well as manufacturing a range of World renowned oil mist filtration units at its purpose built premises in Telford, Filtermist also provides a comprehensive after-sales service which is highly valued by customers and a key factor in a number of recent successful tenders.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield, comments, Filtermist is unique in the UK oil mist extraction market in that we offer a full turnkey package. In addition to manufacturing and marketing our products, we also provide a comprehensive specification, installation and commissioning service, as well as preventative maintenance packages and ancillary services including air monitoring and LEV testing.

Filtertech and Filtermist have an extensive history of working together; Filtertech was founded by Mike Allport a former employee of Filtermist and specifying, installing and servicing Filtermist oil mist filters and other extraction equipment is Filtertechs core business.

Filtertech has carved a niche for itself in offering many of the same services as Filtermist, but as well as Filtermist units it also supplies, installs and services other makes and models of equipment designed to remove airborne hazards from industrial workplaces, continues James. Combining Filtermists resources with Filtertechs expertise will offer all of our customers a number of benefits and will help us to meet the ambitious targets we have set for the business.

Mike Allport and Filtertech Ltd engineer, Tom Fish, will join Filtermists dedicated Install and Service department to ensure a seamless transition for Filtertech customers. Mike says, Filtermist has grown significantly since I established Filtertech and it has extremely exciting plans for the future. Tom and I are both looking forward to the opportunities this move will bring.

Filtermists skilled engineers cover the whole of the UK and use the latest digital technologies to make life as easy as possible for customers. Reports are emailed directly to the customer as soon as a job is completed minimising paperwork and making it easy to prove compliance with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) legislation if required.

As the UK distributor for sister company Absolent AB, Filtermist provides accredited service and maintenance for all Absolent extraction units. The Filtertech Ltd acquisition means this service offering now also extends to all makes of extraction equipment including Losma, Smog Hog, Nederman and Cleanmist.

Filtermist will be showcasing its wide-ranging service proposition at MACH 2016 taking place at the NEC in April. Find out more about Filtermist in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk, or call 01952 290500 to discuss Filtermists products and services with a member of the companys experienced team.

Team Filtermist takes on WOLF Run for Cancer Research

Filtermist Limited — 27/05/2016

A team of seven employees from Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist is gearing up to raise funds for Cancer Research by taking part in the 10k Summer Wolf Run mud run challenge in Leicestershire on 11^th June.

Matt Pearson, an International Distributor Manager at Filtermist, elaborates, Filtermist supports a wide-range of charities and other worthy organisations - this is a perfect opportunity for us to raise much-needed funds for this deserving cause.

WOLF is an acronym for Woods, Obstacles, Lakes and Fields all terrains which Team Filtermist will have to overcome in next months challenge.

Colleagues representing all areas of Filtermists business will be taking part in the event - from accounts and dispatch, to manufacturing, research and development and sales.

Matt says, Were all looking forward to a fun (and very muddy!) day and if we can raise some funds at the same time, even better. Were aiming to raise at least £500 and all donations, no matter how small, will be gratefully received.

Filtermist has paid the entry fee for the event if youd like to show your support for the team and help raise funds for Cancer Researchs life-changing work, please donate via the JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/Filtermist.

Filtermist appoints dedicated Portuguese distributor

Filtermist Limited — 02/06/2017

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist has appointed DRIFTEC Lda as a dedicated distributor in Portugal to ensure it is able to offer local support to Portuguese customers.

Portugals manufacturing industry, particularly its aerospace, automotive and metalworking sectors, offer significant potential for Filtermist. The appointment of a dedicated distributor means efforts can be focused on the local market and customers will be able to access technical and aftersales support throughout Portugal.

DRIFTEC specialises in industrial process optimization and represents a select number of recognised brands from Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Sweden. Filtermist identified DRIFTEC as a potential distributor by working closely with the Department for International Trade (DIT), both in the UK and Portugal, as International Distributor Manager Alison Green explains:

Following a meeting with Richard Smith, our local DIT representative, we began a conversation with his counterpart at the DIT in Portugal. We then worked closely together to identify potential distributors which would fit well with Filtermist.

DRIFTEC stood out due to its professional approach and the fact that it prides itself on carrying an exclusive product portfolio.

Filtermist works with a network of more than 50 global distributors in 60 countries worldwide and has worked with the DIT on numerous occasions to identify the right caliber partners.

Alison continues, Working with the DIT was pivotal to this project. Richards input is always invaluable, and the support we received from Zélia Henriques and Carlos Fernandes from DIT Portugal was extremely helpful. Their local knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile were key factors in us securing the appointment of DRIFTEC.

DRIFTEC is headed up by Commercial Director Constâncio Cardoso who comments, DRIFTEC believes quality is more important than quantity our ethos is to offer a select range of quality products that are proven worldwide, always with a good service, as a partner. Filtermist oil mist collectors are a recognised global market leader and we are delighted to be able to offer them to customers in Portugal.

Portugals buoyant automotive sector is home to five leading OEMs including Volkswagen which operates the AutoEuropaAutomóveis, Lda. assembly plant in Palmela. PSA Peugeot Citroen, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Toyota also have production operations in Portugal. The OEM presence means there is also a substantial supply chain in Portugal all of which offers opportunities for Filtermist.

Automotive is a key sector for Filtermist - our oil mist collectors are trusted by many of the worlds leading OEMs and their supply chains, continues Alison. We are already working with one of Portugals major Tier 1 automotive component manufacturers and were looking forward to developing an ongoing partnership with DRIFTEC to help increase awareness of both the importance of effective oil mist extraction and the Filtermist brand.

Find out more about Filtermist worldwide by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Factors to consider before investing in an air extraction and filtration system

Filtermist Limited — 28/07/2016

Exposure to airborne oil mist, dust, smoke and fume particles commonly found in manufacturing facilities can cause a number of occupational diseases including skin conditions, respiratory problems and even cancer.

Protecting people from harm is vital for all employers and when it comes to making sure the air in factories is fit for breathing, manufacturers have a number of choices.

Oil mist and other harmful airborne hazards used to be removed using general ventilation, but this method is now generally discredited as it is not very effective. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) which captures, contains and treats contaminated air at source before it has an opportunity to escape into the wider working environment, is now the industry standard and recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

If manufacturers decide to install an LEV system there are three further options. They can choose local extraction which typically consists of one or two filtration units located on or next to each individual machine tool, cell-based extraction which can be used for manufacturing cells consisting of between three and ten machine tools, or they can opt for a centralised extraction system that removes contaminated air from large numbers of machine tools.

All options have their own merits depending on the nature of the business. For example, some aerospace manufacturers such as Moog Aircraft Group prefer standalone systems as this approach allows the flexibility for their workshops to be re-configured for different projects if required. On the other hand, automotive manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rovers Engine Manufacturing Centre sometimes choose centralised extraction systems as their production lines are static.

Chris Harper, Project Manager for oil mist extraction systems specialist Filtermist, was responsible for securing and overseeing the specification, design, supply, installation and commissioning of an extensive centralised extraction system installed at Jaguar Land Rovers Engine Manufacturing Centre.

This system is used to remove oil mist from the engine manufacturing processes throughout the 100,000m² facility and includes over 2.5km of clip ducting connected to 24 Absolent A.smoke80T filtration units and four A.Dust5 units.

Outlined below are ten factors that Chris advises should be taken into consideration when designing an extraction system.

What materials are being processed (steel, aluminium)?
What contaminants needs extracting (oil mist, smoke, dust or fume)?
What type of machining processes are you intending to run with (wet, dry, MQL)?
Will the extraction system need to comply with the ATEX Workplace Directive?
What type of machine tools are used?
How many machine tools need extracting from? Is this number likely to change in the foreseeable future?
Are there any open or partially enclosed machines?
Is the machine shop frequently re-configured or is it a static production line?
How will the system be controlled (inverter driven PLCs)? Damper control valves should be considered to create a smart energy efficient system
Should the clean air be returned to the factory or exhausted outdoors?

The answers to these questions will help you to decide on how your extraction system should be configured to ensure it meets your specific requirements and effectively cleans the air in your workplace.

It should also be noted that COSHH regulations require most LEV systems to be tested at least once every 14 months by a competent person. If you suspect that your extraction system is not performing effectively, a simple reading using an air monitoring device will either dispel or confirm your suspicion. It is always best to err on the side of caution to ensure workers are not exposed to harmful airborne contaminants.

Filtermist is part of the Swedish Absolent Group which also owns Absolent AB. Filtermist is an Absolent accredited UK distributor and provides a comprehensive aftersales service including routine maintenance and COSHH compliant LEV Testing for all types of LEV systems.

Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Filtermist steams ahead with local students in Bridgnorth Art Trail

Filtermist Limited — 14/08/2018

Shropshire based industrial air filtration specialist Filtermist International has started its 50th anniversary celebrations early with the unveiling of its ‘Filtermist Steams Ahead’ statue – one of 12 uniquely decorated statues in the Bridgnorth Art Trail project.

Filtermist was approached by Bridgnorth Councillor Sarah Stevens earlier this year to find out if it was interested in taking part in the Art Trail.Organisers were looking for local organisations and firms who would be willing to sponsor a statue which would form a walking trail around the town to provide a free activity for local people and visitors to the area.

Filtermist thought that this would be a great way of giving something back to the local community where it was founded almost 50 years ago as Managing Director James Stansfield explains, “Filtermist was established in Bridgnorth in 1969 and as we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary next year, taking part in the Art Trail is one of the ways we will be marking this momentous milestone. We have grown enormously over the past 49 years and now sell our products, which are all still manufactured just down the road in Telford, into more than 60 countries worldwide.

“We are very proud of our heritage and it’s always a great talking point with our global distributors when they come to visit us. Having a statue dedicated to Filtermist offers an opportunity to show both local people and visitors a little about what we do and acts as a reminder of the diversity of successful Shropshire based businesses.”

The statue design is based around the iconic ‘Catch-Me-Who-Can’ locomotive which was built at the Hazledine foundry in Bridgnorth in 1808 and was the world’s first fare paying passenger locomotive. Each statue was cast by local firm Grainger and Worrall and then painted individually by various local artists to represent the companies who have sponsored them. Filtermist decided that it would like to give the opportunity to a group of sixth form art students from Bridgnorth Endowed School.

The design brief was put together and the students were invited to visit Filtermist’s headquarters in Telford to get a feel for the company and to see exactly what it is that Filtermist does! They developed the brief into a design which Filtermist approved and the fun began. “We are really pleased with the finished statue,” continues James. “The students have done an excellent job in translating the brief into a design which showcases both our roots and our global presence. We are very grateful to both the students and their teacher Mrs Rhodes for working so hard on our behalf.”

Other statue sponsors include Bridgnorth Aluminium, Grainger and Worrall, AV Birch and Bridgnorth Rugby Club who recently met at a preview event for sponsors and artists. The reception was held at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology (MCMT) which has played a pivotal role in this project.

The students from Bridgnorth Endowed School also worked on the Grainger and Worrall statue. Mrs Rhodes comments, “We were absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work with local businesses and translate real life design briefs into 3D art which will be on show for the next five years. “All of the students involved have really enjoyed the experience and are proud of the personal contribution they have made to this fabulous project.”

The statues have been placed around Bridgnorth contributing to the town’s heritage and cultural offering – the aptly named ‘Filtermist Steams Ahead’ statue is located at Fox Corner.

The statues form part of a two-mile walking trail which includes an anagram game for families and tourists to solve on their way around.

Filtermist units replaced in machine shop re-vamp for Boneham and Turner

Filtermist Limited — 06/06/2016

Filtermist oil mist filters have a deserved reputation for their robust construction and reliability, but the Telford based manufacturer was still pleased to hear that three of its units had been operational for more than 30 years for component manufacturer and fellow Made in the Midlands member, Boneham & Turner.

Established in 1918 and still owned and run by the same family, Boneham & Turner manufactures and supplies a range of tooling components and precision engineered components at its Nottinghamshire production facility.

In recent years the forward-thinking company has ploughed significant investment into ensuring it has the most up to date machinery and systems in order to provide the highest quality service possible to its UK and international customers.

The latest phase of Boneham & Turners machine shop modernisation programme included replacing three F28 units installed in the 1980s with two FX7002s. The FX7002 units extract oil mist from four centerless grinders and were installed by Filtermists dedicated install engineers.

The installation involved mounting the Filtermist's on floor stands and connecting them to fishtail capture hoods over the top of each machine using flexible and solid ducting. The multi-point extraction system also incorporates fire dampers, designed to close the extraction system down should a fire break out in the machine tool.

Boneham & Turners Managing Director, Peter Boneham, comments, Our old Filtermist units had served us extremely well, but we decided it was definitely time for an upgrade so we contacted Filtermist and everyone we have come into contact with since then has provided a first rate service.

Following an initial site visit to identify what type of extraction would be best for our grinding cell, Filtermist advised us to go with the FX7002s and we are extremely happy with the results. The install engineers were really helpful and explained what they were doing every step of the way and the after-sales service has been excellent. Most importantly, the Filtermist units are doing their job and effectively removing all of the oil mist generated by our four grinders - keeping the air in our machine shop clean.

The popular FX7002 units use high-efficiency IE3 rated motors and provide airflow of up to 2750m³/hr. The installation for Boneham & Turner included fitting F Monitor monitoring systems to each unit to allow the machine operators to make sure the extraction is working properly. A simple coloured warning lights system shows if the Filtermist needs servicing or if any of the filters are blocked.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield, says, Filtermist was established in 1969 and this isnt the first time weve come across a case of such old units still in working order. We were contacted by a company a couple of years ago trying to source replacement parts for another unit which was 40 years old and still in good working order that particular unit is now situated in our training room as a reminder of just how much history and experience the company has in effective oil mist extraction.

Boneham & Turner also has a service agreement with Filtermist so that all of its oil mist filters operate as effectively as possible, ensuring compliance with COSHH regulations. Filtermists dedicated Service team arranges maintenance visits at regular intervals, giving Boneham & Turner one less thing to have to remember.

More examples of Filtermist oil mist filters used in grinding applications can be found by visiting http://www.filtermist.com/applications/grinding/.

Manufacturers warned about change in mild steel welding fume legislation

Filtermist Limited — 05/03/2019

Manufacturers that operate mild steel welding could fall foul of a change in enforcement expectations that has recently been announced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Filtermist subsidiary Multi-Fan Systems, a specialist in customised air movement, filtration and extraction systems, has made the rallying call in a bid to educate industry on the importance of providing clean working environments for their staff.

New scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggests that exposure to all welding fume, including mild steel, can cause lung cancer - with limited evidence also linking it to kidney cancer.

The HSE will now be strengthening its enforcement expectation for all welding fume, as it believes general ventilation does not achieve the necessary control.

“There are lots of companies out there that may not know that guidance has changed and the enforcement is now stronger,” explained Chris Harper, General Manager at Telford-based Multi-Fan Systems.

“This could be a very expensive oversight and, more importantly, can put staff at risk if the right ventilation controls aren’t used.”

He continued: “Under the new HSE guidance, manufacturers who weld mild steel now have to put in place engineering controls for all indoor welding activities. The safety alert issued earlier this month includes the following ‘regardless of duration, HSE will no longer accept any welding undertaken without any suitable exposure control measures in place, as there is no known level of safe exposure’.

“Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is widely recognised as the most effective option for removing fume from workplace air. Extraction will also have to control exposure to manganese, which can cause neurological effects similar to Parkinson’s disease.”

A Manufacturing Statistics report released by the HSE late last year states that ‘Annually, around 4,000 workers were suffering with breathing and lung problems caused or made worse by their work.’

The HSE is currently focusing on reducing the rate of occupational lung disease as a part of its ‘Go Home Healthy’ initiative.

Multi-Fan Systems, which is located in a state-of-the-art manufacturing and technical facility in the heart of the West Midlands, provides a single-source solution for customers looking to benefit from cleaner, safer and more productive working environments.

The company’s experienced team provides a full turnkey solution - from designing and specifying the right fume extraction equipment, to installation, commissioning and ongoing monitoring - to ensure installations are performing as intended.

“There are a lot of benefits to ensuring workplaces benefit from good quality air - not least on the morale and health of staff so they are happy and more productive. That’s not even taking into account days no longer lost due to ill health,” added Chris.

“We can give you peace of mind that you’ll have the best, fully compliant fume extraction system for your specific requirements. Our proven track record in completing turnkey projects on time and to budget speaks for itself, including high-profile contracts with Cummins, Ricoh and the University of Birmingham.”

Multi-Fan Systems is part of the global Absolent Group that comprises the strengths of air filtration specialists Absolent AB, Avani Environmental, Bristol T&G International GmbH, Filtermist,Dustcheck, DCS Limited and Cades, as well as Ecogate and Gallito.

For further information, please visit www.multifansystems.co.uk or follow @multifansystems on twitter.

The HSE Safety Alert can be found by following this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/mild-steel-welding-fume.htm.

More details on the HSE’s Go Home Healthy campaign can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/gohomehealthy/lungs.htm

Filtermist moves into new market with Dustcheck acquisition

Filtermist Limited — 20/09/2017

Telford based industrial air filtration specialist Filtermist International, part of the Swedish Absolent Group, is delighted to announce that it has acquired dust removal expert Dustcheck Limited in a deal worth £2.3m.

Established in 1978, Dustcheck manufactures industrial dust collectors and industrial air filtration systems at its premises in Stoke-on-Trent. The acquisition by Filtermist is designed to significantly strengthen the companys service offering in the UKs dust extraction market as part of strategic growth plans.

Filtermist Managing Director James Stansfield comments, Filtermist is the UK market leader for oil mist extraction and began expanding its service proposition to include dust, fume and smoke when it became part of the Absolent Group in 2010.

The companys capabilities increased again with the acquisition of Filtertech Ltd and Multi Fan Systems last year; the deal with Dustcheck will further strengthen our dust extraction offering particularly in large, centralised extraction systems.

Filtermist has an extremely ambitious growth strategy and we are confident that this latest acquisition will play a key role in ensuring the company meets its targets.

Filtermist International is currently enjoying record growth sales increased by 30% between 2015 and 2016 and acquisitions are a key factor in the companys plans for the future.

Increasing capability in dust extraction is a natural progression for Filtermist the company has distributed dust extraction filters from sister firm Absolent AB since 2010, and dust control accounts for a significant proportion of the centralised extraction systems designed and installed by Multi Fan Systems.

When the opportunity to acquire Dustcheck arose, Filtermist quickly realised that it had the potential to fit extremely well with the companys existing business.

Finding a suitable business with a similar ethos to Filtermists was very important, continues James.When we started looking at Dustcheck as a potential acquisition for Filtermist it became apparent that there are a number of synergies between the two companies.

We are both forward thinking UK manufacturers with extensive experience in our respective industries, we both offer a full turnkey service and we both recognise the value of offering extensive aftersales support. And, probably most importantly of all, both companies also place great value on recruiting and retaining the best people for the job.

Filtermist is extremely excited by this deal and we are confident that it will result in continued growth for both companies.

Ensuring the fit was right was also a priority for Dustcheck founders, Ed and Di Spires. Ed comments, As a family run business Dustcheck has played a significant role in both mine and my wife Dis lives. We have spent the last 39 years building the company into one of the UKs leading dust extraction providers and we are very proud of our achievements.

We wanted to be sure that whoever took Dustcheck on would continue to operate it in the same spirit that we have. We were delighted when Filtermist expressed an interest as it has an excellent reputation in its field and a clear ambition to successfully extend its capabilities into removing a wide range of airborne contaminants in addition to oil mist.

Ed and Di Spires will be retiring from Dustcheck, whilst all other staff including the existing management team, will remain at the companys Stoke office.

Find out more about Filtermists UK operation by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk, or go to www.dustcheck.com for information about Dustchecks products and services.

Filtermist to demonstrate full service capability at MACH

Filtermist Limited — 06/04/2016

Leading industrial air filtration specialist Filtermist will be showcasing its wide ranging expertise on stand 5044 and will also have a dedicated Coolant Control stand (4793) at MACH 2016.

Filtermist has a world renowned reputation for the effectiveness of its compact oil mist filters, but the company also offers a number of other products and services to UK customers.

Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, says, MACH is an excellent opportunity to highlight the full extent of our capabilities. Our business is based on manufacturing robust products that effectively remove oil mist from workshop environments, but we also have a wealth of expertise in a number of associated areas.

All of the products and services we offer are designed to help protect people by ensuring cleaner, safer workshops, as well as reducing production downtime. From machine operators to workshop managers everyone benefits.

As the UK distributor for sister company Absolent AB, Filtermist supplies the full range of Absolent dust, fume, oil mist and smoke filtration units and its engineers are accredited by Absolent to service systems to ensure they maintain optimum efficiency.

Filtermist also provides a bespoke Central Systems service. Systems ranging from one filtration unit connected to multiple pick-up points, to many units removing different types of contaminant have been specified, designed, installed and commissioned for a growing number of customers. This short film provides more details:

Dedicated trading division Direct Filtration, which was first launched at MACH 2014, has gone from strength to strength over the past two years with sales increasing by 17%. Direct Filtration specialises in supplying a range of non-woven filter materials and filter rolls, backed by extensive industry expertise to ensure customers are using the best products for their specific requirements.

Product Manager, Grant Tyrer, comments, Using the right filtration products can bring a number of benefits including longer coolant life, better surface finish for components and reduced costs, as well as providing cleaner working environments.

We offer free process improvement reviews to identify any areas where changes could be made to help production managers achieve their goals an approach which is highly valued by our customers.

Filtermist will also be reminding MACH visitors that it offers full service provision, air monitoring and LEV testing for all makes and models of LEV equipment not just Filtermist and Absolent units.

Stuart continues, Regular maintenance is important for all machinery to ensure it operates as intended at all times. Our service engineers cover the whole of the UK and provide digital reports to make admin easier.

As COSHH regulations require most LEV systems to be tested at least once every 14 months, our service makes it simple for customers to remain compliant and be able to prove it!

Find out more about Filtermist in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or call 01952 290500 to discuss any aspects of the companys products and services.

IMTEX debut for Filtermist as it targets 30% growth in India

Filtermist Limited — 22/01/2019

Specialist in providing cleaner, safer and more productive work environments, Filtermist is turning to the sub-continent as it looks to continue with its global growth strategy.

This week (January 24-30), the Telford-based company is exhibiting at the IMTEX 2019 event at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) as it looks to implement ambitious plans to expand its business in India by 30%.

Filtermist, which employs more than 90 people across its UK headquarters and five international offices, is looking to tap into the sub-continent’s growing desire to improve its environmental performance.

The company is making its debut (Hall 4, Stand A122b) at the global event for the Indian metal cutting sector and will be showcasing its industry-leading oil mist filters that remove oil and coolant mist, fume and steam from the air in industrial workplaces.

The event marks three decades of trade in India and comes a few weeks after Filtermist’s parent company, the Absolent Group, registered Absolent Filtermist India PVT Ltd, which now operates from a sales and technical office in New Delhi.

“Our export sales have risen significantly in recent years and we are seeing strong demand from customers in India and other Asian manufacturing hotspots,” said Stuart Plimmer, Director of Group International Sales at Filtermist.

“The new office and our appearance at IMTEX underline our confidence in the region and the level of investment we are prepared to put in, in order to grow our business by 30%.”

He continued: “Improving productivity by making the workplace environment cleaner is a key target for industry and our products help them achieve this goal. Clean air means better staff performance/morale and less chance of employees losing days through sickness.”

Ashutosh Arora, Filtermist’s National Business Development Manager in India, added: “Our FX and S Series products are proving increasingly popular with our manufacturers. They are compact, easy to fit and deliver airflow performance up to 2750m3/per hour.”

Filtermist is part of the global Absolent Group that comprises the strengths of air filtration specialists Absolent AB, Bristol GmbH, Dustcheck and project management experts Multi-Fan Systems. Services offered include oil mist, smoke and fume extraction, dust control, VOC abatement and industrial ventilation.

In the UK, project teams comprising individuals from all Absolent Group companies work together to offer a single source solution for customers looking to benefit from cleaner, safer and more productive working environments.

For further information, please visit www.filtermist.com or follow @filtermistint on twitter.

Pictured are Stuart Plimmer and Ashutosh Arora.

Oil mist exposure - HSE hype or a real health hazard?

Filtermist Limited — 08/08/2022

Having worked in the field of oil mist extraction for over 50 years, Telford based Filtermist is the first to recognise that investing in a new oil mist filter does not cause the same level of excitement as the arrival of a new machine tool. However, it is a necessary purchase – not only from a regulatory perspective, but also as part of the duty of care which all employers have to their employees.

In Great Britain, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been focussing on reducing cases of work-related lung-disease as a key strand in its current workplan ‘Helping GB work well’. For manufacturing and engineering businesses this means actively encouraging employers to fit and use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to control exposure to metalworking fluids and weld fume.

This approach has met with some resistance from industry – particularly from companies which may only use their CNC machines sporadically and see little harm from small quantities of airborne oil mist. There has also been lively discussion around time delays recommended by the HSE before opening the machine tool doors, as any additional time requirement affects cycle-time which in turn affects productivity.

Anecdotally, there is also the perception that the HSE is ‘using this issue to pay wages’. However, whilst Government funding was significantly reduced from 2010 onwards, the HSE still currently receives two-thirds of its funding from Government.

The current economic situation means it is not surprising that many businesses are looking at ways of cutting costs; equipment which is deemed ‘non-essential’ or which doesn’t tangibly contribute to the bottom line is often one of the first items to be removed from planned spend, and any ‘unnecessary expenditure’ can be viewed with cynicism.

This topic is often discussed in industry forums, including social media where someone recently posted:

‘Not one case of occupational asthma caused by soluble coolant’

However, this is not true. The workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 5mg/m3 for oil mist particles was withdrawn in 2005 following an outbreak of respiratory illnesses at Powertrain Ltd, the engine building division of MG Rover, on the former Longbridge site in the West Midlands. This extract from the TUC (Trade Union Congress) website provides more details on this case:

After years of complaints by Unite, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2004 reported about 12 per cent of staff had been affected by work-related asthma or extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). In 2006, HSE revealed mist from metalworking machines had caused the disease outbreak, which had led to 101 workers being affected. HSE said the metalworking fluids had not been controlled effectively, allowing the build-up and continued growth of bacteria and other potentially harmful substances. In 2007, HSE said 87 workers had been struck down with occupational asthma and 24 with EAA, with the worst affected hit by both diseases.

2006 saw another high-profile case where a Buckinghamshire based aeronautics manufacturer was fined £800,000 for breaching the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 which resulted in three workers developing extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The workers were exposed to metalworking fluids for at least three years and their employer failed to properly assess the risk, or provide regular health surveillance.

The HSE’s definition of EEA is as follows:

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) refers to a group of lung diseases that can develop after exposure to certain substances. The name describes the origin and the nature of these diseases:

'extrinsic' - caused by something originating outside the body
'allergic' - an abnormally increased (hypersensitive) body reaction to a common substance
'alveolitis' - inflammation in the small air sacs of the lungs (alveoli)

Symptoms can include fever, cough, worsening breathlessness and weight loss. The diagnosis of the disease is based on a history of symptoms after exposure to the allergen and a range of clinical tests which usually includes X-rays or CT scans, lung function and blood tests.

EAA is not a 'new' occupational respiratory disease and occupational causes include bacteria, fungi, animal proteins, plants and chemicals.

Global perspective

The HSE is not alone in its view of the potential dangers of exposure to oil mist particles.

Filtermist oil mist filters are trusted by world-leading manufacturers in more than 60 countries, many of which have their own regulations and exposure limits which companies are required to adhere to. Some of the strictest limits are in Europe – Sweden has a WEL for oil mist of 1mg/m3, whilst France is 0.5mg/m3, but many French companies use just 0.1mg/m3 as a benchmark.

Most adults breathe in and out between 12-20 times per minute when resting. That equates to 17,280 or 28,800 breaths per day - or an average of 23,040 breaths per day. That breaks down into 960 breaths per hour. Multiplying this figure by an average 8 hour working day shows that workers operating in polluted environments are potentially breathing in 7,680 breaths of contaminated air every working day!

Regardless of regulations, we believe it is every employer’s duty to protect their people from exposure to potentially harmful airborne oil mist particles. It is also worth noting that as well as safeguarding employee health, removing oil mist from the workplace does have other benefits such as reducing cleaning bills and fire risks, helping to ensure consistent component quality, and supporting employee recruitment and retention.

Even though COSHH Regulations have been in force since 1988, the UK’s manufacturing industry still has some way to go in dispelling the stereotypical image of dirty and unhealthy workplaces if it wishes to attract young engineers into the sector. Ensuring the air is clean is one way of doing this.

According to the HSE Manufacturing Statistics in Great Britain, 2021, report: Annually around 4,000 workers were suffering with breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by their work (new and long-standing cases).

The chest physician reporting scheme suggests that manufacturing has a rate of occupational asthma about 5 times higher than the All Industries average. The most common causes of occupational asthma include isocyanates, flour dust, solder/colophony, wood dust and cutting oils and coolants; these are exposures often found in manufacturing.

Contact our UK team to find out how Filtermist can help ensure the air in your machine shop is clean and safe to breathe, and your people are protected from exposure to hazardous particulate matter. Call Filtermist on +44 (0)1952 290500, email sales@filtermist.com or visit www.filtermist.co.uk.

Sources

https://www.ioshmagazine.com/aeronautics-manufacturer-fined-metalworking-fluid-exposure-now-setting-standard

https://resources.hse.gov.uk/convictions-history/breach/breach_details.asp?SF=BID&SV=4442336002

https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/payouts-agreed-autoworker-lung-disease

https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/4289/Health-and-safety-and-the-Health-and-Safety-Executive-What-the-spending-cuts-will-mean-Dec-10/pdf/hsecuts_allpartygroupreport.pdf

https://www.hse.gov.uk/lung-disease/extrinsic-allergic-alveolitis.htm

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/272308/6867.pdf

https://www.hse.gov.uk/strategy/assets/docs/hse-helping-great-britain-work-well-strategy-2016.pdf

https://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/og/og-00122.pdf

https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/manufacturing.pdf

Why ATEX Certified Type H Industrial Vacuums are a must for Additive Manufacturers

Filtermist Limited — 14/07/2022

All employers have a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to protect employees and other stakeholders from a variety of occupational hazards.

At first glance, it could be reasonable to think that the main source of risk for people in the Additive Manufacturing (AM) industry is from fume and other emissions generated during 3D printing, but there are also other risks which need considering.

DSEAR 2002

Some AM processes can create non-conductive combustible plastic powder dust which must be safely removed once the process is complete. The potentially explosive nature of this particulate matter means it is necessary to use ATEX certified equipment which has been proven to comply with the requirements of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002.

ATEX has been a mandatory legal requirement in the EU since 2003. The term ATEX covers two EU Directives - Directive 2014/34/EU which covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and the ATEX Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC which covers the minimum requirements for improving the level of health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. In Great Britain, the requirements of Directive 99/92/EC are enforced under DSEAR 2002.

DSEAR requires all mechanical equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres to meet EN ISO 80079-36:2016 and EN ISO 80079-37:2016. In practical terms with regards to vacuum cleaners, this includes fully conductive elements including hoses, brushes, castors and wheels, as well as stainless steel canisters and caddies.

COSHH Regulations 2002

Although the 3D printing industry is relatively new, it is widely acknowledged that exposure to polymer dust can be harmful to human health if breathed in or ingested and therefore needs to be controlled under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002.

Type H vacuums are specifically designed to safely collect hazardous dusts thanks to three stages of filtration on the negative pressure side of the motor. These include a sealable disposable microfibre bag, a High Efficiency Filter Assembly using a filter medium that is specially designed as a pre-filter material for HEPA filters, and finally an oversized HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) cartridge filter.

Ben Kimpton, Product Manager for UK manufactured Kerstar Industrial Vacuums, comments, “In addition to ensuring compliance with H&S regulations, using a Type H cleaner can also provide a variety of other benefits including less time spent cleaning in and around Additive Manufacturing machines. This is the case for Swedish AM company AMEXCI which recently trialled a Kerstar KEVA 45H and reported a significant reduction in cleaning time.

AMEXCI Application Engineer, Marcus Axelsson, elaborates, “The fine and static nature of the nylon powders used in our P396 machine means it can spread all over the working area including the exterior of the machines, the floor, the walls etc.

“Our old vacuum struggled to cope with the static powder, but the Kerstar KEVA does an excellent job of removing even the smallest traces of powder and means we no longer have to wet wipe after vacuuming – this makes it a lot quicker to clean up at the end of every day.”

Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners have been manufactured in the UK for more than 60 years - click the links to find out more about Kerstar’s KEVA and KAV Type H ATEX vacuums, or to find details of your local distributor.

New distributor appointed in Mexico

Filtermist Limited — 19/12/2016

Telford based oil mist collectors manufacturer Filtermist International has appointed a new distributor to help increase its share of the Mexican oil mist removal market.

Nuevo León based Hertool S.A. DE C.V. has more than 13 years experience in the metalworking industry, distributing products from a wide range of suppliers throughout Mexico.

Filtermist has sold its products into Mexico through US distributor Royal Products for a number of years and the countrys buoyant aerospace and automotive markets have resulted in significant additional opportunities for Filtermist, hence the appointment of another distributor.

The contract with Hertool was finalised following support from the Department for International Trade (DIT) Mexico who worked closely with Filtermist to ensure it found a suitable distributor with the capability to help increase the companys share of the thriving Mexican market.

Filtermists Business Development Manager Chris Harper met with Armando Lince, Hertools CEO and Founder, and Luis Lince, Hertools Commercial Director, alongside representatives from the Automotive Investment Organisation (part of the UKs DIT) to sign the official distributor contract in a ceremony at the British Consulate. The event was also attended by Mr. Andrew Morris, British Consul in Monterrey and Deputy Head of the Commercial Section (DIT Mexico).

Chris Harper comments, Filtermist oil mist collectors are trusted by leading manufacturers in over 60 countries worldwide to effectively remove harmful oil mist particles, fume and steam from workshop air protecting people from health, slip and fire hazards, and ensuring sensitive equipment is not damaged by airborne contaminants.

Mexicos booming manufacturing sector offers substantial potential for Filtermist and we are delighted to have appointed Hertool as a Filtermist distributor.

Mexico is one of a number of key global markets that offers opportunities for Filtermist. The Swedish owned company has recently returned from successfully exhibiting at JIMTOF in Japan, new distributors have been appointed throughout the ASEAN region in recent years, and a dedicated Chinese Business Development Manager based in Shanghai is helping to grow Filtermists share of the extensive Chinese market.

Global automotive and aerospace industries are key to Filtermists continued expansion as Chris explains, Filtermist and its network of global distributors already work with some of the biggest names in automotive and aerospace including BAE Systems, General Motors, JLR, Nissan and Mercedes Benz.

We will be taking part in the Automotive Meetings in Queretaro in February (20^th-22^nd) with Hertool and we are looking forward to demonstrating how Filtermist units can play a part in protecting Mexican workers by ensuring the air they breathe is clean.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Global growth drives Filtermist investment in automation

Filtermist Limited — 27/04/2017

Telford based oil mist collectors manufacturer Filtermist has invested in an ABB robot for its welding department as part of the companys continuous improvement policy.

The investment follows sustained global growth which saw Filtermists sales increase by 23% last year. Managing Director James Stansfield elaborates, Filtermist oil mist collectors are currently available in more than 60 countries and we are constantly growing awareness of the Filtermist brand around the world, as well as our international distributor network.

This has resulted in a significant rise in sales and we have a number of plans in place to ensure we are able to meet the increasing demand for our products without compromising on quality.

Every Filtermist oil mist filter is manufactured in the UK by Filtermists highly skilled employees, some of whom have been making Filtermist units for almost 30 years, using traditional metalworking skills including spinning and welding.

The robot has been installed to TIG weld the internal drums and outer cases - cylindrical steel blanks are positioned on the turntable inside the dedicated welding cell and the robot applies the weld whilst the table slowly rotates. Each cycle lasts for approximately 2-3 minutes which is not much quicker than human capability, but increases productivity by enabling skilled workers to undertake other jobs such as planishing and linishing.

Manufacturing Manager Brian Lowe, explains, Robots are used to carry out a wide range of tasks in a number of manufacturing sectors, including automotive which is a key market for Filtermist.

The robot has been welcomed by the manufacturing team, which recognises the benefits of utilising the latest technologies to ensure Filtermist remains a market leader around the world. We have had reports of Filtermist units still operational after 30 years and we are all very proud to be playing a role in protecting other manufacturers from exposure to potentially harmful oil mist.

The addition of the robot is the first significant capital investment the company has made since it moved to new purpose built premises in 2015. James continues, As with all manufacturers, when we moved to Telford we wanted the transition to be as seamless as possible, but were now in a position to be able to identify areas of our operations which could be improved.

Filtermist sourced the robot through Cannock based WG Automation, a fellow Made in the Midlands member, following a conversation at a breakfast event it hosted in 2016. WG specified the model, oversaw the installation and provided ongoing support to ensure the ABB was operating exactly as Filtermist intended.

We are very pleased with the installation of our first robot and we are confident that it will play an important role in helping Filtermist to increase its market share around the world, concludes James.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Expert calls on Filtermist’s oil mist removal expertise

Filtermist Limited — 22/06/2016

Expert Tooling and Automation Ltd successfully turned to Made in the Midlands member Filtermist to help it remove oil mist from the air in its machine shop - enabling production to continue before air quality became an issue.

Coventry based Expert has ploughed significant investment into its facilities in recent years, including the purchase of a double column machining centre to strengthen its capabilities in manufacturing parts for the aerospace and automotive sectors.

Shortly after the machine was commissioned, Craig Forster Expert Groups Facilities Manager, realised that the volume of oil mist in the air was higher than before, so he contacted Filtermist to find out if a solution could be identified.

Following a site visit Filtermist advised that installing two FX7002 oil mist filters, in combination with a specially designed air curtain to push the contaminated air up into an extraction hood, would be the most cost-effective resolution.

Craig takes up the story, The open nature of the machine meant that the coolant mist was escaping into the air and causing a visible problem. We needed to identify a solution quickly to enable us to use the machine as intended.

The machining centre has a 23m³ enclosure and uses soluble coolant, so the extraction and filtration system needed to achieve four air changes per minute in order to ensure the air quality meets with HSG258 guidelines.

Filtermists FX7002 is designed to handle airflow of up to 2750m³/hr without taking up any valuable floor space, and coupled with the air curtain and hood, provides high-performance extraction which has completely resolved the oil mist issue for Expert.

Filtermists dedicated install engineers mounted the two FX7002s directly to the machining centre and located the air curtain at the opposite end of the machine to contain the air within a specified area.

The installation was so successful that Expert has subsequently taken up service agreements with Filtermist and has also signed up to regular LEV testing for all of its LEV systems to ensure that it remains compliant with COSHH regulations.

Craig continues, We already had a Filtermist FX4002 on an XYZ Proturn 425SLX so were confident that Filtermist would be able to help us. We are really pleased with the service provided by Filtermist as we were literally unable to use the machine beforehand.

Craig was so impressed with Filtermists service that he has also confirmed Expert will trial Piranha-Cooling Line, a new coolant control range designed to handle pressures of over 5 bar, available exclusively through Filtermist in the UK.

Filtermists Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, says, This is an excellent example of a company that already knows Filtermist for its oil mist removal expertise and is now using more of our products and services thanks to the level of customer service it has received from the Filtermist team.

From oil mist contamination problem solving, equipment supply and installation, to routine maintenance, LEV testing and coolant control products, Experts experience with Filtermist is testimony to our ability to help manufacturers achieve cleaner, safer, more productive workshops.

Find out more about the products and services Filtermist offers in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Kamogawa Vietnam appointment supplements strong Filtermist presence in ASEAN region

Filtermist Limited — 23/08/2017

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist International is delighted to announce that Kamogawa Vietnam has joined its growing distributor network in the ASEAN region.

Established in Japan in 1949, Kamogawa works closely with a number of Japanese machine tool manufacturers, including Star Micronics and Tsugami, to ensure its customers can access the best quality machine tools and after sales services.

ASEAN countries offer significant potential for Filtermist, says Filtermist Asias Business Development Manager, Desmond Teo. Our strategy is to work with different types of companies to ensure customers have as many opportunities as possible to encounter Filtermist and find out about the benefits of using our oil mist collectors.

Our distributors in Vietnam include an environmental pollution control specialist, and cutting tools and metalworking fluids suppliers. The addition of Kamogawa means we are working with a machine tool distributor with an excellent reputation for providing a full service for customers.

Filtermist oil mist collectors effectively remove oil and coolant mist, fume and steam generated in a wide range of manufacturing applications including grinding, turning, milling, parts washing and EDM / spark erosion. If left in the atmosphere, oil mist can cause a number of health issues and can also pose a fire and slip hazard.

All manufacturers that use machine tools for metalworking should ensure they are protecting people from exposure to oil mist by installing and maintaining an effective extraction system.

We firmly believe that oil mist extraction should be an integral part of all machine tools, not just an after-thought, continues Desmond. Our partnership with Kamogawa means its customers will be able to benefit from clean workshop air as soon as their machine is installed.

The company will also be offering a retro-fit service for any manufacturers that recognise the importance of maintaining a healthy workplace, but have not yet installed effective oil mist extraction.

Filtermist offers local support in more than 60 countries worldwide through a network of carefully selected distributors, including companies in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as Vietnam.

Find out more about the products and services offered by Kamogawa Vietnam by visiting http://kamogawa-vn.com/, or go to www.filtermist.com for details of the benefits of installing Filtermist oil mist collectors.

Filtermist’s Spanish distributor strengthens partnership with Nissan

Filtermist Limited — 19/05/2017

Filtermist oil mist filters are trusted by many of the worlds leading automotive manufacturers to protect people from exposure to oil and coolant mist.

Manufacturing processes found in the automotive industry such as milling, turning, grinding, EDM / spark erosion and parts washing, can all result in airborne particulate which is hazardous to health, as well as posing a fire and slip risk, if left in the atmosphere.

Filtermists Spanish distributor Disheco S.A. has worked with Nissan Motor Iberica SA (NMISA) at its Barcelona Powertrain plant for a number of years to ensure oil mist is effectively removed from the air.

The 21000m² plant manufactures gearboxes, gears, reducers, axles and other components for models including the Navara, Pulsar and the LEAF Nissans latest family car which is 100% powered by electricity. The plant currently uses around 100 Filtermist units including 19 new FX6002s which were installed by Disheco last year as part of an extensive development programme.

A NMISA spokesperson comments, As a responsible employer, Nissan is committed to providing safe working environments for all of its employees. The health of our factory operatives is just as important as office based workers; by installing Filtermist oil mist filters and undertaking regular routine maintenance, we are ensuring that the 300 people employed at this plant can breathe clean air.

As well as specifying and installing the units, Disheco also undertakes routine maintenance to ensure the filters are always operating as intended.

Dishecos Technical Industrial Engineer, Jordi Puig, says, Filtermist units are built to last. This can be seen in Nissans Powertrain plant as some of the Filtermists were originally fitted more than 20 years ago.

However, it is well recognised that all machinery with moving parts should be regularly serviced to make sure it is working properly. We clean all of the Filtermists and check for signs of wear and tear on a regular basis. And because our visits are planned, it means there is no unscheduled downtime at the plant due to issues with oil mist extraction.

The compact nature and multiple mounting options of Filtermist units mean they are an ideal choice for facilities where floor space is at a premium. Some of the units installed at Nissans Barcelona plant are mounted on floor stands located next to the machine tools (with some units drawing contaminated air from multiple extraction points), whilst others are direct mounted to the machine.

Alison Green, one of Filtermists International Distributor Managers, recently visited the Barcelona plant with Disheco. The sheer volume of Filtermist units in operation at the plant is extremely impressive, she comments. We are delighted that Nissan has worked with Disheco for so long, and continues to choose Filtermist for all of its oil mist extraction requirements.

Nissan is a prime example of an OEM that uses Filtermist units in a number of sites around the World. Nissan UK has Filtermists installed at its manufacturing plant in Sunderland, and Filtermist distributors in China and India both have established relationships with Nissan operations in their territories.

Automotive plants are a significant long-term investment for all OEMS - it therefore makes sense to replicate processes which have been proven to work elsewhere. Filtermist offers local support in more than 60 countries worldwide, including all of the worlds top 30 vehicle producing nations. Multi-national automotive manufacturers can be confident that no matter where their plant is located, Filtermist can ensure its employees can breathe clean air.

Visit www.filtermist.com to find out more about Filtermist's global operation.

Export success supports local economy

Filtermist Limited — 18/05/2016

Telford based manufacturer Filtermist International welcomed guests from 17 countries to a three-day Distributor Training and Sales Conference in Shropshire last week, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Filtermist relocated to Telford from Bridgnorth in July last year and employs 56 people at its purpose built premises on the new T54 Business Park. Filtermist exports its oil mist filters to more than 60 countries worldwide through a network of 48 distributors. Last weeks conference was designed to ensure those responsible for selling Filtermists products overseas are up to date with the companys latest developments.

Filtermist welcomed 36 visitors from as far afield as Canada, Israel and the USA, as well as a number of visitors from European countries.

The trip began with traditional fish and chips and a pint of beer at Blists Hill Museum, and made use of a variety of venues at Coalbrookdale Museum the following day. Guests stayed at the Telford Hotel and Golf Resort and transport was provided by Wellington based Elcock Reisen and Diamond Cars.

James Stansfield, Managing Director of Filtermist, comments, Filtermist was established in Bridgnorth in 1969 - were extremely proud of our Shropshire heritage and the contribution we make to both the local and national economy. We are keen to support other local businesses whenever possible so last weeks event provided a perfect opportunity for other companies to benefit from our exporting success.

We currently sell 92% of our products to overseas markets so developing and maintaining great relationships with our global distributors is vital if we are to continue growing our share of key markets. We invest significant efforts into engaging and supporting our network as much as possible - showcasing our proximity to the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution was a highlight of the event!

Find out more about Filtermists products and services in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

New Filtermist acquisitions make MACH debuts

Filtermist Limited — 25/01/2018

Telford based industrial air extraction and filtration specialist Filtermist will be showcasing the wide range of products and services available through its newly acquired divisions Multi Fan Systems and Dustcheck Ltd, on Stand H17-430 at MACH 2018.

Filtermists own brand of oil mist filters are well-known amongst UK manufacturers, but perhaps less well-known are the companys additional capabilities, as Managing Director James Stansfield, explains, At the last MACH show we focused on highlighting our ability to offer a full turn-key service for centralised extraction systems for a range of contaminants including smoke, fume and dust.

Weve taken huge strides since then, mainly by acquiring other companies, and we are now in a position to offer comprehensive, effective removal for almost any type of airborne contaminant. This includes solvents, odours, VOCs basically anything that pollutes workshop air.

Whilst Filtermist has exhibited at MACH for many years, 2018 will be the first time Multi Fan Systems and Dustcheck will have taken part in this particular show. Having Dustcheck and Multi Fan on board means we are able to target a wide range of new markets, but MACH is very much focused on Filtermists core market engineering and manufacturing firms that use machine tools, continues James. Both companies offer a range of products and services to this sector and people that know Filtermist may be surprised to find out exactly what we now offer.

Were looking forward to showing customers how we can help them make sure their people are protected from a wide range of hazardous airborne substances.

Whilst the 2018 stand is designed to highlight Filtermists wide-ranging capabilities, the ambitious company wont be throwing the baby out with the bath-water, as Stuart Plimmer, Filtermist Director of Sales, testifies, The UK oil mist filtration market is incredibly important for Filtermist. We recorded another record-breaking year in terms of sales last year and were confident that this trend will continue.

As well as ensuring were the go-to supplier for any oil mist extraction related requirements, were also pushing our after-sales support extremely hard. Weve employed six new engineers since the last MACH and will be recruiting at least another three this year. Our skilled engineers offer responsive and reactive maintenance throughout the whole of the UK, and we also provide CoSHH compliant LEV Testing to ensure systems are extracting as intended.

Multi Fan Systems

Multi Fan Systems designs and installs air movement and air pollution control systems for a range of customers including a number of well-known automotive manufacturers. The company, which was established in 2001, prides itself on developing long-term relationships with clients by adding value wherever possible.

Multi Fan Director of Sales Kevin Hood, elaborates, We work on an ongoing basis with lots of our clients. They come to us with an initial specific requirement and then once weve shown what we are capable of and they realise the breadth of services we offer, they will then ask us to assist with other industrial air projects.

Fume extraction, VOC Abatement and Ventilation and Cooling, are just some of the services offered by Multi Fan - visit www.multifansystems.co.uk to find out more.

Dustcheck Ltd

Dustcheck designs and builds a range of dust filters to meet the needs of all aspects of the metal production and manufacturing industries and all filters come with ATEX options, meaning volatile products can be handled safely.

Dustcheck Director of Sales Pete Dawson comments, Dust can cause all manner of problems in the workplace and depending on the product being handled, can cause some significant health hazards for operators, COPD being one of them. Sometimes, the high value of the material being processed means that there can be a need to reclaim the filtered product. As well as protecting workers and dust reclamation reducing housekeeping and preventing costly breakdowns can also be a consideration.

2018 is a major milestone for Dustcheck as it celebrates its 40^th anniversary in manufacturing and supplying effective dust control for manufacturers of all sizes, and were looking forward to meeting MACH visitors to discuss their dust control needs.

Go to www.dustcheck.com for more details.

Visit stand H17-430 to find out more about the wide range of products and services offered by Filtermist in the UK, or call the team on 01952 290500 to discuss your specific requirements.

Filtermist oil mist collector is first specification for DKW Precision Engineering

Filtermist Limited — 09/08/2016

Long-standing Filtermist UK customer DKW Precision Engineering recently told MTD CNC why a Filtermist oil mist collector is the first thing it specifies when buying a new machine tool.

MTD hosted its July vodcast at DKWs Portsmouth production facility and spoke to Managing Director Nick Iacobucci about why DKW uses Filtermist and Absolent oil mist filters.

We want an environmentally friendly working environment throughout, said Nick. Not only for our staff to have a healthy working environment, but also to make it more efficient as far as machine tools are concerned.

Filtermist has been very good in advising us of what we need, the units are reasonably priced and more important than everything else, they have actually done exactly what they said they would do.

Founded in 1969, the same year that Filtermist was established, DKW specialises in manufacturing precision engineered components and assemblies used in the Aerospace, Defence, Environmental, Nuclear, Medical and Petro Chemical Industries.

When questioned about how increased productivity is linked with a happy and healthy working environment Nick replied, Theres no question about it whatsoever. We have noticed that various things that weve done within the company, including the Filtermist systems.. we dont have a high absentee record because of not feeling well, coughing and spluttering. The atmosphere is good to work in whether its internal or outside.

As well as a number of Filtermist units in operation around the plant, DKW also uses Absolent A.mist filters on its high pressure machines.

MTDs Joe Reynolds asked Nick if DKW would be buying a Filtermist or Absolent unit to go with the next machine tool it buys and he stated, Without question its the first thing we specify.

Filtermists Managing Director, James Stansfield, comments, Its always encouraging to hear from satisfied customers. Our whole ethos is to help protect people through cleaner, safer, more productive workshops. As a business, we have long-since realised the positive impact effective oil mist removal can have on productivity as well as employee health and facility safety, but this aspect is not always recognised.

As Nick says, a happy and healthy workforce is a productive workforce. We also provide additional services including routine maintenance and LEV Testing to ensure all makes and models of LEV equipment are operating as efficiently as possible at all times which also helps to minimise downtime.

Watch MTD CNCs interview with Nick Iacobucci in full by visiting our YouTube channel.

A closer look at VOCs

Filtermist Limited — 31/05/2017

Filtermist is well-known worldwide for its oil mist removal capabilities. In the UK, we also offer effective extraction for a wide range of other contaminants, including dust, fume, smoke and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Multi Fan Systems, acquired by Filtermist International last year, has more than 15 years experience in removing VOCs from the air in industrial workplaces. Multi Fans comprehensive service ensures customers meet both UK and European emission limits for VOCs to atmosphere.

Read on to find out more about VOCs, or contact Multi Fan to discuss your VOC abatement requirements.

What is a VOC?

The term VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) covers a wide range of chemicals which all contain carbon and have the potential to evaporate or vaporise at room temperature. If released into the atmosphere, VOCs can cause harm to both human health and the environment.

VOCs can be colourless and odourless, meaning it is not always easy to establish if they are present. The hazards they pose to human health can vary depending on the length of time someone is exposed to the VOC, and how often they are in contact with the substance.

In the UK, VOCs are controlled under CoSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations which require effective control measures to be installed and maintained in order to protect people from exposure to harmful matter. Find out more by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/.

Specific processes are also required to meet UK and European emission limits for VOCs to atmosphere. Environmental Permitting Guidance The Solvent Emissions Directive published by DEFRA can be downloaded here.

VOCs in manufacturing

VOCs are commonly found in a wide range of manufacturing facilities. Paints, solvents, surface coatings and metalworking fluids can all contain known VOCs such as formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, methylene chloride and many more.

The Chemical Hazards Compendium published on the UK Governments website contains detailed information on specific chemicals and their associated risks.

VOC abatement

VOC abatement systems are designed to safely remove VOCs from the atmosphere. Methods used include Thermal Oxidation, Regenerative Thermal Oxidation and Catalytic Oxidation.

Find out more about Multi Fan Systems VOC abatement service

Brofind Spa

Multi Fan Systems is the sole UK representative for Italian company Brofind Spa which specialises in air treatment plants to remove VOCs and, if appropriate, to potentially recover solvents.

Brofind Spa RTO plants usually consist of three canisters containing ceramic media but, in the cases of high airflow multiple canisters, five or more can be used.

A hot side, high solvent bypasses can be used when high VOC concentrations are present to dispose of any excess heat. Brofind has also developed specific solutions which are ideal for treating emissions with lower VOC concentrations such as a two canister RTO with buffer tank system where appropriate.

New Filtermist apprentices benefit from state-of-the-art training facility

Filtermist Limited — 20/11/2017

As an ever-expanding organisation, industrial air filtration specialist Filtermist recognises the importance of ensuring effective succession planning across all aspects of its operation. The company places great value on both up-skilling its existing workforce and employing raw recruits who can be trained on the job.

Filtermist manufactures a range of compact centrifugal oil mist filters at its Telford HQ and then exports them to more than 60 countries worldwide. It also offers a comprehensive aftersales service throughout the UK, underpinned by in-house back office support.

Ensuring its employees are equipped with the skills required to ensure Filtermist retains its position as a global market leader is no mean feat, as Managing Director James Stansfield explains; As most manufacturers will tell you, there is a shortage of manufacturing skills in the UK. Something were keen on doing here is developing employees through the business. Weve taken plenty of people from semi-skilled assembly work and trained them up into skilled welders and metal spinners, a type of metal working thats an increasingly rare skill these days.

Experience has also proved that modern apprenticeships offer another route into ensuring employees have the skills required, and this form of training is now more accessible than ever thanks to the opening of a brand-new training facility in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) boasts the very latest in engineering technologies including five Bridgeport Hardinge machine tools supplied by long-standing Filtermist customer Engineering Technology Group (ETG). All five machines have been fitted with Filtermist oil mist filters to ensure the apprentices benefit from a clean working environment.

This particular project had an added dimension as the people being protected from exposure to harmful oil mist particles include Filtermists two new apprentices, 20-year-old Billy Mabbott and 18-year-old James Lloyd. Billy and James began their training at the MCMT in September and will each complete an 18-month programme before moving over to Filtermist full-time in March 2019.

All MCMT apprenticeships are run by experienced training provider In-Comm Training, rated as outstanding by Ofsted.

Billy is undertaking the Level 2 Mechatronics Maintenance programme, whilst James is studying for his Level 2 apprenticeship in Product Design & Development under the supervision of Filtermists Design and Technical Manager, Simon Baker.

Simon comments, The equipment the apprentices have access to at the MCMT is phenomenal. Recruiting into R&D can be particularly tricky as we require a very specific set of skills; if all goes to plan, James will be more than ready to hit the ground running by the time he joins us full-time.

This is great news for businesses, and in particular SMEs who dont always have the time or resources to commit to training young people fresh out of school.

On completion of his apprenticeship, Billy is destined to join Filtermists fast-growing team of mobile engineers. The UK wide team is responsible for installing and maintaining all Filtermist and Absolent extraction units sold by Filtermist UK to ensure they operate as intended at all times. It also offers routine service and responsive maintenance for all other makes and models of oil mist extraction equipment, including electrostatic filters.

The provision of quality training on our doorstep is fantastic news for Filtermist and other local employers, comments James Stansfield. The vision shared by the four companies that established the MCMT, coupled with funding and support from the Marches LEP, the Marches Building Investment Scheme, European Regional Development Fund and Shropshire Council means that the local manufacturing community as a whole will benefit. We are incredibly proud to be both a supplier to, and a customer of, this fabulous facility.

The MCMT offers a wide range of Engineering and Manufacturing apprenticeships follow this link to find out more, or watch this short film to hear from a number of people who took part in the official opening of the MCMT earlier this month.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Filtermist heads to Foodex Manufacturing Solutions for the first time

Filtermist Limited — 19/04/2023

Filtermist will head to the NEC from 24^th-26^th April for Foodex 2023 to showcase its products and services for LEV extraction from its Dust and Fume division.

Products on show on stand J91 will include the Dustcheck AirGuard Compact Dust Collector – a unit that was recently redesigned with the food market in mind.

AirGuard is a compact and versatile automatic reverse jet cleaned range of dust collectors designed to capture and remove airborne particulates from a bulk handling process. The range is capable of handling high dust loads and offers significant environmental and technical advantages compared to conventional filter systems. The ledge-free, circular design provides hygienic capture and filtration of particulates, and the inherent strength of the circular design also makes this range ideal for high vacuum pressure systems and is available as ATEX certified versions.

“Filters from the Dustcheck brand, which became part of our portfolio back in 2017, are used in a wide range of food processing applications – both by end users and OEMs which incorporate filters into their production lines. According to the HSE, exposure to flour dust is the second highest cause of occupational asthma in the UK, but risks can be significantly reduced by using effective control measures,” said Lydia Barber – Director of Group Marketing at Filtermist.

Other products that will be showcased include two brand new products from the Kerstar range – the KEVA Premium CBS (continuous bagging system) and the Keva Premium 50L (50 litre drop down collection container).

The new models include patented filter cleaning technology for the safe and efficient collection of hazardous dust, debris and workplace particles that pose a health and safety risk to employees. Regarded as the perfect all-rounder for your manufacturing facility, the new modular KEVA Premium series is ATEX certified, making it ideal for applications in the food processing industry.

Join us on our stand and save on Aftermarket Services.

Representatives from Filtermist’s Aftermarket Division will also be at the show, and if you visit us while you’re there you could save on some of our top services.

We’re offering 5% off the cost off spares when you sign up to a ‘Maintenance and LEV Contract’ or if you sign up for our ‘24-Hour Breakdown Cover’ and keep critical spares on site. You can also save on ‘Air Monitoring’ as we will be offering stand visitors a 10% discount off the service. You can find out more about our ‘Show Deals’ by following this link.

LEV Systems and Equipment from Filtermist

Filtermist Limited provides a full turn-key service throughout the UK – from initial consultation and planning, to design, specification, manufacture and supply, installation, commissioning and aftersales services including COSHH compliant LEV Testing.

Filtermist’s dedicated dust and fume division includes experienced design and contracts engineers who have delivered a wide range of customised air movement and pollution control systems for many leading food producers including Cadbury, Halo Foods, Taylors of Harrogate, Weetabix and Ryvita. Our team also works with a number of customers in the packaging and converting industry whose products are destined for use by food and beverage producers.

Click here to book your Foodex show tickets and we’ll see you there!

Click here to view our dedicated Food Industry brochure or view this short film explaining more about the customised air movement and pollution control services we provide in the food industry:

Acquisition of Dust Control Solutions completes fifth Filtermist deal

Filtermist Limited — 10/05/2018

Telford based air extraction and filtration specialist Filtermist International has finalised a deal to acquire the business assets of Glasgow firm Dust Control Solutions Ltd (DCS) - a privately held company which manufactures and installs dust, fume, odour and pollution control systems for industry.

This acquisition will be Filtermists fifth purchase in two years having previously acquired Filtertech, Multi Fan Systems, Dustcheck and Modus Air.

Dust Control employees will be retained within Filtermist companies to strengthen the groups service offering for customers in Scotland. The companys Engineers will join Filtermists UK wide Service & Installation Division, and the Project Department will transfer to Dustcheck alongside DCS founder Richard McAneney. Dustcheck will also be recruiting an additional Glasgow-based salesperson to support the growth of all Filtermist Group brands north of the border.

Filtermist Group CEO, James Stansfield, comments, This deal will be beneficial for customers of all companies; having a local presence will help us to grow our existing brands in Scotland, whilst Dust Control customers will benefit from our extensive resources and wide-ranging expertise in all aspects of industrial air extraction and filtration.

Founded in 2002, DCS has established supply partnerships with a number of European manufacturers including Aagaard which is a part of theOBEL-P group based in Denmark, and Belgian firm Formula Air which specialises in high quality galvanised and welded mild steel piping.

The company works with customers in a range of industries including woodworking, distilling, and oil and gas, and has delivered a number of projects for local authorities. DCSs client base was a significant factor in the recent acquisition, as James explains, Filtermist is traditionally associated with oil mist extraction in the metalworking industry. The acquisitions of Multi Fan Systems and Dustcheck opened doors into a number of new industries for us including food processing, construction, and packaging and converting. This latest deal will strengthen our proposition across all of our key target markets.

The Filtermist Group offers an all-encompassing air cleaning service. From consultation and extraction system recommendations, to design, specification, supply, installation and aftersales services - we have the capability to effectively remove all types of airborne contaminants for customers throughout the length and breadth of the UK.

Visit www.filtermist.com to find out more about Filtermists global proposition.

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Filtermist UK Sales Manager Matthew Pearson (far right), responsible for Filtermists UK wide service team, pictured with Dust Control Solutions Engineers and Project Manager David Henderson.

Filtermist’s central extraction systems capability boosted by acquisition of Multi Fan Systems Limited

Filtermist Limited — 02/11/2016

Telford based air filtration and extraction specialist Filtermist International has acquired Stourbridge firm Multi Fan Systems in a move designed to strengthen the companys UK central extraction systems service offering.

Established in 2001, Multi Fan Systems designs, supplies and installs custom air movement, filtration and extraction systems for clients including the University of Birmingham, Ricoh Products (UK) Ltd and Cummins.

Oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist, part of the Swedish owned Absolent Group, has expanded its service offering in recent years to include the effective removal of dust, fume and smoke from industrial workplace air.

As well as stand-alone filtration units, the company also offers a comprehensive centralised extraction systems service and counts high-profile names such as the Jaguar Land Rover Engine Manufacturing Centre amongst its customers.

Filtermists UK operation grew by 26% between 2012 and 2015, and the company continues to have extremely ambitious targets. Increasing our capability in the bespoke extraction solutions market is a fundamental part of our UK growth strategy, explains Filtermist Managing Director James Stansfield.

Combining Multi Fan Systems expertise in this field with Filtermists experience and resources will offer customers an unrivalled partner for all aspects of air filtration and extraction.

In addition to dust control and fume extraction systems, Multi Fan Systems also offers a number of other services including production waste extraction, VOC abatement, ventilation and cooling, centralised vacuum cleaning and pneumatic conveyors.

The company also provides CoSHH compliant LEV Testing - a service already offered by Filtermist and one which offers significant growth potential.

James continues, Our ethos is to protect people by ensuring cleaner, safer, more productive workshops. Increasing our offering by acquiring Multi Fan Systems means our UK customers can access a diverse range of services, all with a common aim, all in one place.

Multi Fan Systems Managing Director David Fall will be retiring from the business, whilst fellow shareholders Sales Director Kevin Hood and Contracts Director Richard Field will continue to oversee Multi Fan contracts alongside the existing Multi Fan Systems team of employees.

Kevin Hood comments, The agreement with Filtermist marks the start of a new chapter for Multi Fan Systems. The business has achieved a significant amount in the past 15 years and we are confident that this agreement will benefit both our employees and our customers.

Filtermist is a well-respected name in the air filtration industry and we are looking forward to the opportunities this deal will offer.

The agreement with Multi Fan Systems follows the acquisition of installation and service company Filtertech, as well as a deal with air quality consultancy Plasteel earlier this year.

Visit www.filtermist.co.uk to find out more about the products and services Filtermist provides in the UK, or go to www.multifansystems.co.uk for more details on Multi Fan Systems.

Filtermist backs bid to engage with next generation of engineers

Filtermist Limited — 03/02/2017

Made Here Now, the UK-wide initiative to encourage more young people into manufacturing as a career, is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of a new website containing inspirational videos, success stories and photography.

Backed by 37 sponsors, including Filtermist International, the website is aimed at young people wanting to find out what careers are available in the sector, as well as Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers seeking ways to inspire their own students.

Among the new stories that feature on the website is an exclusive about how Britain is moving up the world manufacturing league table. The article shows that the UK was the world's eighth-biggest nation by manufacturing output in 2015 the most recent year for which internationally comparable data is available with just over 2 per cent of total output. This is according to calculations by Made Here Now based on the latest figures from the United Nations' statistical database.

The new site was previewed at the launch of the UK Manufacturing Review 2016-17, an event attended by many of the initiatives Phase Two sponsors, all of whom predict a bright future for UK manufacturing in the year ahead despite uncertainty following the Brexit vote.

Made Here Nows founder, Peter Marsh, says: I was encouraged to hear from so many of the people attending this launch event that the future is looking bright for manufacturing in 2017 and I believe our new website has a major role to play in inspiring the next generation of makers and manufacturers.

The site features a wealth of resources and inspiring stories, many in video format to appeal to our target age group of 11 to 16 year olds, and I hope it will serve to provide manufacturers with the workforce they will need as we move forward in rather uncertain times.

During this project, I have met many innovative manufacturers and companies, as well as working closely with academics, and all of them are concerned about where the future workforce is coming from so the UK can continue to be at the forefront in this sector.

To succeed in manufacturing, companies need to grow and the website features inspiring stories about how a company like Brompton Bicycles started from small beginnings, but has now just invested £2million in a new factory and is planning to start production of its first electric bike. he added.

Filtermist's section in the new website includes details of work-experience opportunities and the importance of ongoing training to ensure employees are equipped with the skills needed by a manufacturing company that exports products to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield, comments, We are proud to have a very dedicated workforce here at Filtermist - some of our skilled engineers, including Brian Lowe our Manufacturing Manager, have been making Filtermist units for more than 30 years.

Our global sales significantly increased last year and we have ambitious expansion plans in a number of key areas throughout the business. Ensuring we have the right calibre of people coming into the business is essential if we are to continue growing our global operation.

In addition to our production department which includes metal spinners, welders and assembly operatives, we also have dedicated dispatch, purchase, sales, marketing, installation, service and LEV testing departments. We are proud to be playing a part in raising awareness amongst young people of the wealth of opportunities afforded by a career in manufacturing.

See the new website by visiting www.madeherenow.com

Filtermist increases specialist LEV resource with more BOHS accredited certifications

Filtermist Limited — 10/10/2016

Two employees at leading industrial air filtration and extraction specialist Filtermist have increased the companys in-house LEV System Design and LEV Testing capabilities by successfully completing the P601 and P602 certification process.

Former Service and Spares Coordinator Matt Wall has been promoted to Sales Engineer (LEV and Service) having completed P601 - Thorough Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems. Meanwhile Design and Technical Engineer, Elliot Webb, has recently passed his P601 and P602 Basic Design Principles of LEV Systems.

As well as manufacturing and installing its own range of compact oil mist filters, Filtermist also offers a number of other products and services designed to ensure the air in industrial workplaces is free from contaminants and safe to breathe.

The ISO9001 accredited company recognises the importance of upskilling its workforce in order to support the business ongoing growth, as HR Manager Ian Reece, explains, Identifying training requirements is a key part of our regular employee appraisals to ensure all of our staff are equipped with the skills needed both for their own personal development and the wider business needs.

LEV system design and testing is a significant part of Filtermists UK business. As a distributor for sister company Absolent AB, Filtermist offers a comprehensive service to effectively remove oil mist, oil smoke, dust and fume extraction from workplace air using both standalone filtration units and centralised extraction systems.

Managing Director James Stansfield says, Filtermist has manufactured and supplied LEV systems for almost 50 years, so has extensive experience in this field.

It is all very well installing an extraction system to remove airborne contaminants from the workshop, but we regularly meet manufacturers who dont realise the importance of regular testing to ensure the system is working as intended. If performance is impeded in any way, employers are not only endangering their workers - theyre also breaking the law.

CoSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations state that most LEV systems should be tested by a competent person at least once every 14 months.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) accredited proficiency modules are designed to ensure professionals working with Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) understand and are able to demonstrate best practice in a number of areas including workplace control principles, performance evaluation of ventilation systems, health and safety, and producing CoSHH compliant reports.

Matt and Elliot undertook the accreditation process under the guidance of Bill Cassells, a former HSE Inspector and Chartered Engineer with more than 30 years experience in the LEV industry. Bills company OXYL8 Ltd offers a range of BOHS accredited courses covering all aspects of LEV and he previously trained one of Filtermists other LEV specialists Jamie Allen.

More details on LEV systems and associated testing requirements can be found by visiting http://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/index.htm. Please go to www.filtermist.co.uk to find out how Filtermist can ensure your business stays CoSHH compliant.

Filtermist secures second acquisition of 2019

Filtermist Limited — 11/06/2019

Telford-based industrial air filtration specialist Filtermist International Ltd has finalised a deal to purchase the assets of Carter Environmental Engineers (CEE) Ltd’s air services division.

The acquisition includes the rights to manufacture the Carter range of dust extraction equipment, which consists of dry dust filters, booths and benches and wet collectors.

“Dust extraction in metalworking is a huge growth area for our business,” explained James Stansfield, CEO of Filtermist International.

“We acquired Dustcheck Ltd in 2017 for its expertise in manufacturing process and venting filters used in a variety of industries and this capability adds to three other companies we own that all offer a full turnkey dust extraction systems service.

“Carter wet collectors are well-known within the sector and we are confident that they will perfectly complement our existing product range. Our systems companies - Cades Ltd, DCS Ltd and Multi-Fan Systems - currently source wet collectors from external suppliers so having this resource in-house will significantly bolster our offering to customers.”

Dust control is vital in any manufacturing industry, with a well-built, fit-for-purpose dust control system protecting operators, preventing explosions, improving product quality by preventing cross contamination and reducing housekeeping, minimising breakdowns and downtime in the process.

Adding the wet dust collectors to the existing Dustcheck range improves the company’s range of solutions it can offer its metalworking customers.

“The Carter range of wet collectors, which include ATEX rated models for use in potentially explosive applications, will be rebadged as the Dustcheck CycloVent, Dustcheck NonFlam, Dustcheck-Midac and Dustcheck Auto Sludge,” continued James.

“The design and technology behind the products will remain exactly as they are now…it will literally just be the product names that change. All details will be added to Dustcheck’s website over the next few weeks.”

“Carter Thermal Industries Ltd has been involved in air movement and filtration for over 100 years with a particular strength in designing and building wet collectors to collect harmful dust and/or particles,” said CEE Managing Director Andy Bews.

“The company is currently consolidating manufacturing operations to one site in Birmingham, which would have resulted in production being interrupted whilst plant was transferred.

“When Filtermist indicated an interest in acquiring this arm of Carter Environmental Engineers, it enabled the company to sell to a fellow Midlands manufacturer with an excellent reputation in this field of engineering. Whilst sad to see this product line no longer in the Carter Group, it allows us to concentrate on other areas. This is seen as a win/win for both parties and we wish Filtermist every success in the future.”

Filtermist International is part of the Swedish Absolent Group which also owns Absolent AB, Avani Environmental and German company Bristol T&G International GmbH.

Absolent Group has extremely ambitious targets which it is pursuing through a mix of acquisitions and organic growth. The Group recently reported Q1 results, which saw an increase in sales volume of more than 43%, of which 17% was organic growth.

“Global dust extraction markets offer significant opportunities for the Absolent Group,” concluded James.

“Forecasts show the dust collectors market has the potential to increase by 30% between 2019 and 2022. This growth is being fueled by several factors including an increased focus on workplace health, internal air quality and environmental concerns. Absolent Group is positioning itself to capitalise on these opportunities on a global scale.”

Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or www.dustcheck.com.

Success in simultaneous trade shows separated by 5719 miles

Filtermist Limited — 21/04/2016

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer, Filtermist International, has reported an encouraging outlook for 2016 following participation at two leading global trade shows last week.

Whilst Filtermist UK was busy manning two stands at MACH 2016, the companys Managing Director James Stansfield was over in Shanghai supporting Filtermists Chinese distributor at CCMT. James returned to the UK on Friday and immediately made his way to MACH, the leading biennial UK show hosted by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), which was taking place at the NEC.

He comments, It was really interesting to arrive at MACH fresh from CCMT in China and be able to compare the two shows. Both were very busy and generated a number of quality enquiries about our products; the main difference being the size and exhibitor profiles. CCMT occupied 10 halls where a huge number of Chinese machine tool manufacturers exhibited alongside international companies.

Despite global reports that Chinas economy is slowing down, its all relative. 2015 GDP growth in China was 6.9 percent, whilst here in the UK it was 2.2 percent. China is Filtermists second largest export market after the USA and offers enormous potential for us a view borne out by the huge footfall at last weeks show.

Established in Shropshire in 1969, Filtermists customers include many of the Worlds leading automotive, aerospace and machine tool manufacturers who all trust Filtermist oil mist filters to remove harmful airborne particulates from the air in their workshops.

James continues, An increasing focus on air quality in China, coupled with the introduction of new legislation aimed at reducing pollution, means Chinese manufacturers are more inclined to invest in quality equipment that will protect their workers and help them to meet government regulations.

UK made products have a global reputation for quality. We have exported to China for more than 15 years and enquiries have risen sharply in recent times so much so, that we now have a dedicated Business Development Manager in China who is responsible for actively targeting further growth.

Whilst export is a key focus for Filtermist, the UK still remains a significant market - accounting for more than 40% of 2015 sales. Filtermist occupied a 30sq mtr stand at MACH to showcase how its products and services help to ensure cleaner, safer, more productive workshops and it has already booked a larger space at the 2018 show.

Filtermists attendance at MACH was further enhanced by the presence of its oil mist filters on a number of other stands at the Birmingham show. Customers including ETG, Haas, Hurco, MecWash and Mills CNC all used Filtermist units on their machines, resulting in valuable additional visibility for Filtermist.

Stuart Plimmer, Filtermists Director of Sales, said, It always makes us very proud to see our products included on other stands and is testimony to the partnerships we have with a number of machine tool manufacturers and their distributors.

MACH has historically been a very successful show for us and this year was no exception. We used the show last week to highlight a number of less well-known products and services that we offer in the UK. As a result, we received an encouraging variety of enquiries for Centralised Extraction Systems, Service and LEV Testing, Direct Filtration and Coolant Control, as well as Oil Mist Removal which were predominantly known for.

Find out more about all of the products and services offered by Filtermist in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or calling 01952 290500.

Filtermist support employees at JLR’s Engine Manufacturing Centre

Filtermist Limited — 12/06/2016

Employees at Jaguar Land Rovers new Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC) are breathing easy thanks to the installation of a comprehensive centralised oil mist extraction system from Telford based oil mist filters specialist, Filtermist International Ltd.

Filtermists Managing Director, James Stansfield, elaborates, We worked closely with Jaguar Land Rover to establish the extent of its extraction requirements to ensure all aspects of the 100,000m² plant were taken into consideration.

With almost 50 years experience in oil mist removal, Filtermist was more than qualified to support Jaguar Land Rover in achieving its objective and we were delighted to be given the opportunity to use our expertise in such an innovative project.

As well as manufacturing its own range of compact centrifugal oil mist filters, Filtermist is also the UK distributor for sister company Absolent ABs oil mist, smoke, dust and fume extraction equipment.

Filtermist designed and installed a comprehensive centralised extraction system consisting of over 2.5 kilometers of ducting, connected to 24 Absolent A.Smoke80T filtration units to remove oil mist generated during the engine manufacturing process throughout the EMC. Working closely with JLR and its building contractors the extraction system was gradually built up over several months, and was officially commissioned in January 2015.

The A.Smoke80T units have individual capacity of 8000 m³/h, making it a popular choice for demanding applications. Contaminated air passes through three different stages of filtration in the units, by which time, if required, the air is clean enough to be returned back to the workshop and the oil mist can be returned back to the coolant sump.

Filtermist works with a significant number of global automotive manufacturers and is delighted to have added Jaguar Land Rover to its customer list as James explains, Jaguar Land Rover is one of the leading global names in automotive manufacturing and it is an honor to be associated with this iconic brand. Increasing global demand for Jaguar Land Rovers products is great news for both UK manufacturing and all aspects of the supply chain.

Established in 1969, over 95% of Filtermist units are now exported to more than 60 countries worldwide and the company has a well-deserved reputation for its after sales service and support infrastructure.

James continues, Our after sales support service was a key factor in Jaguar Land Rover awarding the contract to Filtermist. The fact that were physically located so near to the EMC means any issues can be dealt with immediately.

Approximately 30% of the EMCs 71 suppliers are UK based companies and we are extremely proud to be one of them.

Find out more about Filtermist UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or visit www.absolent.co.uk for more details on Absolents products, available in the UK through Filtermist.

Kerstar ATEX and Type H industrial vacuums are stars of the show at Interclean

Filtermist Limited — 20/05/2022

As well as its market-leading oil mist filters, Telford based Filtermist also manufactures the Dustcheck brand of industrial dust collectors and venting filters, as well as Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners.

The Kerstar team spent last week at Interclean in Amsterdam and reported that its ATEX certified and Type H vacuum cleaners for hazardous dust were the resounding stars of the show.

Interclean provided a perfect opportunity for the team to meet with many of Kerstar’s existing distributors, as well as potential new distributors and end-users. “It has been almost three years now since Filtermist acquired Kerstar and this is the first time we have been able to meet with our distributors face to face due to the pandemic,” commented Product Manager Ben Kimpton.

“Whilst technologies like Teams have been extremely helpful, there is huge value in meeting with people in person and being able to give them hands-on demonstrations of some of our key products.”

Visitors to the stand were particularly interested in finding out more about the KAV and KEVA ranges which can both be provided as Type H and/or ATEX certified models. These vacuums can be used in a wide range of industries including additive manufacturing, asbestos removal, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical.

“We have distributors throughout Europe, as well as in New Zealand and Singapore. We are actively supporting our existing distributors with opportunities in additional industrial markets, as well as looking to extend our distributor network into territories and markets where we don’t have a presence at the moment. Interclean enabled us to have a number of very interesting conversations which we will be following up over the coming weeks.”

Kerstar vacuums have been manufactured in the UK since 1959 and are built to last. The range is designed to allow users to be able to maintain their machine for as long as they want – as Ben explains:

“We are very conscious that many manufacturers build their products in a way which forces users to replace them when parts wear out. Our approach is far more sustainable than that – we build our vacuums in a way that means all wearable parts are accessible. This means the machines can be serviced and worn parts can be replaced if necessary - saving end-users money and resulting in less waste going to landfill.”

Contact the Kerstar team, or your nearest distributor, to find out more about Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners.

Filtermist establishes business in China in strategic move to support growth

Filtermist Limited — 12/05/2017

Filtermist International is delighted to announce that it has established a subsidiary business in Shanghai, China.

Filtermist has exported its UK manufactured oil mist collectors to China for more than 20 years through Beijing based En-Creative. Growing customer demand resulted in the appointment of a dedicated Business Development Manager Carl Yu in 2014 and since then a number of sub-distributors have also been appointed throughout the country.

Chinas booming manufacturing sector offers huge potential for Filtermist as awareness about the importance of air quality continues to top the national agenda. Managing Director James Stansfield elaborates, Filtermist units are trusted by leading manufacturers around the world to effectively remove oil mist, fume and vapor from workplace air. Whilst debate in China is mainly centered around external pollution, there is also a growing awareness about the quality of internal environments particularly amongst younger people.

Sales of Filtermist units in China have continued to grow year on year with sales in 2016 up by a staggering 54% on 2015. This has been attributed to three key factors - increased awareness of the importance of clean air, working with a proactive distributor and our investment in additional resources focusing purely on sales in China.

Having a licensed business will enable us to build on the strong foundations already in place to ensure as many people as possible employed in Chinas manufacturing industry benefit from clean working environments and air which is safe to breathe.

James visited China earlier this year where he met with Carl Yu, En-Creative and some of En-Creatives customers who told him first hand of the growth their own businesses have seen since they began selling Filtermist oil mist collectors.

Longtu Mechanical Company was established in Suzhou in the Jiangsu Province of China 10 years ago, says James. The company was appointed as an En-Creative distributor in 2015 and has since grown to eight employees, including three engineers recruited specifically to install and service Filtermist oil mist collectors.

We have invested significant resource into raising awareness of the Filtermist brand in China and we are confident that this latest development will help to strengthen our presence in this key growth market.

Find out more about Filtermists global presence by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Ongoing partnership ensures industry and people can co-exist harmoniously

Filtermist Limited — 08/06/2017

Filtermist company Multi Fan Systems specialises in providing customised air movement and air pollution control systems that deliver optimum environmental conditions for manufacturers in a range of sectors, including automotive.

Ensuring people who work inside production facilities do so in as much comfort as possible is vital, but some projects also require an understanding of, and an empathy with, the wider community.

An ongoing contract with global OEM Federal-Mogul Motorparts Friction Products requires Multi Fan to work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for all concerned, as Sales Director Kevin Hood explains:

Multi Fan has worked with Federal-Mogul at its site in Chapel-en-le-Frith in the Peak District since 2010. Brake pads and linings for many of the worlds leading brands are manufactured at this plant - growing global demand resulted in the decision to re-organise the site by selling some of the land for a residential development and refurbishing the existing plant. This was when we first started working with Federal-Mogul.

164 homes were subsequently built on the land adjacent to the production facility and so local residents have been a key consideration throughout all aspects of our work with the customer to date.

Multi Fan Systems was initially contracted to relocate and upgrade the existing dust and fume extraction system, as well as installing new abatement systems to meet UK and European emission limits, particularly for VOC , (volatile organic compounds), and odour control.

Kevin continues, Issues such as noise and odour control are of utmost importance on sites which neighbour residential areas. We worked closely with Phil Wilkinson, the companys Environmental Health and Safety Manager, to ensure all of our recommendations caused minimal impact to the local community.

Four Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers (RTOs) were installed for Federal-Mogul to treat a number of similar production processes, such as curing ovens, scorch platens and bake ovens in five different areas of the plant. All of the RTO systems were designed to achieve a VOC abatement efficiency of >95%.

RTOs use ceramic media to accumulate and release heat rapidly to destroy VOCs. A fan is used to draw contaminated air into the RTO through ducting, and the VOCs are heated up until the chemical compound breaks down into water vapour and carbon dioxide which is then emitted into the atmosphere. Operating costs for RTOs are typically relatively low due to the high degree of thermal efficiency involved.

Other projects involved installing extraction for new cells, as well as specifying and installing cooling systems , dust extraction and filtration systems, material recovery using cyclones, laboratory extraction and ongoing routine LEV Testing to ensure all local exhaust ventilation systems are compliant with CoSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.

Federal Mogul has worked successfully with Multi Fan Systems since 2010 on the design and installation of multiple dust and fume treatment projects, says Kevin. Multi Fan Systems took demanding process and environmental requirements and developed highly effective project solutions which have resulted in major benefits both to plant operation and the local community.

Visit Multi Fan's Case Studies page for details of other successful installations, or contact the team to find out how Multi Fan can make sure your business can benefit from the best possible working environment.

Filtermist to introduce new German Sales Manager at AMB

Filtermist Limited — 17/08/2018

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist International is pleased to announce that it has appointed a National Sales Manager to oversee all sales in Germany.

Dominique Ullmann joined Filtermist at the beginning of July. He previously spent five years working at Sartorius Werkzeuge, one of Filtermist’s distributors in Germany, where his role was to strengthen sales of Filtermist oil mist collectors and other health and safety related products.

Dominique comments, “I am very excited to have the opportunity to work directly with Filtermist. The company has been manufacturing its centrifugal oil mist collectors since 1969 and has an excellent reputation for providing robust products that work very well.

“Customers that I have worked with are very happy with the results of installing Filtermist units. Many have bought more units when they see the improvements in the quality of the air in their workshops.”

Dominique will be leading the German sales team when it takes part in AMB in Stuttgart later this year.

Filtermist has exhibited at AMB for a number of years, but this will be the first time that the company has hosted its own stand. “AMB in 2016 was a good show for us, and EMO last year in Hannover was extremely successful,” comments Director of Group International Sales, Stuart Plimmer. “We are looking forward to meeting both existing and potential customers to show them the capabilities of our compact oil mist collectors.”

Germany’s buoyant manufacturing economy offers significant potential for Filtermist – unit sales in Germany increased by 35% between 2015 and 2017 and this trend is continuing.

“Germany has the third largest single country market potential in the world for us following China and the US,” continues Stuart. “We have put a number of measures in place over the past couple of years to ensure we are able to increase Filtermist’s presence in Germany and we are confident that Dominique will prove to be a valuable asset.”

Dominique and his team will be exhibiting in Booth 8A74, Hall 8 at AMB from 18^th-22^nd September.

Cleaning Up in Hazardous Areas with New KEVA Premium Vacuums

Filtermist Limited — 19/04/2023

Clean air specialist Filtermist has introduced an exciting new range of Kerstar KEVA Premium industrial vacuum cleaners that include patented filter cleaning technology for the safe and efficient collection of hazardous dust, debris and workplace particles that pose a health and safety risk to employees.

Regarded as the perfect all-rounder for your manufacturing facility, the new modular KEVA Premium series is ATEX certified, making it ideal for applications as diverse as powder coating, pharmaceutical, food processing, additive manufacturing, woodworking and much more.

What sets the impressive KEVA Premium Type H cleaner apart from its rivals is the ability to safely and effectively collect hazardous dust particles using a 3-stage filtration system that resides on the negative side of the powerful 230V 50Hz (1150w Max / 1000w Mean) electronically commutated brushless motor. From a health and safety perspective, the KEVA Premium vacuums are classed as Category 3 equipment, making them suitable for applications in Dust Zone 22 – an atmosphere where air and flammable dust can be explosive.

With three stages of filtration that includes two conical M class filters at the first stage, an oversized, metal cased H14 Grade HEPA absolute filter at the second stage and a conductive fabric filter assembly at the third stage, the new vacuum series can achieve a filtration efficiency of 99.995%. Safety is further assured by the robust stainless-steel construction and conductive rollers that eliminate any hazard potential in safety-critical areas, with additional 2m earthing clamp for added protection.

With two models in the new Premium range, the KEVA Premium CBS (continuous bagging system) and the Keva Premium 50L (50 litre drop down collection container), a key advantage is the new conical filtration system. The M and H14 Dust Class filter units incorporate a new mechanical cleaning system that simply requires a pull on an external lever to undertake fast and efficient filter cleaning.

The patented mechanical control enables a reliable, reverse pulsation cleaning action on the first stage filtration system, helping the filters retain maximum efficiency. Contrary to a common 'shaker' mechanism for filters, this unique cleaning method prevents undesired wear issues caused by shaking. Cleaning the filter in seconds, the patented system on the new KEVA Premium series eliminates the need for dismantling the vacuum and manually cleaning the filters. This not only saves valuable time, but in instances where hazardous dust is collected, it helps to protect the health and well-being of staff. Furthermore, the ability to frequently, quickly and safely clean the filter prolongs the life of the HEPA filter by up to 50%, reducing operational costs with fewer changeovers. This ease of filter cleaning also ensures that the maximum suction volume of 210M³/h is maintained for extended periods.

The KEVA Premium CBS has been developed with an ingenious bagging system at the base of the unit. This enables users in pharmaceutical and other particularly hazardous environments to safely collect, bag and remove contaminants without ever risking contact with the particulate. Perfect for environments that demand the highest levels of hygiene, safety and staff protection from potentially carcinogenic or harmful waste, the KEVA Premium CBS minimises exposure to any contaminant whilst the quick-change bag system maximises vacuum running hours. Alongside the KEVA Premium CBS is the 50L unit. With a fully enclosed stainless steel collection drum, the KEVA Premium 50L is the perfect unit for a wide variety of industry applications.

From a technical perspective, both KEVA Premium vacuums incorporate the renowned Kerstar 230V 50Hz (1150w Max / 1000w Mean) electronically commutated brushless motor. They also include a stainless-steel roller carriage, 2m earthing clamp, cyclone separator, a 10m connection cable, a flashing LED blockage warning indicator and vacuum pressure gauge that notifies the operator of any potential filter blockages. For customers working in particularly challenging environments, Filtermist can provide a host of optional equipment such as anti-static suction hoses, floor nozzle box, anti-static accessories, carbon fibre high reach pole sets and more.

For further details, please visit www.kerstar.com. You can also see the new KEVA Premium vacuums on the Filtermist stand (J91) at the Foodex exhibition from 24^th to 26^th April or you can contact our team of experts to find out more. Call our team on 01952 290500 or email sales@filtermist.com.

Filtermist to focus EMO attention on centrifugal filtration technology

Filtermist Limited — 20/06/2017

Telford based oil mist removal expert Filtermist International Ltd will be using its stand (F60, Hall 6) at EMO 2017 to raise awareness of the benefits of centrifugal technology, as well as the capabilities of its latest product - dedicated neat oil mist collector S Fusion.

Established in 1969, Filtermist oil mist collectors are trusted by many of the worlds leading manufacturers to effectively remove oil and coolant mist, fume and steam from the air in industrial workshops.

Director of Sales Stuart Plimmer elaborates, Filtermist units are used in more than 60 countries worldwide. The business has grown exponentially over the last few years as more and more manufacturers realise the importance of effective oil mist extraction.

Despite this global success, there is still a certain amount of misinformation in some markets about the capabilities of centrifugal filters compared with other methods including static media and electrostatic filters. Each type of filter has its own strengths depending on the nature of individual applications.

We are keen to ensure that customers have all of the information they need to be able to make an informed decision on which type of filtration is best for their specific requirements.

The efficiency of Filtermist units is based on the principles of centrifugal force. A perforated drum with specially designed vanes rotates at high speed, oil mist is drawn into the unit and impacts on the vanes at high-velocity. Special drum pads filter out stray solid particles and centrifugal force pushes oil to the units outer case where it drains back to the machine for re-use or collection. Clean air is then returned to the workshop through the top of the unit.

High efficiency afterfilters can also be fitted to the top of the unit in applications that generate smoke or smaller particulate, continues Stuart. Filtermist offers two different types of afterfilter with the highest grade offering up to 99.95% filtration efficiency - which more than meets global legislation that governs air quality in industrial workplaces.

S Fusion

S Fusion is designed specifically for smaller swiss style sliding head lathes that generate mist containing high volumes of submicron particles. It combines a hi-tech synthetic self-draining media filter with Filtermists proven centrifugal technology - offering a cost-effective alternative to other products in the high-pressure coolant market.

Modern machining processes have seen machine tool manufacturers increase speeds and feeds to improve efficiencies, meaning the surrounding technology has also had to adapt, explains Stuart. The introduction of high pressure coolant, often using neat oil, can result in a high-density mist containing large volumes of submicron particulate which either blocks or passes through many traditional oil mist filters.

S Fusion has proved effective for a wide range of customers and we are looking forward to sharing examples of successful installations from around the world with EMO visitors.

As a key German show, EMO is a regular fixture in Filtermists marketing plans. Germany offers substantial potential for Filtermist which employs a dedicated German sales team headed up by Business Development Manager for Germany, Matthew Pearson.

Matthew comments, Filtermist has exported to Germany for over 30 years. Sales increased by more than 75% between 2011 and 2016, and there is still significant potential business in terms of both product sales and aftersales support.

We will also be highlighting the importance of routine maintenance for all types of air filtration and extraction equipment with support from fellow Absolent Group company Bristol T&G GmbH, one of Filtermists distributors in Germany.

Please visit Filtermist on Stand F60 in Hall 6 at EMO, taking place in Hannover from 18^th-23^rd September, or go to www.filtermist.com to find out more about Filtermist.

Filtermist showcases global reach at JIMTOF

Filtermist Limited — 07/12/2016

Telford based oil mist collectors manufacturer Filtermist International Ltd has reported that its first time exhibiting at Japanese show JIMTOF proved so successful it is already in negotiations for space at the 2018 show.

Organised by the Japan Machine Tool Builders Association and Tokyo Big Sight, JIMTOF is one of the largest shows of its kind in the world and regularly welcomes over 100,000 visitors.

Filtermist has traded in Japan for more than 25 years through long-standing distributor Dynamic Tools Corporation (Dynex). The countrys manufacturing sector offers such significant market potential for Filtermist that it decided to host its own stand at JIMTOF 2016, as Business Development Manager Chris Harper explains;

Filtermist units effectively remove oil mist generated in a wide range of manufacturing processes - whenever a machine tool is manufactured or purchased it presents an opportunity for Filtermist. Japan is the worlds second largest manufacturer of machine tools after China so we are extremely keen to increase our share of this market.

Chris Harper hosted the stand at the six day show with Filtermist Managing Director James Stansfield and Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer. The UK team was also joined by Filtermist staff based in Singapore and Shanghai, as well as employees from Dynex to ensure a native Japanese speaker was in attendance at all times.

We decided to support Dynex with a dedicated Filtermist stand to help increase brand awareness and to demonstrate our commitment to customers in Japan and the wider region, continues Chris. Filtermist oil mist collectors are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide through a network of carefully selected distributors offering local support. This is particularly important for machine tool manufacturers who need to know that equipment can be maintained no matter what part of the world it ends up being used in.

Visitors to Filtermists stand included representatives from a wide range of Japanese and international companies including existing customers Okuma, Star Micronics and Makino.

James Stansfield comments, Filtermists global reach is highly valued by multi-national manufacturers who need to be confident that their customers can access technical support and maintenance services if required. We received a number of quality enquiries from machine tool manufacturers looking for equipment suppliers which offer support overseas particularly throughout Europe.

JIMTOF was an exceptionally busy show and well definitely be exhibiting here again in two years time.

Filtermist used its JIMTOF stand to showcase latest product the S Fusion neat oil mist collector. S Fusion has been specifically developed to effectively remove the large volumes of submicron particles generated in high pressure applications that use neat oil.

Established in 1969, Filtermists centrifugal oil mist filters have a worldwide reputation for their robust construction and longevity, as well as their effective performance. Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Thirteen is lucky number for HEC Precision Ltd

Filtermist Limited — 10/11/2022

MiM member Filtermist Systems has recently completed the installation of thirteen Filtermist oil mist filters for HEC Precision Ltd to ensure workers throughout HEC’s machine shop are protected from the risks associated with inhaling airborne oil mist particles.

The London based precision engineering company, which was formed in the 1970s, provides a wide range of machining services and finishing solutions from its 10,000sq ft premises. Quality approvals including ISO9001, EN 9100, Airbus and BAE Systems means HEC routinely supports customers in industries including Aerospace, Defence and Optics.

HEC originally contacted long-standing supplier Hyfore Workholding to discuss its extraction requirements, as Oli Riley, Hyfore’s Product Manager, explains, “We have worked with HEC Precision for over five years so we were the first supplier they thought of when they needed help with the air quality in their machine shop. Hyfore has partnered with Filtermist for a number of years - we visited HEC’s site to do an initial audit and then contacted Filtermist to arrange for some sample particle load readings to be taken. These would later act as a benchmark against which we could measure the effectiveness of the extraction fitted.”

Filtermist’s Divisional Sales Director for Oil Mist, Craig Woodward, subsequently visited HEC and used a DustTrak aerosol monitor to identify particle loadings around each of the thirteen machines on site. “The solution that we specify varies depending on factors which include the application, the type of coolant being used, the volume of particles being generated and how long the machine is typically running for,” says Craig. “HEC’s plant list includes Mazak 3, 4 and 5 Axis CNC mills and various Doosan Puma lathes so we recommended that they fit a combination of our ultra-compact S800 oil mist filters, as well as larger FX4002 and FX6002 units. All of the oil mist filters were installed with afterfilters and F Monitor 2 monitoring systems which help the machine operators to spot any issues with the extraction immediately.”

The thirteen installations were completed in May and HEC is very pleased with the results, as Director Danny Recknell testifies, “We have seen a significant improvement in the air quality in our machine shop and were really impressed with Filtermist’s install engineers. They ensured the units were fitted with minimal disruption which was great as any downtime can be costly for a business like ours.”

Procuring Filtermist products and services through an existing supplier like Hyfore can make the purchasing process simpler for end-users as they do not need to set up an additional supplier on their systems. The customer can request a quote and place the order on Hyfore and then Hyfore liaises directly with Filtermist, meaning the customer can concentrate on their business.

“Filtermist is widely regarded as the UK market leader for effective oil mist extraction. Its products have been manufactured in the UK for more than 50 years and the level of service we receive from the whole team gives us the confidence to recommend Filtermist to our own customers,” concludes Oli.

Find out more about all of the products and services Filtermist offers to UK customers by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or calling the team on 01952 290500.

The NonFlam Series of Self-Induced Wet Dust Collectors is now in stock

Filtermist Limited — 28/07/2022

The W80/3kW & W120/4kW models of the Dustcheck NonFlam Series of Self-Induced Wet Dust Collectors is available in both painted mild steel and 304L stainless steel - and delivery is now available from just one week* from point of order.

The NonFlam Series uses atomised water to ‘scrub’ dust from the air and can be sited inside or outside (with weather protection) if space is at a premium.

With a built in silencer to comply with noise requirements it can also be supplied to meet ATEX zoning requirements.

Available in either painted mild steel or stainless steel construction, it is ideally suited for white metal dust extraction.

These units can expertly handle the heavy loading of larger, mechanically generated volumes of dust particles.

Carter Acquisition

The rights to manufacture the Carter range of dust extraction equipment (including the NonFlam Series) were acquired by Filtermist International Limited in 2019 and included the Carter range of dry dust filters, booths and benches, and wet collectors. Click here to read more.

Carter wet dust collectors are now part of the Dustcheck range which also includes dry dust collectors and venting filters, and is manufactured in the UK by Filtermist.

*One week lead time subject to quantity ordered. Stock items include the W80/3kW & W120/4kW models but fan assemblies for other sizes are also in stock meaning sizes could be adapted - please speak to your account manager for further information or call the team on 01952 290500.

For more information call the team today on 01952 290500 or email sales@filtermist.com

Filtermist dairs UK industry to try new bubble technology

Filtermist Limited — 24/03/2022

UK businesses can now access the latest standard in workspace cleanliness thanks to the introduction of a brand-new Swedish product which is available exclusively through Filtermist Systems Limited.

DAIR, which has been developed by Filtermist’s parent company Absolent Air Care Group, uses ‘bubble technology’ to create clean workspaces that can be used in a wide range of environments without restricting the operator’s movements. The innovative new product creates a laminar flow of air which forms a bubble around the workspace – anything inside the bubble is then protected from contamination. For this reason, DAIR is ideal for a wide range of precision applications in industries including aerospace, laboratories, watch manufacturing, optical and many more.

James Stansfield, Filtermist Systems CEO and Vice President of Absolent Air Care Group, elaborates, “My colleagues were approached by a customer that manufactures and repairs advanced radar equipment. They needed to ensure workspaces are totally clean and free from all contamination but remain flexible with good ergonomics. They were struggling to achieve this with existing products on the market without making expensive alterations.

“Our R&D department developed DAIR to resolve this issue for the customer and it was so well received we have decided to offer it out to other customers that need to ensure working areas meet the highest levels of cleanliness.”

DAIR is a portable solution that can be fixed to height-adjustable work benches offering users total flexibility. Other laminar airflow products in the market tend to be of fixed height and use an enclosed design which can restrict movement – as DAIR is completely open, this is not an issue.

Brochures for the new DAIR product will be available on Filtermist’s stand at the MACH show next month – please visit the team on Stand 430 in Hall 6 to find out more. Alternatively, visit https://www.dairtechnology.com/ for more product details or contact us to discuss your clean air requirements by emailing sales@filtermist.com or calling 01952 290500.

Multi-Fan Systems sets out ambitious expansion plan with high-profile appointment

Filtermist Limited — 12/12/2018

A Shropshire specialist in customised air movement, filtration and extraction systems has made a high-profile appointment to help it meet ambitious plans to increase its current £6m turnover by 40% over the next three years.

Multi-Fan Systems, which is part of Filtermist International Ltd, has appointed Carolyn Lee as Systems Engineer Manager to support a concerted move into offering turnkey solutions for customers in the automotive, aerospace, food processing, paper and woodworking sectors.

The combined engineering graduate will bring with her significant experience in managing complex and demanding projects, as well as considerable expertise in health and safety and workplace legislation.

It marks the latest strategic appointment that has seen the dedicated team double to 20 and puts the Telford-based firm in an ideal position to boost sales by 40%.

“This is a very exciting time to be joining Multi-Fan Systems, as an increasing number of companies explore how they can protect and better control their working environment to deliver improved productivity, quality and workplace conditions,” explained Carolyn, who joins the business after spending eight years with one of the UK’s largest car makers.

“The business has evolved into a provider of turnkey solutions, which means we will work with the client from the initial design of the system, right through to specifying the technology, installation, commissioning and then, if required, ongoing support.”

She added: “Clients now want a specialist to manage the entire process, so they can focus on doing what they do best - their core activity. This approach has seen us quote for a host of £multi-million opportunities in the last month alone.

“My time in the automotive sector has given me significant experience of meeting deadlines and working under pressure to deliver exacting performance so this will definitely come in useful. However, the biggest attribute I’m bringing to the table is my expertise in health and safety, ensuring we now take full responsibility for this business-critical element of the project.”

Chris Harper, General Manager of Multi-Fan Systems, added his support: “We are assembling a really strong team with a wide range of capabilities and Carolyn’s appointment gives us a dedicated specialist that not only knows how to deliver complex projects, but also has a clear understanding of how to do it safely.

“Our approach is to sell on quality and safety first and this reflects a change in attitude among companies both large and small. They want to know the system they are installing is going to give them a safe and productive working environment and that they more than meet the recommended legislation.

“That is why Carolyn is so important to our growth. She is one of many staff that are fully NEBOSH trained, with plans in place for her to shortly complete her Masters degree.

“We are investing so that both Multi-Fan and our customers have access to the skills needed to take on the full quality and health and safety responsibility. It’s a major ‘USP’ for the business.”

Multi-Fan Systems is part of the global Absolent Group that comprises the strengths of air filtration specialists Absolent AB, Bristol GmbH, Filtermist and Dustcheck. Services offered include oil mist, smoke and fume extraction, dust control, VOC abatement and industrial ventilation.

The company has successfully completed turnkey projects for Ricoh, Cummins and the University of Birmingham.

For further information, please visit www.multifansystems.co.uk or follow @multifansystems on twitter.

Filtermist neat oil mist collector S Fusion to feature at JIMTOF

Filtermist Limited — 27/09/2016

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer, Filtermist International, will be exhibiting at JIMTOF at Tokyo Big Sight in November as part of its ongoing programme to grow its share of the Japanese oil mist removal market.

Established in the UK in 1969, Filtermists robust oil mist collectors have a worldwide reputation for effectively removing hazardous oil mist particles generated in a wide range of manufacturing applications including grinding, milling and EDM spark erosion.

Filtermists JIMTOF stand (E7052) will showcase products including the brand new S Fusion, designed specifically to remove high volumes of submicron particles generated in neat oil applications.

The companys Japanese distributor, Dynamic Tools Corporation (Dynex), has successfully taken part in the last 16 JIMTOF shows. Filtermist decided to support Dynexs efforts with a dedicated Filtermist stand this year to ensure show visitors have an opportunity to find out in detail why the companys proven centrifugal technology is trusted by many of the worlds leading manufacturers.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield, comments, Filtermist has traded in Japan for more than 25 years and its manufacturing sector continues to offer substantial potential for us.

Providing excellent customer service worldwide is a core value held by Filtermist having our own stand at JIMTOF offers a perfect opportunity for us to meet with Japanese customers to discuss how we can ensure manufacturers benefit from clean workplace air thanks to effective oil mist removal.

The volume of machine tool manufacturers in Japan meant it was one of the first countries Filtermist began trading with when it started to export overseas. Filtermist oil mist collectors are now sold into more than 60 countries worldwide through a network of local distributors meaning customers can access technical support wherever it may be required.

James continues, A dedicated Filtermist stand will offer Japanese customers a chance to meet with both our UK and distributors team in person to discuss how our oil mist collectors could benefit their businesses and to find out more about our global infrastructure.

Members of Dynexs team will be on the Filtermist stand throughout the show to ensure there will always be a native Japanese speaker available.

JIMTOF is one of the largest machine tool shows in the world. 865 exhibitors from 25 countries took part in the 2014 show which welcomed more than 136,000 visitors. Japans Machine Tool Manufacturers contribute a huge amount to the countrys economy; the latest figures from Japan Machine Tool Builders Association (JMTBA) state orders worth almost £749million (98.06 billion yen) in August 2016.

Four of Filtermists UK team will be available to provide technical information and support please contact Filtermist if you would like to arrange a meeting at the show.

Dynex will also have its own stand at JIMTOF (W2060). We are very grateful to Dynex for its continued support, particularly in helping us with organising our stand at the forthcoming show, says James. We are all looking forward to a busy and productive exhibition.

Filtermist will be hosting its 2016 Asia Distributor Dinner in Tokyo to coincide with the show as a way of thanking all of its Asian distributors for their ongoing efforts.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Filtermist’s oil smoke extraction solutions for Die Casting

Filtermist Limited — 07/03/2023

Filtermist Limited is well known world-wide for its oil mist extraction capabilities for CNC machines, but as the exclusive UK distributor for sister company Absolent AB, Filtermist is also able to offer effective extraction solutions for many other metal working applications including Die Casting.

Forcing molten metals into mould cavities at high pressure can result in large amounts of oil mist and oil smoke that contain sticky particles of release agent and piston cooling oil. This means that it is vital to design a hood capable of capturing the contaminated air before it has a chance to escape into the atmosphere.

Once captured, the air then needs to be filtered to remove the harmful particulate. The sticky nature and volumes of particles generated in Die Casting means some filters can quickly ‘blind’; however, Absolent’s A.Smoke range is specifically designed for heavy oil smoke applications like Die Casting.

Craig Woodward, Divisional Sales Director at Filtermist, comments, “According to the Cast Metals Federation there are over 400 foundries in the UK producing precision engineered components worth around £2.2B annually. This includes over 70 companies that provide die casting services.

“Like all employers, foundries are legally required to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002.

“Effectively controlling airborne particulate generated in Die Casting can be notoriously tricky, but Absolent has developed a range of products designed specifically for this purpose. This includes a Die Cast hood which can be adjusted to fit Die Cast machines of all sizes and is ideally suited to work in tandem with Absolent’s A.Smoke range.”

As an established clean air solutions provider for more than 50 years, and sister company to Absolent AB which is part of the Absolent Air Care Group, Filtermist is able to offer Die Casting customers a wealth of expertise in this field. As well as specifying and installing effective local exhaust ventilation (LEV), Filtermist also offers a comprehensive aftermarket service that includes service, maintenance, spares, consumables, LEV Testing and Air Monitoring.

Please contact our UK team by calling 01952 290500, emailing sales@filtermist.com or completing this contact form to find out more.

Free LEV Site Surveys on offer at Advanced Engineering

Filtermist Limited — 05/10/2022

Filtermist Systems Limited will be showcasing its latest advancements in clean air solutions on stand L100 at Advanced Engineering on 2^nd/3^rd November and offering all show visitors an opportunity to register for a FREE LEV (local exhaust ventilation) Site Survey.

Compliance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2022 is necessary across all industries and as the UK’s leading provider of LEV extraction systems, Filtermist offers a vast range of products and services designed to make life easier for all UK manufacturers.

CEO James Stansfield comments, “Offering free LEV Site Surveys gives customers an opportunity for our experienced engineers to audit the existing control measures on site and, if needed, make recommendations about how they could be improved. Our colleagues use Dusttrak aerosol and dust monitors to measure the volume of airborne particles in key locations around production sites and will then report back on their findings.

“This could include suggesting additional filter units for machines which don’t have any extraction, or simply servicing the existing LEV systems to ensure they are performing as intended.”

In addition to its market-leading UK manufactured oil mist filters, Filtermist will also be showcasing a Dustcheck automatic reverse jet cleaned dust collector and two ATEX certified Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners on its stand at Advanced Engineering.

Whilst widely known for its oil mist extraction within the UK’s sub-contract engineering community, Filtermist is less well-known for its dust and fume extraction capabilities, as James, explains; “We acquired the Dustcheck brand back in 2017 and Kerstar in 2019, and now manufacture both product ranges at our UK headquarters in Telford.

“Our ethos is to protect people from exposure to potentially harmful airborne contaminants. Most employers wouldn’t think twice about issuing the correct PPE to their workers, but PPE is actually bottom of the list in the HSE’s hierarchy of controls. After Elimination and Substitution, Engineering Controls such as LEV systems are widely regarded as the best method of reducing risk to people working in production environments.

“Advanced Engineering includes dedicated show zones for composite manufacturing and advanced metals, as well as aerospace and automotive - we are able to offer effective clean air solutions for all of these industries thanks to the breadth of our product portfolio and experienced team.”

Visit Stand L100 at the show to register for your free LEV Site Survey, or find out more about all products and services available from Filtermist in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk or calling 01952 290500.

Prima Filtertehnika appointed as Filtermist distributor in Slovenia

Filtermist Limited — 09/06/2017

Telford based oil mist collectors manufacturer Filtermist is delighted to announce that it has appointed Prima Filtertehnika as a distributor in Slovenia.

Established in 2009 and located in Medvode, Prima Filtertehnika supplies a wide range of filter consumables used in industrial, process fluid filtration, medical and HVAC applications. It also operates an air handling division which provides dust and oil mist extraction systems predominantly for manufacturers with small volumes where a portable unit is ideal, or those with large scale requirements which call for extraction units with substantial airflows.

Prima has added Filtermist oil mist collectors to its product portfolio to bridge the gap in its range and enable it to offer an effective oil mist removal solution for customers with small to medium sized applications.

Primas General Manager, Mateja Vodi?ar, comments, We are very pleased to be able to offer Filtermist units to our customers. Prima is a leading provider of filter technology throughout Slovenia adding Filtermist oil mist collectors to our extensive product range ensures our customers can access filtration equipment for all of their requirements.

According to Invest Slovenia, the countrys machining and metalworking industry generates approximately 7 billion revenue annually and employs more than 52,000 people, whilst its buoyant automotive components industry employs more than 16,000 people.

International Distributor Manager Matthew Pearson, elaborates, Manufacturing markets in Slovenia offer significant potential for Filtermist. Ensuring workplace air is clean and free from oil mist not only protects workers health, it also reduces slip and fire risks, and protects sensitive electrical equipment from the damaging effects of oil mist ingression.

Having identified Prima Filtertehnika as a potential distributor, Filtermist worked closely with the DIT (Department of International Trade) to arrange a series of meetings to discuss the benefits of the two companies working together.

The DIT was extremely supportive. We originally contacted our local advisor Richard Smith who arranged a meeting with his counterpart from Slovenia at our office in Telford to discuss our requirements in more detail, continues Matthew.

We then took part in a trade mission to Slovenia which included networking opportunities and short meetings with five potential distributors. Prima Filtertehnika was one of the companies we met during this event and stood out as the best fit for Filtermist thanks to its industry experience, filtration focused business model and the fact that it offers comprehensive after sales support including service and maintenance.

Find out more about Filtermist oil mist collectors by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Quatro dust collector makes UK debut at Southern Manufacturing

Filtermist Limited — 24/01/2023

As part of the Absolent Air Care Group, Filtermist Limited has supplied the UK market with products manufactured by its sister company Absolent AB for more than 10 years. As the group expands, so does Filtermist’s offering: the latest addition to Filtermist’s portfolio – compact, portable dust collectors from Canadian company Quatro Air Technologies, will be introduced to UK customers at the Southern Manufacturing show in Farnborough next month.

Filtermist’s stand (H235) will include a Quatro JetStream WideBody compact dust collector which was originally introduced to the European market at the AMB show in Stuttgart last year. Quatro’s bag filter dust collectors are designed to effectively remove dust particles generated in a wide range of applications including laser etching, soldering, grinding, deburring, milling and engraving. The company also provides fume extractors and HEPA grade air purifiers.

Filtermist already offers a comprehensive industrial dust extraction service through its Dustcheck product range: Quatro’s dust collectors are designed for very different customer requirements in that they are generally used in small applications with small amounts of dust and fume.

James Stansfield, Filtermist CEO and VP of Absolent Air Care Group, comments, “Filtermist has provided clean air in industrial workplaces since 1969. Adding Quatro products to our portfolio will enable us to offer our Group expertise to an even more diverse range of businesses.

“We are excited about the potential benefits the Quatro range offers to UK customers. The pandemic resulted in air quality significantly moving up the priority list for businesses of all shapes and sizes – people are far more aware of what they are breathing in than before Covid. The compact and portable nature of the Quatro range means far more UK businesses will be able to ensure the air in their workplaces is clean and safe to breathe.”

As well as the Quatro dust collector, the Filtermist team will also be showcasing a Filtermist oil mist filter demonstration unit and an ATEX rated Kerstar KEVA 45H industrial vacuum cleaner at the three-day show. The team will be reminding visitors that all Filtermist units come with a free five-year warranty as standard and all units installed for UK end-users also include the first service.

Information about DAIR, another product which is new to the Group, will also be available on the Filtermist stand. DAIR is a brand-new innovation from Absolent Air Care Group which uses ‘bubble technology’ to create a new standard in clean workspaces – ensuring precision tasks can be undertaken with no risk of contamination.

Filtermist provides a wide range of products and services designed to ensure the air in industrial workplaces is free from contaminants including oil mist, dust, oil smoke, fume and VOCs. In addition to Quatro, Filtermist and DAIR, show visitors can also find out more about premium filtration from Absolent AB, and process filters, venting filters and wet and dry dust collectors from Dustcheck.

The company will also be highlighting its comprehensive nationwide aftermarket support service that includes service and maintenance, spares and consumables, COSHH compliant LEV testing and air monitoring.

Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

New deal strengthens Filtermist’s Service and LEV Testing proposition

Filtermist Limited — 02/06/2016

Telford based air filtration and extraction specialist, Filtermist International, is delighted to announce that it has signed a deal with Plasteel Services Limited in a move designed to further strengthen its service offering.

Jamie Allen, Plasteels Managing Director, will now deliver LEV Testing and a range of other services through Filtermist, whilst the companys founder Arthur Moss has taken the opportunity to retire.

Filtermist Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, comments, Filtermist is extremely well-known in the manufacturing industry right across the UK. We are confident that combining Filtermists resources with Plasteels expertise will offer all of our customers a number of benefits.

Established in 1969, Filtermist manufactures a range of compact oil mist filters used to effectively remove oil mist and fume generated in a wide range of manufacturing processes. Its units are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide and it is the market leader in the UK.

The company also offers an extensive after-sales support service in the UK which is highly valued by customers. A dedicated Service division delivers both planned and responsive maintenance for all makes and models of air filtration and extraction equipment, and provides LEV Testing for all types of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems.

Stuart continues, Filtermists service division was established to ensure we offer customers the best possible all-round service and offering LEV Testing is an extension to this. We ensure customers comply with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations which specify most LEV systems should be tested every 14 months.

The Plasteel deal provides us with additional resource and expertise which will enable us to offer this service to more customers throughout the UK. Filtermist units are trusted to remove oil mist by many of the worlds leading multi-national manufacturers and we aim to build the same reputation for our ancillary services.

Filtermist is widely known for its oil mist filters which are used in standalone and cell-based manufacturing applications, but the company also offers a comprehensive Centralised Extraction Systems service designed to remove oil mist, dust, fume and smoke from industrial workshops.

Jamie says, LEV Testing by a competent person and the provision of compliant reports is vital for anyone that has an LEV system. Filtermist is accredited by SafeContractor and provides COSHH compliant testing for all types of LEV system no matter what make or model.

More details about how manufacturers can stay COSHH compliant can be found by visiting http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm and specific information about LEV Testing can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/.

Information about all of Filtermists UK products and services can be found at www.filtermist.co.uk.

Silica Dust HSE Inspections – Are You Ready?

Filtermist Limited — 06/10/2022

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) latest inspection programme will run from October this year targeting manufacturing businesses using materials that contain silica.

Inspections will take place across GB to ensure duty holders understand the risks associated with inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.

Filtermist is offering a FREE, no obligation site survey to ensure your control measures are fit for purpose. Click here to book a visit or call us on 01952 290500.

Protect operators

Dust that is produced in the construction materials industry can have serious effects on the health of your employees.

Employees are the most valuable asset to any business. As well as a moral obligation to protect your work force you have a legal obligation too. Exposure to dust can cause serious skin conditions and even damage to the lungs and airways. The main dust related diseases affecting construction workers are:

Lung Cancer
Silicosis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
Asthma

According to the HSE it’s estimated that deaths from lung cancer associated with exposure to silica dust number around 600 per year with 450 of these occurring from exposures in the construction sector.

Silica dust

Silica is a natural mineral that exists in various forms, including sand, quartz and flint but it’s also found in materials such as concrete and mortar.

Silica dust can be generated by tasks such as cutting, drilling and grinding; and silica can also be found in foundry sands, fettlings and kiln linings. Silica is broken into dust which can be fine enough to be inhaled and reach deep inside the lung - this is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and can cause harm to health. Significant exposure can cause silicosis and lung cancer.

Non-silica dust

There are some construction products where silica is not found or is only present in very low amounts. The most common include gypsum, cement, limestone, marble and dolomite, though this dust can also mix with silica dust when cutting things like bricks.

The HSE sets a long term Workplace Exposure Limit for every industry and a full list can be found on the HSE website. Breaching of these standards can result in severe penalties, loss of productivity due to employee sickness and even legal action. For small or large businesses, looking after employee health by reducing dust exposure is vitally important.

Solutions

Filtermist Systems can provide dust control solutions and a comprehensive aftermarket service to ensure control measures are operating as intended.

Effective dust control is vital in any manufacturing industry. The equipment we supply includes venting and extraction solutions for typical applications such as bag tipping, bulk silo venting, conveying and mixing, as well as packing, crushing, and drilling and screening.

Designed for you

We source and supply equipment with various standards of construction. We typically specify mild steel, however, our engineers also consider the method of construction based on the product’s wear characteristics and product flow – for heavy dust loads for example.

Whether the application is process related – where the product being handled is a process ingredient (process venting) – or the application is handling fugitive emissions from the process (dust extraction or Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)) – we have a solution that will fit your need.

All the filters we supply come with ATEX rated options meaning potentially explosive and volatile products can be handled safely; and, although not a typical requirement within the industry, can be built to comply with Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) too.

We also offer a wide range of filter cartridges and bag media which are able to handle products from the coarsest to the finest - from the freest flowing product to the most cohesive. Our in-house design team is able to provide dust control systems to fit almost any space constraints so we can ensure we provide the right fit for your work-space – inside or outdoors.

Aftermarket Support

Filtermist's aftermarket team can provide a range of services to help ensure you're inspection ready. These include:

Servicing and Maintenance
LEV Testing
Air Monitoring and Air Sampling

If you'd like to speak to one of our team to find out how we can help keep your working environment clean, safe and COSHH compliant:

Call us on 01952 290500

Email sales@filtermist.com

Qualified Engineers

Filtermist's P601 and P602 qualified LEV Engineers provide routine and reactive maintenance, and COSHH compliant LEV Testing for all makes and models of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems (LEV) throughout the UK.

A digital job report is sent to the customer at the end of each visit, making it easy to file and retrieve if necessary

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations require all LEV systems to be tested by a competent person at least once every 14 months - sometimes more frequently depending on the application. More details can be found on page 85 of HSE publication HSG258 'Controlling airborne contaminants at work'.

Contact our team now if your LEV system is overdue a service or routine test.

Why Filtermist?

All of Filtermist’s LEV and Service Engineers have successfully undertaken the BOHS P600 qualification ‘Methods for Testing the Performance of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’, and all LEV Engineers have completed P601 ‘Thorough Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’.

A number of our team also hold P602 ‘Basic Design Principles of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’ and P604 ‘Performance Evaluation, Commissioning and Management of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’ qualifications.

In addition to professional qualifications, Filtermist’s engineers have extensive industry experience – some of our colleagues have been employed in this field for more than 20 years.

Filtermist provides comprehensive LEV Testing for all makes and types of extraction equipment, working strictly in accordance with HSG258 guidelines.

Filtermist to introduce new clean air innovations at MACH 2022

Filtermist Limited — 11/03/2022

Filtermist Systems Limited is gearing up to showcase a host of clean air innovations that have been introduced during the forced four-year interval between the last MACH exhibition and the upcoming show in April.

The Telford based company is heading to MACH 2022 with a simple message for manufacturers…everything required to create and maintain ‘clean air’ working environments can now be accessed in one place - making it easy to protect people from exposure to harmful airborne contaminants and ensure compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.

Providing effective oil mist and fume extraction for companies that undertake metalworking operations remains at the heart of Filtermist’s business. This issue is particularly pertinent right now as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing with its Fabricated Metals Inspection Programme in the run-up to MACH in an effort to reduce exposure to metalworking fluids and welding fume.

Divisional Sales Director Craig Woodward comments, “HSE Inspectors are currently visiting premises to check that effective control measures are being used to minimise exposure to hazardous substances. We work with customers throughout the UK to ensure their workshops are free from potentially harmful airborne oil mist by specifying the best solution for their specific requirements.

“Individual Filtermist filters are the best option for some customers, whereas others will prefer static filter media units from our sister company Absolent AB. These can be fitted as stand-alone items or can be ducted into a central system if required. We have extensive experience of a huge variety of applications and individual installation requirements and can offer tailored solutions to fit all needs and budgets.

“All Filtermist units installed for end-users by our dedicated install engineers include the first service as part of the package, and every single Filtermist that we sell comes with a free five-year warranty. This is testimony to the confidence we have in the quality of the products that we manufacture in Telford.”

Filtermist will also be showing its Bluetooth enabled F Monitor 2 & 2+ - a monitoring device designed to make it easy for machine operators to spot if their Filtermist oil mist filter needs servicing. This product was originally launched at EMO 2019, but is yet to make its UK debut due to the pandemic.

“All Filtermist units we install in the UK are fitted with an F Monitor 2,” advises Craig. “COSHH regs require machine operators to report any potential issues with control measures ‘forthwith’ – the F Monitor’s traffic light system makes this simple as one glance and the operator can immediately spot any potential issues.”

Dustcheck wet and dry dust collectors

In addition to its market leading UK manufactured centrifugal oil mist filters, the company will be showcasing a range of new products as CEO James Stansfield elaborates:

“Dustcheck was a relatively new addition to Filtermist’s product portfolio back in 2018 – fast forward four years and the brand is thriving. We acquired the rights to manufacture Carter Wet Dust Collectors (also known as Wet Scrubbers) back in 2019 and have since reorganised to include this range in the product offering from Dustcheck.

“Dustcheck’s Wet Dust Collectors use water and air pressure to ‘scrub’ dust from the air. Wet Dust Collectors send the dust through a water spray then, using gravity, dust is separated from the water and the dust can be removed. Dustcheck’s range can be used on metal finishing applications such as grinding, finishing and fettling, where the materials used could include aluminium, titanium, magnesium etc. which may present a fire or explosion risk. We offer four models of wet collector, the most popular of which is the NonFlam Series.

“The Dustcheck brand also includes dry dust collectors which are popular in the metal industry. These include venting and extraction solutions for applications including grinding, bulk silo venting, foundry shake out, casting and polishing.”

Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners

Kerstar was another 2019 acquisition made by Filtermist. Kerstar industrial vacuums have been manufactured in the UK for more than 60 years and are a firm favourite in a wide range of industries. The product range includes ATEX rated models, Type H machines which are suitable for hazardous dusts, and Swarf and Coolant Vacuums widely used in the metalworking industry.

Vacuuming at source reduces the risk of injury caused by manual clean down and helps to protect machine operators from irritation, rashes and dermatitis which can be common amongst people exposed to metalworking fluids.

A KSV 45/2 W will be on show at MACH. This model is specifically designed to pick up engineering coolant (suds) and metal chippings.

The motor unit is protected by a ball float system to cut off the suction - preventing over filling of the canister with liquid. The float cage is surrounded with a perforated steel filter to prevent swarf being sucked into the vacuum motors. A perforated steel basket that holds the metal chippings/swarf sits inside the canister and a lifting handle makes it easy to remove for emptying, whilst a drain hose and stopper enable all liquid to easily be drained from the canister.

The KEVA range from Kerstar is also a valuable addition to many workplaces – particularly those that generate potentially hazardous dusts such as companies involved in additive manufacturing.

KEVA vacuums are purposely designed to pick up potentially explosive and conductive dust and debris in a Gas Zone 2 and Dust Zone 22, as well as dust and debris that is hazardous to health in a Gas Zone 2 and a Dust Zone 22. All models are built using an electronically commutated brushless motor featuring soft start and thermal protection.

Each model in the range is equipped with three stages of filtration on the negative pressure (suction) side of the motor.

“The Kerstar range has been developed to meet the requirements of a wide range of industrial applications,” comments Product Manager Ben Kimpton. “We included a KSV swarf vac on Filtermist’s stand at EMO Milan last year and it proved really popular. We actually use one of these in the area around a spinning machine in our own factory so we know first-hand how useful it is!

“The whole Kerstar team is really excited about the upcoming MACH show as it will be the first opportunity we’ve had to introduce the range to end-users in the UK’s manufacturing industry.”

All Dustcheck and Kerstar products are manufactured at Filtermist’s Telford HQ and both brands have recently undergone a refresh to help cement their positions in their respective markets. Kerstar has also just launched a brand-new website and finalised the move of production from its previous base in Northampton to Filtermist’s Telford HQ.

Aftersales

In addition to introducing new products, Filtermist has also reorganised its Aftersales department to ensure customers benefit from the best customer service possible. Dedicated teams look after oil mist and dust customers to ensure they remain COSHH compliant, as Jo Morris, Director of Group Shared Services, explains; “Fitting effective extraction is vital, but COSHH regulations also stipulate that anyone using LEV systems is legally required to maintain them and have them thoroughly tested and examined at least once every 14 months by a competent person. As a business, we are continuing to invest heavily in external qualifications to ensure our employees have the knowledge and skills they need to deliver a first-class service to all of our customers.”

“The past four years have been extremely busy and we’re confident that both existing and potential customers will value the full offering we provide to UK manufacturing and engineering firms,” concludes James.

“Creating a ‘clear air’ workshop has so many more benefits than just meeting legislation. It has been proven to improve morale and increase productivity, whilst also reducing staff sickness. MACH is one of our biggest shows and we’re delighted to be presenting the full Filtermist range to an industry that needs to take more strides towards delivering cleaner factory and production facilities.

“Our turnkey solution gives customers a simple way of accessing the latest technology and the unrivalled might that comes with being part of Absolent Air Care Group. That’s a pretty powerful combination and this is reflected in continuing demand for our offer from customers throughout the UK.”

Visit Filtermist on Stand 430, Hall 6 at MACH at the NEC from 4^th-8^th April.

For further information, please visit www.filtermist.co.uk or follow @filtermistuk on twitter

Filtermist intend to celebrate Midlands manufacturing excellence

Filtermist Limited — 11/04/2016

Made in the Midlands are delighted that Filtermist have joined as one of our latest Gold members. Filtermist manufactures and markets oil mist filters and smoke, fume and dust extraction equipment for all types of manufacturing and engineering processes.

Stuart Plimmer, Filtermists Director of Sales explained the decision to join: Filtermist was established in Bridgnorth in 1969 and relocated to Telford last year. We work with a significant number of the regions manufacturers and OEMs to ensure people are protected from a range of hazards caused by airborne contaminants including oil mist, dust, smoke and fume.

92% of the oil mist filters we make are exported overseas, but the UK is still a key market for us. Made in the Midlands is aligned with our target customer base and offers enormous potential for us to raise awareness of our products and services to a local audience. The West Midlands is renowned for its manufacturing output and we are extremely proud of the growing contribution Filtermist makes to both the local and national economy. We are looking forward to meeting with other like-minded members to further strengthen the Midlands reputation for manufacturing excellence.

MIM Director, Charles Addison said: We are delighted that Filtermist have joined our manufacturing and engineering peer group. They are passionate about the Midlands region and we are excited to see them at our future events. We hope that Filtermist can develop strong partnerships with our members and continue their brilliant work.

Filtermist oil mist filters are manufactured in the UK and have been protecting people from harmful airborne hazards for almost 50 years. Compact, quiet and efficient, Filtermist units are trusted by many of the worlds leading manufacturers to effectively remove oil mist from workplace air - resulting in cleaner, safer, more productive workshops.

Filtermist units use centrifugal force to separate oil and coolant mist from contaminated air, returning filtered oil back to the machine tool and exhausting clean air back into the workplace.

In the UK, the company also offers a number of additional services including preventative maintenance for all types of oil mist, smoke, fume and dust extraction equipment, and HSG258 compliant LEV testing for all makes and models of LEV Systems.

Dedicated operating division, Direct Filtration, provides an extensive range of filter consumables and Filtermist also sells Coolant Control products through a network of UK distributors as well as an online shop.

Contact Filtermist on 01952 290500 to find out more about all products and services offered in the UK.

New Filtermist apprentice follows in his father’s footsteps

Filtermist Limited — 07/10/2016

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist is delighted to report that its latest recruit is following in his fathers footsteps by joining the Telford based companys manufacturing department.

17-year-old Brandon Dixon, a former RSA Academy pupil from Wednesbury, has started a two-year apprenticeship programme to become a qualified Engineer.

Brandons father Mark Dixon is a highly skilled metal-spinner and has worked at Filtermist for more than 12 years. Mark says, Im really proud that Brandon shares my interest in metalworking and has joined the team at Filtermist. Its a bit strange seeing him at work every day, but in a good way!

Brandon will spend time in all of the manufacturing departments to ensure he has experience in every aspect of producing Filtermist oil mist filters from forming the sheet steel flats into rounds, to spinning, welding, soldering and riveting.

Manufacturing Manager Brian Lowe has worked with Mark for more than 18 years and plays a key role in ensuring Filtermists workforce has the skills the business needs to continue growing. Brian comments, Filtermist recognises the importance of investing in training for the next generation of engineers - traditional manufacturing skills are still absolutely vital to our business.

We are all really pleased that Brandon has decided to follow in Marks footsteps. Manufacturing offers a wide variety of career paths and by spending time in each of our departments, Brandon will be able to decide which aspect he prefers so he can specialise further down the line.

The apprenticeship programme is being delivered in conjunction with Mercia Management and Dudley College. Brandon spends one day a week at the colleges dedicated engineering facility, Dudley Advance, where he is undertaking a number of subject units including engineering principles, engineering techniques, health and safety, and milling and turning.

Filtermist oil mist filters are used by leading manufacturers in more than 60 countries worldwide, including many high-profile names in the aerospace and automotive sectors who trust Filtermist to protect their people by ensuring cleaner, safer, more productive workshops.

Filtermist is a Phase 2 supporter of Made Here Now, an initiative designed to encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Filtermist increases skills in service department

Filtermist Limited — 25/01/2018

Telford based industrial air extraction and filtration specialist Filtermist has embarked on an ambitious programme to upskill its maintenance engineers in order to broaden its UK wide service offering and ultimately cut costs for customers.

The company has increased the number of engineers it employs by 200% over the past two years and has plans to recruit additional resources this year, whilst long-standing employee Neil Morgan has been promoted to Senior Engineer to oversee the entire team.

All engineers are currently trained to service Filtermist oil mist filters and extraction equipment made by Filtermists sister company Absolent, and a programme to train them to service filters manufactured by the companys Dustcheck division is being rolled out throughout 2018 with the aim of being up and running by this time next year.

This approach will also be taken at Dustcheck where its engineers will be trained to service Filtermist and Absolent units - enabling Filtermist to deploy its resources wherever required.

UK Sales Manager Matthew Pearson says, Aftersales support is a hugely significant part of our service offering and is highly valued by many of our customers. As with all machinery, filtration units perform best with regular maintenance and weve designed our whole service offering around making life easier for our customers.

Our engineers are supported by a dedicated back office team which reminds customers when services are due, allocates jobs to engineers and ensures all parts are sent to site to minimise the amount of time engineers need to spend travelling back to our HQ. This means customers can get on with their day to day jobs with minimal interruption and production downtime.

As well as ensuring units are performing as intended, regular servicing also means they are more likely to pass routine LEV (local exhaust ventilation) tests which CoSHH requires at least once every 14 months.

On completion of all services, our engineers test the airflow and where possible will cross-reference the result against the desired rate specified when the system was installed, continues Matthew. If there are any issues, these will be flagged and the cause can be identified and rectified before the next LEV test is due.

The skills initiative is part of an ongoing strategy to increase Filtermists aftersales department; sales increased by more than 35% between 2016 and 2017 and Filtermist is confident that this trend will continue.

Matthew concludes, We work with many of the UKs leading machine tool suppliers to ensure that regular maintenance is an integral part of the service they offer to customers. Its common sense really if your car is serviced regularly it performs better and the same is true of extraction units.

Machine shops will often have numerous types of equipment designed to remove contaminants from different applications if our engineers can go in and service them all in the same visit this will save the customer time and money.

Find out more by visiting http://www.filtermist.co.uk/servicing-and-spares/, download a copy of the HSE publication Controlling airborne contaminants at work a guide to local exhaust ventilation for detailed guidance on the required frequency of thorough LEV examinations, or watch this short film to find out why Doosans UK distributor, Mills CNC, offers Filtermist servicing as standard.

Filtermist impress after showcasing their state of the art facility

Filtermist Limited — 08/09/2016

Filtermist International Limited were the hosts of the latest sell-out Made in the Midlands Breakfast event on 8th September in Telford, Shropshire.

Filtermist manufactures and markets oil mist filters and smoke, fume and dust extraction equipment for all types of manufacturing and engineering processes. In the UK, Filtermist also offers an extensive after-sales support service including maintenance agreements, air monitoring and LEV testing to ensure customers remain compliant with COSHH regulations.

Over 65 representatives of the Midlands manufacturing sector attended their stunning facility, to learn more about how Filtermist can ensure the reduction in oil mist, smoke, fume and dust particles from their processes.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield stated: It's been very successful and very interesting. Ive already spoken to a lot of attendees, some who Filtermist may be able to do business with from a purchasing point of view and also some from a selling point of view.

Thanks @FiltermistUK for hosting a great @madeinthemids breakfast event today. pic.twitter.com/wMVb8I0s98
Torus Group (@TorusTechnology) September 8, 2016

Made in the Midlands facilitate networking events to provide manufacturers with a platform to showcase their business and develop new connections within the sector. Filtermist delivered a company presentation and a factory tour, as Stansfield explained: The practical side of the business is what engineers want to see. We had a video which I hope was good, as it showed people exactly how our product worked. I think most attendees were waiting for the moment they could go out into the factory.

very informative morning @FiltermistUK impressive manufacturing capabilities #ukmfg @madeinthemids . https://t.co/QccFeJ3S4e
SMB PRESSINGS LTD (@SMBPRESSINGS) September 8, 2016

Filtermist split attendees into separate groups for the factory tour, to ensure that everybody was provided with a detailed insight into exactly how their factory operates. Stansfield said: I was amazed by the amount of attendees. I had no idea that this many people would attend, so it's been a fantastic turnout which has made it worthwhile. A lot of people put a considerable amount of effort into it, so it was great for them to see their hard work pay off.

Our next Breakfast Networking Event will take place at Walsall Pressings which has already sold out to their full capacity. Frank Dudley Ltd will be hosting a special charity breakfast event in support of Macmillan Cancer on 30th September and tickets are still available.

Please visit our Events page to ensure that you dont miss any of our upcoming Breakfast Networking events. Tickets to these events are usually limited, as members with prior experience of the events are aware of the potential value to their company. If you are interested in hosting a breakfast event of your own, please contact our Group Events Manager Iwona at: iwona@firstorchard.com

Filtermist appoints dedicated Director of Sales to support growth in China

Filtermist Limited — 03/01/2018

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist is pleased to report that it has appointed a dedicated Director of Sales for China.

British national David Westwood has lived in China for the past 11 years and has extensive experience of sales team leadership having previously worked for other British businesses in China building brands, teams, networks and business, and promoting British culture.

Filtermist has sold into China through long-standing Beijing based distributor, En-Creative, since 1994 and has taken a number of steps to increase its presence in this huge market in recent years. Managing Director James Stansfield comments, We appointed Shanghai-based Carl Yu as a Business Development Manager in 2014 and have recently employed a Sales Engineer in Guangzhou to support business in the industrialised regions of Southern China.

Together they have been promoting products through local exhibitions, supported by digital marketing including local social media and Chinese language websites, as well as growing the distributor network around China. We established Filtermist (Shanghai) Ltd earlier this year along with a warehouse to hold stocks of product which enables us to provide a quick and efficient local delivery service.

Davids appointment marks the next step in our plans to increase Filtermists presence in China. He will be actively seeking additional distributors, as well as leading our current sales team to ensure all opportunities are maximised.

Chinas huge manufacturing economy offers significant potential for Filtermist as David explains, External air pollution is high on the agenda for the Central Peoples Government which has introduced a number of measures to try and reduce levels of contamination - internal air quality is starting to receive the same level of attention.

Indeed, President Xi Jinping touched on this in his speech at the 19^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017, saying We must pursue a model of sustainable development featuring increased production, higher living standards, and healthy ecosystems. We must continue the Beautiful China initiative to create good working and living environments for our people and play our part in ensuring global ecological security.

Whilst there is currently no official regulation on the amount of oil mist particles that are acceptable in workplace air, many manufacturers recognise the importance of protecting their workers from exposure to harmful airborne contaminants by investing in quality oil mist extraction.

Filtermist is in a prime position to further expand in this marketplace, where it will be taking advantage of its Made in UK provenance and expertise.

David recently spent two weeks in the UK undertaking extensive product training and visiting customers premises to see Filtermist units in action, as well as seeing the products manufactured in the companys factory in Telford, Shropshire. He is now back in China where he is based at Filtermists Shanghai office.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.com.

Why choose Filtermist for effective fume removal?

Filtermist Limited — 21/02/2017

Established in 1969, oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist has almost 50 years experience in oil mist removal. In 2010 the company was acquired by Absolent Group and became a UK distributor for sister company Absolent AB.

Absolent AB offers a range of premium air filtration units for industrial applications including heat treatment, hot forging / cold heading, cold rolling, aluminium die casting, welding and other dry operations including cutting.

Able to handle airflows up to 32,000m³/hr*, Absolent filter units can be used in standalone installations or as part of centralised extraction systems depending on the customers specific requirement.

Filtermists in-house expertise was further enhanced by the acquisition of Multi Fan Systems in 2016. Multi Fan has more than 16 years experience in customised air movement, extraction and filtration systems including those designed for dust and fume control.

Fume analysis and system design

Filtermists Design and Technical Manager, Simon Baker, comments, The composition of welding fume can vary depending on the welding method being used and the materials involved. Fume can be treated as dust or smoke depending on the nature of the particulate it includes; Filtermist begins each fume extraction project by analysing the content of the fume to assess which contaminants need removing.

Once the composition has been identified, Filtermists Design Engineers will specify the most suitable extraction system taking the following considerations into account:

· Type of contaminant(s) to be removed

· Volume of contaminant

· Number of extraction points required

· Size and fabric of the production facility

ATEX requirements will also be considered and necessary control measures included in the system if needed.

Dust and Smoke filtration units

The Absolent Asmoke and Adust ranges offer huge versatility to ensure extraction requirements for dry processes including welding and cutting can be effectively met. Both ranges incorporate multiple filtration stages using static filter media to ensure the highest levels of contaminant removal. More details on individual products can be found by visiting www.absolent.co.uk.

Simon continues, A range of factors will affect which filtration unit we specify and we work closely with the customer to ensure our recommendations take any future plans into consideration. For example, if a project is being rolled out in phases it may require higher extraction capability in the future. We look at the entire project from all angles to give customers the best value for their investment.

In-house fabrication

Filtermists skilled technicians have more than 150 years combined experience. Working from technical drawings supplied by the R&D department, our engineers are able to fabricate a huge range of components for centralised extraction systems.

Accredited Absolent representatives

As an official Absolent distributor, Filtermists sales team and dedicated installation and service engineers have all received specialist training from Absolent. This ensures Filtermist is able to specify the most effective filter unit for specific applications, and correctly install, commission and service the units. Filtermist only uses original Absolent spare parts to ensure optimum performance is maintained at all times.

Routine checks, air monitoring and LEV testing

Filtermists comprehensive aftersales support service is designed to ensure all fume extraction systems continue to operate as intended - day in, day out. Smoke sticks and log books can be provided to help machine operators monitor system performance on a regular basis, and specialist services are provided by highly qualified personnel.

LEV engineer Jamie Allen, elaborates, Getting into the habit of carrying out simple checks on LEV systems on a regular basis and recording the findings makes early identification of any potential issues far easier. Extraction systems are designed to protect people from exposure to substances which can cause a range of serious health issues if theyre not working properly, employers are potentially putting their employees at risk.

Static and personal air monitoring can be used to analyse the air quality in specific locations including an operatives breathing zone. Customers are provided with comprehensive reports which outline the levels of any contaminants found, including those with WELs (Workplace Exposure Limits) which are subject to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) regulations.

Filtermist has a dedicated LEV department offering CoSHH compliant LEV testing throughout the UK. Email lev@filtermist.com to book one of our P601 qualified engineers.

Practising what we preach

When Filtermist moved to purpose built premises back in 2015, a centralised extraction system was a key component in making sure its own operatives are protected from exposure to fume and smoke generated in processes including welding, spinning, grinding and linishing.

The system includes two Absolent A dust 5 units designed to handle 17,600 m³ air flow per hour. It draws welding fume and smoke from 16 pickup points through 14 extraction arms, connected by 260m of ducting.

F Monitor monitoring devices are mounted on all extraction points to alert employees to any potential issues in the system.

Filtermist Managing Director, James Stansfield, was recently interviewed by MTD CNC at our Telford facility for a short film which includes footage of our own extraction system in action.

James says, Our people are the most precious asset we have so protecting them from harmful fume is paramount. Visitors often comment on how clean our facility is and we have an exceptional employee retention rate which in itself offers huge benefits to our business.

Please visit www.filtermist.co.uk or contact our sales team if you would like to find out how Filtermist can effectively remove smoke and fume from the air in your workplace.

*Refers to Asmoke320T

Filtermist supports Telford teenager with Tokyo 2020 dreams

Filtermist Limited — 16/03/2017

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist is delighted to announce that it is supporting local BMX champion Callum Edwards in his efforts to reach the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Currently the national number one in his category, 16-year-old Callum trained with representatives from the Olympic Development Programme in 2015 and he said his dream would be to represent Team GB one day.

The Telford Priory School pupil will be sitting his GCSE exams this year so wont be taking part in the 2017 World Championship in Rockhill, California despite qualifying, but he will be competing in a number of regional, national and European events.

Mum Jo Edwards elaborates, Callum will be taking part in 17 competitive events in the UK, including seven national dates which act as qualifiers for the 2018 World Championships. He is also due to take part in six European events. Entry fees are payable for all events and when you factor in bike maintenance, clothing, safety equipment and travel expenses the costs can quickly mount up.

Filtermist supports a number of local organisations and individuals with connections to the company. Callums great uncle, Chris Laws, has worked as a welder at Filtermist for more than six years so approached the company to see if it would be interested in sponsoring Callum to ensure he is able to enter all qualifying events.

Filtermist Managing Director James Stansfield, comments, We are delighted to be able to assist Callum with a contribution towards this years entry fees. He is a great example of a motivated young person who knows what he wants and is determined to compete at the highest levels.

The international aspect of Callums endeavors also fits well with Filtermist; the company exports its products to more than 60 countries worldwide, including all of the European countries where Callum will be competing, and Japan home to the 2020 Olympic Games.

Corporate sponsors like Filtermist play a vital role in ensuring Callum is able to realise his potential, and hopefully make it all the way to Tokyo 2020, continues Jo.

Callums family are all BMX enthusiasts - Dad Kieran (Chris nephew) also rides at national level and runs Dawley BMX track, home to Wrekin Riders, with wife Jo. Callum has competed since the age of 11 and qualified for his first World Championship when he was just 12 years old.

Round one in the regional competitions will be taking place on 9^th April at Birmingham Perry Park full details of all dates can be found on the Wrekin Riders facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WrekinRiders/

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk

Filtration on finance from Filtermist

Filtermist Limited — 25/02/2022

Telford based clean air specialist Filtermist has partnered with asset finance provider Machinery Finance Ltd. to make it easier than ever for customers to ensure they are compliant with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002.

Finance can be provided for most projects with a value of £5k or more, with terms typically from two – five years. This can significantly assist customers with their cashflow as Chris Smith, Machinery Finance Director, explains, “We are an Independent Asset Finance Brokerage which is free from the restrictions of a single source funder - this enables us to provide more choices for customers.

“We have 15 funders on our books including Hitachi Capital, Investec, Bibby Leasing and Close Brothers which means we can usually secure an option for the majority of customers, and because we work so closely with these lenders, we can frequently confirm a credit approval on the day of the request.”

Funding options available via Machinery Finance include:

Hire Purchase or Finance Leases
Finance up to 100% of the purchase price – a deposit is not always required
VAT payment deferred until reclaimed
Consolidation of existing finance within a new purchase

Filtermist is constantly assessing if there are additional ways it can support its customers; Craig Woodward, Divisional Sales Director at Filtermist, comments, “Finance isn’t such an issue for most companies investing in one or two filtration units, but some of the larger extraction projects that we deliver can run into tens of thousands of pounds, so being able to offer our customers an easy way to help them finance this type of investment could be really valuable.

“Ongoing aftermarket support can also be included in the deal meaning customers can be confident that all maintenance and routine LEV tests, which are a legal requirement under COSHH regs, are also accounted for during the lifespan of the agreement.”

As with all finance, final decisions and interest rates are subject to status, and terms and conditions apply. If you are considering investing in effective LEV equipment and would like to find out more about funding options available through Filtermist’s finance partner, please contact Filtermist's sales team by calling 01952 290500 or emailing sales@filtermist.com and they will be happy to help.

Filtermist International sales up fifteen percent

Filtermist Limited — 22/02/2018

Telford based oil mist filters manufacturer Filtermist International has reported record growth following a year of further acquisitions and increased sales across all departments.

2017 UK sales of Filtermist oil mist filters increased by 18%, whilst the companys export department secured a record breaking year with sales increasing by 26%. Overall Filtermist International, part of the Swedish Absolent Group, reported a 14.8% increase in sales compared with the same period last year; the current exchange rate was a factor in the 2017 sales figures, but even without the prevailing economic climate sales were extremely impressive.

Director of Sales Stuart Plimmer comments, We have enjoyed year on year growth for the past seven years, but last year broke all previous records. This is partly due to the fact that we have acquired additional companies over the past two years, but we have also seen large increases in sales of the units we manufacture here in the UK, as well as UK sales of products from our sister company, Absolent AB.

Filtermist has reported exceptional growth in the volumes of unit sales in a number of global markets including Canada and Taiwan which saw increases of more than 50%. Sales also rose significantly in China, Spain and Japan - all countries with long-standing Filtermist distributors.

Established in Shropshire in 1969, Filtermist manufactures a range of compact, quiet and efficient oil mist filters which are exported to more than 60 countries worldwide.

We work extremely closely with our global distributors to ensure all opportunities are maximised, continues Stuart. This effort reaped significant results for us last year and we are confident that we can maintain this momentum in a number of key markets. We will be taking part in various International trade shows this year including CCMT in Shanghai, JIMTOF in Tokyo and Metalex in Bangkok. We exhibited at JIMTOF for the first time in 2016 and this played an intrinsic role in the growth we witnessed in Japan last year.

The ambitious company has also taken a number of additional steps to help increase its presence in key global markets. These include establishing a trading company in China Filtermist (Shanghai) Ltd, and appointing additional staff in the territory including a dedicated Director of Sales. Meanwhile, two Filtermist sales people have been appointed in Germany with a third set to join the team later this year, and a Business Development Manager has been recruited to support sales in India. Five more distributors were appointed in 2017 predominantly in the ASEAN region, bringing the total number of Filtermist distributors worldwide to 54.

We continually assess the global landscape to identify new opportunities, but we also recognise the importance of nurturing our existing distributor network and other key customers, says Stuart. We are proud to have worked with some of our best-performing distributors for as long as 30 years successful business is based on great customer service and we strive to deliver this to all of our customers, wherever they are based.

In the UK, in addition to its own products the company provides a full turn-key service, including extensive aftersales support, for a wide range of airborne contaminants including fume and smoke, as well as products and services from subsidiary companies Multi Fan Systems and Dustcheck Ltd.

Filtermist will be showcasing its capabilities at the MACH show at the NEC from 9^th-13^th April visit Stand H17-430 to discuss all types of air extraction and filtration requirements with representatives from Filtermist, Multi Fan Systems and Dustcheck.

Find out more by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Filtermist International adds DCS Group to its portfolio in major deal

Filtermist Limited — 04/02/2019

Filtermist International has successfully completed its largest ever acquisition with the purchase of Yorkshire-based DCS Group.

The leading industrial air filtration and extraction specialist, which is part of the Absolent Group, believes the deal will provide the group with the opportunity to increase its global presence in key sectors, including pharmaceutical and woodworking.

It is the latest in a series of recent acquisitions that have included dust filtration systems manufacturer Dustcheck Ltd and customised air movement and air pollution control system specialist Multi-Fan Systems.

“This latest deal is designed to significantly enhance Absolent Group’s presence in the dust and fume extraction market,” said James Stansfield, Filtermist International CEO.

“We have extremely ambitious targets over the next five years and increasing our presence in all of our market sectors is a key strategic objective. We will be combining the strengths of our companies to offer our customers a complete solution for air extraction and filtration.”

He continued: “Traditionally, Filtermist has been known for its oil mist extraction capabilities – the acquisitions we have made so far mean that as a company we are now able to offer dust and fume extraction, VOC abatement, odour control, solvent recovery and more.

“We offer a full turn-key service for customers that need to ensure the air is free from a wide range of contaminants. This ranges from initial recommendations and project management services, to equipment manufacture and supply, installation, commissioning and after-sales support.”

Founded over 30 years ago, Dewsbury-based DCS Group collectively acts as a designer, supplier, installer and commissioner of fume and dust extraction systems.

It consists of a number of specialist enterprises including DCS Ltd & Cades Ltd, with both brands enjoying established reputations for providing quality dust extraction systems for customers in a number of industries, including pharmaceutical and woodworking.

The DCS business assets also include Ecogate Ltd and Gallito Ltd, which between them manufacture a range of industry-associated products, such as FastClip ducting and microprocessor-controlled extraction optimisation systems designed to improve extraction efficiency.

Bringing these products into the Absolent Group provides the opportunity to expand the brands’ presence in overseas markets, utilising an established global distributor and subsidiary network.

Filtermist International was supported by PKF Cooper Parry and Legal Clarity during negotiations, whilst the sellers were advised by the Camlee Group.

DCS Group, which had a consolidated turnover of £11.4 million during 2018, will be integrated and consolidated into Absolent Group with immediate effect.

Absolent Group currently includes Filtermist International Ltd, Absolent AB, Avani Environmental International Inc., Bristol T&G International GmbH, Dustcheck Ltd and Multi-Fan Systems Ltd in its portfolio. Services offered include oil mist, smoke and fume extraction, dust control, VOC abatement, production waste extraction and industrial ventilation.

Find out more about Filtermist by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk, or visit www.dcslimited.co.uk for more information on DCS Group Companies.

Pictured: James Stansfield and Ian Woodward, both Filtermist International

Filtermist heads South to highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to clean workshop air

Filtermist Limited — 19/01/2017

Clean workshop air specialist Filtermist will be highlighting the importance of both fitting and maintaining effective extraction and filtration systems to protect people from harmful airborne contaminants on its stand (Q128) at Southern Manufacturing.

Filtermists Director of Sales, Stuart Plimmer, comments, As well as our world-renowned oil mist filters, in the UK we offer a comprehensive range of products and services that all have the same aim - to protect people by ensuring cleaner, safer, more productive workshops.

Fitting effective extraction is key, but under CoSHH regulations, employers are also responsible for ensuring control measures work as intended and employees are required to report any defects forthwith. We work closely with many of the UKs leading manufacturers to ensure their facilities are safe. Routine servicing, LEV testing and air monitoring are just as important as having an extraction system in place.

How clean is your coolant?

Maintaining coolant cleanliness can also contribute to the overall quality of the working environment a fact which Product Manager Grant Tyrer from Direct Filtration, an operating division of Filtermist, will be discussing with show visitors.

Using the best type of media to filter process fluid will ensure the coolant stays cleaner for longer, says Grant. Simple changes such as switching the type of filter media used can bring a number of benefits including reduced costs, less machine downtime and cleaner working conditions.

Record breaking year

Stuart continues, Despite market uncertainty around Brexit, Filtermist experienced a phenomenal 12 months. Export trade was a significant factor, but we also performed exceptionally well in the UK across all of our divisions.

2016 saw a number of changes at Filtermist. The acquisition of Filtertech and a deal with Plasteel in the first half of the year has enabled Filtermist to significantly strengthen its service and LEV testing offering, whilst the recent acquisition of Multi Fan Systems means we are now able to offer a range of additional services including VOC Abatement, Cooling and Ventilation and Production Waste Extraction.

Representatives from Multi Fan Systems will also be available on Filtermists Southern stand to discuss the range of services it offers. Multi Fan Systems specialises in customised air movement systems and has extensive experience of designing, installing and commissioning centralised extraction systems.

Southern Manufacturing provides an ideal opportunity for us to tell manufacturers about all of the changes Filtermist has undergone since this time last year, concludes Stuart. 2016 was an unprecedented year for us as a company and we have equally ambitious plans for 2017 and beyond.

Find out more about all of the products and services Filtermist offers in the UK by visiting www.filtermist.co.uk.

Clean up and protect your woodworking employees with Kerstar

Filtermist Limited — 07/07/2022

Wood dust can cause serious health problems such as asthma; according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), carpenters and joiners are four times more likely to develop asthma compared with other UK workers.

Woodworking businesses must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 which state that you have to protect your workers from the hazards of wood dust.

The long-term time-weighted average (TWA) Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for hardwood dust was reduced from 5mg/m³ to 3mg/m³ on 17th January 2020 and hardwood dust is classed as ‘Carc’ meaning it can cause cancer, particularly of the nose.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors are currently visiting woodworking businesses across Great Britain to ensure duty-holders know the risks associated with woodworking and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.

Inspectors will be tasked with ‘looking for evidence that employers have considered the control measures required to reduce workers’ exposure to wood dusts; workers understand that exposure to wood dusts can damage their long-term respiratory health; and that effective control measures are in place to protect workers from harm.’

Sweeping or using compressed air lines to clean up wood dust can cause it to become airborne where it may be inhaled. The HSE advise using a suitable industrial vacuum cleaner instead, which can help protect workers respiratory health.

Kerstar’s KV 10-50 Type H electric vacuum cleaner range is designed for hazardous dust. The HSE advises that industrial vacuum cleaners used for wood dust at least meet the Class M classification – Type H actually goes one step further, offering greater suction and higher filtration.

Each of the models in the KV 10-50 range is equipped with three stages of filtration on the negative pressure (suction) side of the motor. The first stage is a sealable disposable microfibre bag, the second is a high efficiency filter assembly using a filter medium that is specially designed as a pre-filter material for HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.

The third stage is an oversized HEPA cartridge filter housed in a sturdy replaceable module. Every Type H vacuum cleaner is individually DOP tested on calibrated test equipment to achieve a filtration efficiency of greater than 99.995%.

All Kerstar Type H vacuum cleaners are supplied with five disposable microfibre bags and a spare secondary high efficiency filter assembly.

Find out more about Kerstar's KV Type H range of vacuums here.

Why effective welding fume extraction is vital

Filtermist Limited — 17/02/2017

Exposure to welding fume can be deadly.

Illnesses including occupational asthma, pneumonia, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metal fume fever are all linked to fume and smoke widely found in facilities where welding and cutting take place.

According to the HSE report into work-related respiratory disease in 2016, COPD alone was attributed to approximately 4000 deaths in the UK in 2014.

Composition of fume will vary depending on the type of metal being welded and the welding method used, but can include a range of gases which have all been assigned WELs (workplace exposure limits) these include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.

All substances with WELs are subject to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) regulations, meaning employers are required to prevent or minimise exposure using effective control measures.

In the first instance, HSE advises minimising fume as much as possible. Once this has been achieved, Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), a Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system or both should be used to reduce exposure to any remaining fume. The HSE website contains more information on factors to consider when deciding which control measures are most appropriate in specific circumstances.

Identifying the most effective extraction method

If extraction is required there are a number of options depending on the customers requirements:

Standalone extraction units

Mobile extraction units can be used in workshops where welding takes place in different locations, or fixed position units can be located near to the source of the fume. Mobile units are generally used in applications which do not generate much fume this could be because welding is an infrequent occurrence, or only carried out for short periods of time.

Generally speaking, fixed position extraction units are able to handle far larger volumes of fume and smoke than mobile units due to higher quality filter media and more filtration stages.

Centralised extraction systems

Centralised systems are ideal for manufacturing facilities which require extraction for a variety of applications. Fume and smoke generated in welding, cutting, grinding, spinning, linishing and polishing can be drawn from numerous pick-up points around the factory and channelled into filtration units through ceiling mounted ducting. This approach is often selected when the layout of the facility is unlikely to be altered.

A number of factors can impact on the performance of an LEV system so it is important the designer considers all aspects of the installation before recommending a specific solution.

Installation and commissioning

Correct installation and commissioning is vital if the fume extraction system is to perform as intended. Specialist engineers will ensure it is operating correctly before signing the job off and a record of the airflow will be made at the time of commissioning. This then acts as a benchmark for future tests, including those required by CoSHH regulations.

Air monitoring

Air monitoring ensures control measures are working effectively by analysing the levels of contaminant in samples of air.

Static monitoring can be used to check air quality in a specific area, whilst personal monitoring measures levels of contaminant in the operatives breathing zone.

If an extraction system has been installed but air monitoring flags a potential issue, the system may not be adequate for the customers needs, or there may be an operating issue.

Service and maintenance

One way of helping to ensure air filtration and extraction systems work effectively all the time is to undertake regular routine maintenance. Wear and tear can sometimes affect performance so regular inspections and replacement of worn parts can help to ensure the system is working as intended.

Extraction systems should be designed with a specific airflow requirement in mind, depending on the nature of the application. Airflow should be measured before and after servicing to ensure accurate records are maintained.

LEV testing

CoSHH regulations require all LEV systems to be tested at least once every 14 months by a competent person. LEV test reports should include details of the systems intended performance, as well as quantitative assessment readings and details of any repairs required.

Operator education

CoSHH regulations specify that both employers and employees are responsible for ensuring workplace air is clean. Whilst employers are advised to fit effective LEV extraction to minimise exposure to harmful airborne substances, employees are required to use equipment correctly and to report any defects in the LEV system straight away.

Put simply, if the hood of the extraction system is not positioned correctly it will not be able to do its job properly. The HSE website states

In most situations welding fume can be easily seen. If you can see that most of the fume is going up the extractor, then your positioning is about right.

Airflow indicators and pressure gauges can alert employees to any drop in airflow which can then be investigated to identify the cause of the issue.

More information in regard to system design and hood position can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/fume-extraction-rpe.htm

HSE Health and Work Strategy

Reducing occupational lung disease is one of three core focus areas in the HSEs current Health and Work Strategy. Find out more by downloading and reading the draft plan.

Useful links

The HSE website contains a huge amount of information and resources about protecting people from exposure to smoke and fume generated in welding and cutting processes. Please visit hse.gov.uk to find out more, or follow the links below to visit specific pages:

Illness caused by welding fume and gases

Fume facts

Welding fume reducing the risk

Task specific COSHH guidance for welding, cutting and allied jobs

EH40/2005 Workplace exposure limits

Filtermists comprehensive service is designed to protect people from a wide range of airborne contaminants follow this link to find out about Filtermists fume extraction service. Alternatively, please contact our sales team to discuss how we can help you ensure the air in your workplace is clean and safe to breathe.

Introducing Filtermist to Made in the Midlands

Filtermist Limited — 23/06/2022

Established in 1969, Filtermist is one of the UK’s leading businesses protecting people from exposure to harmful airborne particles. As advocates for British industry, the company has recently joined Made in the Midlands – a trade association championing British industry.

Trusted by world leading manufacturers, Filtermist provides an extensive range of products and services created to ensure the air in production facilities is free from contaminants such as oil mist, oil smoke, dust fume and VOCs which can be detrimental to human health.

The Shropshire based business has joined Made in the Midlands to make the most of its networking opportunities and be part of a domain that is first on google for Midlands Manufacturing. Filtermist was previously a member of the Made in Group back in 2017, however could not fully utilise the organisation's offerings at the time. Lydia Barber, Director of Group Marketing at Filtermist, said:

“As a member of Made in the Midlands you get out what you put into the membership. In terms of Marketing, Made in the Midlands has good website equity, and having a microsite domain attached to it has helped our own website receive more visits. The weekly digest emails are also a great way of driving traffic to our website, and the newly added support with recruitment is proving to be very valuable. Made in Group is an innovative organisation and we are excited to be reintroduced to the group.”

The team at Filtermist are looking forward to attending networking events with Made in Group, especially Virtual Breakfast Mornings, to connect with more manufacturing members in the Midlands. As a new member of the organisation, members can look forward to learning more about Filtermist and how it helps businesses stay compliant with HSE regulations and other health and safety requirements in manufacturing.

Find out more about Filtermist by heading to their website: https://www.filtermist.co.uk/