Changes in Environmental Laws Boost sales as Vixen goes for Growth
Vixen Surface Treatments has enjoyed a period of sustained growth since the introduction of new environmental laws in October 2007 and is extending its current factory facility in the North East to cope with its continual growth around the world.
Vixen, a market leader in the manufacture of industrial washing, degreasing and wet and dry blasting machinery since 1990, has seen a significant increase in the demand for its phosphating machines in the last year as changes to environmental laws take hold. The company manufactures thousands of machines every year which are used to wash everything from small delicate objects to large scale industry components to improve cleaning times and to cut the cost of time-consuming manual labour.
Since October 2007, when the new Solvent Emissions Directive (SED) came into force, any company using open-topped vapour degreasing machines, requiring over one tonne of solvent a year, had to gain a PPC permit. This has resulted in many companies, all over the world, seeking an alternative, more eco-friendly process.
Vixen, which specialises in surface preparation and pre-treatment - particularly for the powder coating and wet painting applications - reports "great success" with its phosphating machines, which companies are choosing as an alternative to the use of trichloroethylene and other solvents used for metal degreasing, pre-treatment or phosphating.
Vixen's two ranges for these particular applications - the ‘Phoswash' machine, a slimline machine designed for use in small spaces and for customers who have metal fabrications such as extruded bar requiring pre-treatment prior to powder coating, and ‘Jetwash' spraywash and phosphating front loading machines- have been installed by a variety of major manufacturers. The spraywash and phosphating front loading machines are medium to large capacity with basket sizes of between 1m and 3m, with a guillotine opening for easy access. Constructed from double skin stainless steel, these machines are designed for washing heavy components.
Since its was formed in 1990, Vixen has grown to be a market leader in the manufacture of industrial washing, degreasing and wet blasting - the ‘Aquablast' range- and dry blasting equipment, and in the supply of associated comnsumables, working in sectors such as manufacturing, aviation and engineering.
For example amongst Vixen's recent successes, is a new contract with Darchem Engineering in Stillington, Stockton-on-Tees, where Darchem is building a new factory. Vixen has secured a major contract to provide four new machines for Darchem including a custom-build sledge-driven ‘Jetwash' with three rinse stages for cleaning and drying metal parts.
Vixen employs a team of 45 and has occupied the same site in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees since its formation, and the factory has been constantly updated to provide state-of-the art facilities for the production of its machines for clients including Ford Motor Company, Triumph Motorcycles, Hotpoint, Black and Decker and Sharp Electronics.
Demonstration and sample processing facility
The new extension, which will be fully operational by the end of 2009, will provide a 10-machine demonstration room to allow existing and potential customers to view machines in operation and bring their own sample parts to process.
Speaking about the growth of the business, Aidan Mallon, managing director of Vixen Surface Treatments, said: "We are continually expanding and investing in the business as our machines are constantly in demand thanks to their efficiency, versatility and cost-effectiveness. In addition, many have numerous environmental benefits which are increasingly important in industrial sectors. We are certainly bucking the trend in the manufacturing sector as we excel in our industry and have a worldwide reputation.
"It's vital that we continue to offer our customers state-of-the-art facilities and the purpose-built extension will provide a new demonstration room to allow customers to see our larger machines in operation.
"Companies all over the world are now being forced to implement strict processes to comply with environmental laws. Much of our recent success can be attributed to this but also to our versatile, reliable and cost-efficient machines manufactured by some of the industry's best engineers.
"Many businesses don't realise that financial help is available to assist in the acquisition of new machines, like ours, and Vixen is currently working with a number of companies to help them obtain interest free loans from the Carbon Trust to help with the purchase of these, more eco-friendly machines."