Rotork Instruments focus on innovation

Introduction

Rotork Instruments, the youngest division of Rotork, has been established by a string of acquisitions in the last seven years. There is a gap between actuators and control systems that we intend to fill with tried and tested packaged solutions and new innovative concepts that deliver value to our customers."

According to Andy Filkins, Business Development Director of Rotork Instruments, innovation is the key word for Rotork Instruments and the Rotork Group. "In our division we are aiming for sustainable and profitable growth", Filkins says. "As a relatively young addition to the Rotork family (see box text: A brief history, page 3), the Instruments division has grown mainly via acquisitions over the last years. Of course we intend to grow through our existing businesses, mainly by developing innovative solutions that help our customers to meet their goals in their day-to-day operations."

Filling the gap

A brief look back into the past. In 2011, the Instruments division within Rotork was established by the acquisition of the American company Fairchild Industrial Products. Back then, Rotork`s management stated the deal would strengthen its `presence in the global flow control market whilst remaining close to its core competencies.`

"The main idea behind the Instruments division is to fill the gap between actuation and control systems. A leading manufacturer of actuators (electric, pneumatic and hydraulic, and gearboxes), Rotork identified this market segment as a natural extension of its existing activities. This is especially relevant for pneumatic and hydraulic actuation as electric actuators already have sufficient control functionalities. In pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, however, there is room for a supplier that can offer a broad instrumentation platform for the control and management of flow and pressure."

Cost as an opportunity

The question is: why would end users choose Rotork Instruments as a supplier? One main advantage, according to Filkins, is the economic and security benefits of only having to use a single supplier for all the control system requirements, instead of many suppliers. "In terms of installation and maintenance/servicing, it becomes a less complicated and ultimately less costly process", Filkins explains.

Cost reduction while maintaining safety levels in critical applications is a big theme across all industries, Filkins says. "In oil and gas, a very important sector for both for our division and Rotork as a whole, cost management is a priority. This is driving more innovative solutions that reduce operational costs and/or optimise output.

A telling example is the role/use of solenoids as the final element in the control circuit for a pneumatic on/off valve. In solenoids, not only are we able to offer a comprehensive portfolio via our Bifold and Midlands-ACS brands, but we are also expanding this range with fast acting and low power consumption designs. These solenoids are able to provide a higher degree of accuracy and safety combined with lower operating costs, partly because these can function via a solar powered battery system."