ENGINEERING
PERFECT MIX
Avenium managing director Greg Hynes ( left ) with Graham Glen , head TFS Europe , Russia and Africa for Sulzer Chemtech .
Firm from ‘ small town in Europe ’ teams up with engineering giant
A
process equipment supplier from a “ small town in Europe ” is celebrating a deal with one of the world ’ s biggest engineering names .
Middlesbrough-based Avenium Engineering has been appointed UK agentdistributor to sell static mixers made by Sulzer , the Swiss industrial , engineering and manufacturing giant .
And for Avenium MD Greg Hynes , the Sulzer contract is recognition of the progress made since Avenium ’ s growth strategy was implemented at the beginning of 2019 , and an endorsement of the firm ’ s decision to concentrate more on product sales .
He said : “ With Sulzer , in the grand scheme of things , we were a small company from a small town in Europe . Essentially they had the pick of the bunch . They looked at some different options and drew up a shortlist , but when we did our presentation they must have liked what they saw .”
Avenium will now be Sulzer ’ s UK agentdistributor for static mixers - specialist process equipment made in the Middle East and used extensively in the oil and gas , food and beverages , petrochemical and other processing industries for the mixing of gases and fluids .
The UK static mixer market is worth about £ 5m , and Sulzer wants to increase its share . But what made such a big name opt for a relatively small firm in North-East England ?
Greg explained : “ I think our drive , values , contacts , and where we are in terms of location had a lot to do with it .
“ When we were talking to them , I said ‘ we ’ re based in Teesside , next to the Port of Middlesbrough ’. I told them about the Teesworks site and the freeport and they were very interested .”
Dr Duane Hudgins , senior application manager for Sulzer Chemtech Middle East , said : “ We found Avenium agile , responsive and growth-oriented for the new challenges .
“ We found that their core values struck a chord and we were able to convince each other that we could both benefit from a symbiotic relationship .”
And he confirmed its location on Teesside , and therefore its ability to service the entire UK market , was a key factor , saying : “ Their proximity to many of our key clients is also a big advantage .
“ We were very excited about the fact there is a small machining centre close to the port , which is a free trade zone .”
All of which was music to the ears of proud Teessider , Boro fan and Avenium owner , Greg .
The firm has eight full-time employees , with the latest , project engineer Paul Sheehan , no stranger to Greg as they completed their apprenticeships at TTE
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
together .
And Greg feels that having people who have worked both in the industry , and in the supply chain , is a major “ plus ”.
He said : “ We have the advantage of having on-site industry experience , so we know the type of equipment that works and what people want .”
Greg admits last year was “ very challenging ” because of the pandemic - but it did , however , force a crucial change of direction . He explained : “ The site service work took a big hit , so we readjusted the company to make a big focus on product sales .
“ That readjustment has now come to fruition . And not only has the business recovered well but we now have the Sulzer contract .”
The Sulzer deal , he says , is part of a plan to represent more leading product manufacturers , with the likes of Halma companies OsecoElfab and Sofis already on board .
He said : “ I want to grow the business and capitalise on what I think is a bright future for our area .
“ When I finished my apprenticeship in 2005 there were limited opportunities , the plant I was working on at Wilton was shut down , and I then worked away from home in the oil and gas industry . Now I ’ m back in the area full-time and I see lots of exciting opportunities on the horizon .”
98 | Tees Business