May 26, 2012 Pumping up the Volume

Volume 15 | Issue 2

As its name implies, ClydeUnion Pumps has emerged as a leading global supplier of pump technologies that serve a range of industries and are

While ClydeUnion pumps is a recently established enterprise, its heritage includes more than 300 years of combined engineering expertise. Part of the Charlotte, N.C.-based SPX Corporation, ClydeUnion Pumps was formed through acquisition and integration of highly successful pump manufacturers.

Today, ClydeUnion Pumps, an SPX Brand subsidiary, represents a center of excellence for pump technology, hydraulic design and engineering. It is structured into eight customer-focused business units including upstream oil, downstream oil, nuclear power, conventional power, water and industrial, minerals and mining, offshore and marine, and aftermarket. An international business, ClydeUnion Pumps provides a broad range of quality products to customers throughout the world. These products include single and two-stage pump, multi-stage pumps, reciprocating pumps, and specialized pumps. Further, its global aftermarket capability enables customers to optimize their processes at all times, according to the company.

All products are characterized by superior designs, materials and components. Applications range from simple end suction pump technology used for clean water duties to complex, main reactor feed pumps for nuclear plants. Whatever the application, each product must demonstrate the highest efficiency, reliability and durability, as customers subject the equipment to severe demands. Durability translates into extended mean time between maintenance, which increases pump availability.

COMBINED STRENGTHS
The two main companies that form ClydeUnion Pumps – Clyde Pumps and Union Pumps – both have long, historic track records of success and ongoing development. The first was formed in 2007, when the Weir Pumps business, located in Glasgow, Scotland, was acquired from the Weir Group PLC. Clyde Pumps’ success was complemented with the 2008 acquisition of Union Pump, which had been producing advanced pumps since 1885, when it was established in Michigan. The combined forces resulted in stronger workforce teams and extended the footprint to global proportions.

The Clyde Pump/Weir faction dates back to 1871, when the Weir brothers (George and James) founded the engineering firm of G.&J. Weir. According to the historical narrative, from their Glasgow works in Scotland’s central belt region, the Weir brothers invented pump and valve technologies successfully deployed in ship engines, on oil pipelines, and in desalination plants and power stations throughout the world. With such innovations, they established a solid reputation.

In May 2007, more than 100 years after the Weir brothers created their business, Jim McColl (chairman and chief executive officer of Clyde Blowers) announced the acquisition of the Weir Pumps business from the Weir Group PLC. This transaction brought Weir Pump’s diverse portfolio of technology – as well as process knowledge and expertise – into the newly created Clyde Pumps Ltd.

A little over a year later (in November 2008) the acquisition of Union Pump led to the formation of ClydeUnion Pumps. Union Pump’s rich history was just as fascinating at the Weir’s. Founded in 1885, Union Pump has created the best pumps for industries around the world. Union incorporated the David Brown Pumps brand as well as its significant capabilities when it acquired the Annecy, France-based operation.

In 2011, SPX Corporation acquired ClydeUnion Pumps, which expanded SPX’s market position and created a global power energy platform for SPX Flow Technology. This development put ClydeUnion Pumps into a good position to benefit from increases in global energy demand that’s being driven by the industrialization of emerging regions throughout the world.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., SPX Corporation is a global Fortune 500 enterprise that serves multiple industries. With nearly $5 billion in annual revenues, 15,500 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, the corporation is a manufacturing leader. Its specialized, engineered products and technologies serve customers in three primary strategic growth markets: infrastructure, process equipment and diagnostic tools. Its solutions are helping meet global demand in emerging markets such as electricity, processed food and beverages and vehicle services. Its SPX Flow Technology product portfolio has garnered a niche position in power and energy markets through recognized pump brands.

INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, ClydeUnion Pumps has manufacturing facilities throughout the world and about 2,000 global employees.

Its Battle Creek, Mich. operation goes back to the very beginning, in the late 19th century, when it manufactured steam-driven reciprocating pumps. Today, the facility is a recognized global leader in the development and supply of high quality and technologically advanced single and multi-stage centrifugal pumps and reciprocating power and steam-driven positive displacement pumps. The facility, which measures 17,676 square meters, employs about 220 people who specialize in the design and manufacture of pumps, parts, services and pump packages for upstream and downstream oil and gas, and the water and industrial, conventional power and nuclear power industries. Its quality management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ASME Section III for nuclear grade Class 1, 2, and 3 pumps and parts. The facility also supports the latest editions of the API 610 and API 674 standards.

In Houston, Texas, the S&N Pump Company supports the ClydeUnion Pumps cause, and it has been providing seawater lift solutions to the offshore drilling and production industry for more than 50 years. It is a world-recognized leader in offshore seawater support, specializing in the supply and repair of electric submersible pumps and motors. Today, the facility, which measures 3,455 square meters and employees 51 people, manufactures and repairs pumps for the ClydeUnion Pumps range and the offshore and marine industry. With its designs, engineering, fabrication, global support and 24/7 service, it has earned a reputation as “the seawater authority.”

In Burlington, Canada, Union Pump Canada (established in 1975) helped Union move further into the growing North American fluid technology markets. The plant manufactures and repairs pumps for the full ClydeUnion Pumps range. The facility includes 6,500 square feet and employees 100 people.

In Europe, in France, the Annecy facility (which dates back to 1919), specializes in the design and manufacture of a complete line of centrifugal pumps in compliance with API-610 and safety-related pumps for the nuclear power market. The Annecy plant (which measures 24,300 square meters and employees 264) boasts an excellent product development organization with specific skills in API products, noiseless pumps, inducers, and ceramic bearings.

In Scotland, the Glasgow facility is ClydeUnion Pumps’ largest plant. ClydeUnion Pumps has been manufacturing here for more than 120 years. This site provides centrifugal pumps for all of the company’s business sectors, but it specializes in products for the upstream oil and nuclear power industries. The 76,270-square-meter facility employs about 981 people.

The company’s second United Kingdom operation, located in Penistone, in England, has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and now provides a broad range of ClydeUnion Pumps products. The business excels in heavy duty single-stage and multi-stage centrifugal pumps to API-610 requirements. The site – which measures 5,840 square meters and employs 82 people – also excels in the design and manufacture of cryogenic pumps for handling liquefied gas.

ClydePumps India Private LTD, the Indian subsidiary company, is a joint venture with WPIL, formerly Worthington Pumps India Ltd. Based just outside Delhi, Clyde Pumps India LTD specializes in supplying pumps for the fast growing Indian power market. The facility also supplies a wide range of centrifugal pumps, particularly vertical units, both domestically and to international markets. Further, it offers a full portfolio of aftermarket services. Measuring 20,000 square meters, the site employs 50 people.

In South America, ClydeUnion Pumps and SPX, have formed a subsidiary company in Brazil. Called ClydeUnion IMBIL Pumps, the joint venture brings together the heritage, product portfolio and manufacturing expertise of ClydeUnion Pumps and IMBIL Pumping Solutions. Located in Itapira, the new office building and factory for ClydeUnion IMBIL Pumps will serve as the headquarters of ClydeUnion Pumps in Brazil and the platform for growth in the Brazilian oil and gas market.

In Indonesia, the PT ClydeUnion Pumps Indonesia subsidiary represents a joint venture with PT Duraquipt Cemerlang. Located in South Jakarta, the subsidiary combines the product portfolio and engineering expertise of ClydeUnion Pumps and SPX Brand, with the local knowledge, service and packaging expertise of PT Duraquipt Cemerlang. This facility provides pumping solutions and aftermarket services to the Indonesian Market. It includes 8,000 square meters and has an employee roster of about 200.

Beyond these locations, ClydeUnion Pumps also has sales locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. As it grows, ClydeUnion Pumps continuously adapts to the needs of an increasing customer base. With a growing presence in BRIC regions, the company is understandably pumped up about its future.

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