Hi-line Industries announces new Managing Director and expansion plans
September 2, 2022
Hi-line Industries, headquartered in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK, has appointed Steve Smith as its new Managing Director, replacing Mike Thurlow who has now retired. Smith, who is part of the company’s original team, joined as Marketing Director in 2000 when the business began trading and has purchased Thurlow’s 50% share of the business.
The company also announced plans to expand its facility to keep pace with growing order levels. Hi-line stated that current demand has already seen the need for the company to erect two temporary warehouses to hold additional materials.
“This company has come a long way when since it began in 2000, but we can achieve even more,” stated Smith. “We have new teams in the warehouse and service departments, which will help support our future growth in terms of both physical size and revenue. Despite our ambitions, however, the company’s founding principles will not change. Our experienced and qualified engineers will continue designing and building to the highest standards. We have great confidence in our high-quality workmanship and materials, which reflects in our five-year warranty. I’m very excited to spearhead our ongoing development in the coming years.”
Hi-line is ISO:9001 certified and the company’s range of compressed air equipment includes air dryers, nitrogen and oxygen generators, filtration equipment, condensate management/drains, and service kits.
Benefits of in-house nitrogen and oxygen generation
Nitrogen and oxygen are two of the planet’s most abundant gases, yet many businesses spend thousands on having them delivered, typically in cylinders or bulk tanks. According to Hi-line, the savings to be made by generating nitrogen and oxygen on site can be significant. Many large gas-producing companies offer nitrogen at UHP (Ultra High Purity) of 99.99999%, while the application in hand may only require a purity of only 98% or 95%. Using the N2 system from Hi-line, the cost of a 98% pure generator against a 99.99999% pure generator of the same flow is reputedly ten times cheaper.
Hi-line’s N2 generators use a different type of control technology than that used by traditional PSA N2 generators. Using a variable speed type technology, the generator only runs when the process is calling for N2. On starting the generator, N2 is delivered at the exact purity required, meaning no down-time is experienced whilst waiting to reach purity.
