Broadbent selects centrifuge seals

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 9, 2004

A new agreement makes John Crane the preferred supplier for all nonspecified sealing technology purchased by Huddersfield-based Thomas Broadbent over the next five years.

A new agreement makes John Crane the preferred supplier for all nonspecified sealing technology purchased by Huddersfield-based Thomas Broadbent over the next five years.

This puts John Crane in a prime position to benefit from the growing international demand for polyester textiles.

Broadbent is an international authority in the design and manufacture of the specialised centrifuge decanters which are used to produce pure terephthalic acid (PTA).

Demand for PTA has continued to grow significantly, in line with the global market for the polyester textiles which it is used to manufacture.

Broadbent has recently taken in excess of GBP 12 million in centrifuge orders from PTA producers in the Far East and from this success has generated an order for over GBP 1.4 million of John Crane sealing technology, with further prospects that could promise much more business to follow in the future.

This first order covers John Crane DRSM and RRSM mechanical seals and spares kits which will mainly be installed on Broadbent centrifuges destined for China.

Other John Crane seals will find their way to Broadbent equipment to be installed in India, Taiwan and Thailand.

This will double the global installed base of Broadbent centrifuges fitted with John Crane mechanical seals, and will contribute towards an aftermarket spares opportunity worth GBP 1.5 million over the period of the agreement.

More opportunities for new seal sales will also follow.

During its lengthy association with Thomas Broadbent John Crane has worked closely with the company to develop a total solution which has been acknowledged as a key element in maximising the production of PTA by minimising downtime.

This was a key factor in the formation of the new supplier agreement, along with John Crane's unparalleled international service network which can provide support to Broadbent equipment wherever it is located in the world.