We have demonstrated our expertise in sourcing original OEM parts for older equipment, a challenge that we readily accepted and conquered.
When a leading genset manufacturer needed to source OEM filtration units that were written into a product specification around 10 years ago, we were able to manufacture and deliver the vital filtration systems to meet a very short deadline and keep the project on track.
“What seemed like a simple one-off request for an established Vokes brand filter rapidly evolved into a significant filtration requirement with a very short lead-in time,” explains Paul Baker, our Sales Director for Europe and Africa. “Fortunately, we at Cleanova have the agility to accommodate the unexpected. We traced the original filtration design, manufactured the OEM Vokes filters to the quality and quantities required, and overcame some interesting logistical challenges along the way.”
The online enquiry came from a major genset manufacturer in the US, who was working on delivering gensets for a major crude oil pipeline in Africa. Transporting crude oil over long distances by pipeline requires reliable power generation at regular intervals. These gensets often operate in remote, harsh environments and draw on various fuel types to function effectively. Filtration is essential in preventing equipment damage and downtime by ensuring that the crude oil is clean of contaminants before it enters the generator.
A key benefit of the Vokes filtration unit is its Duplex design. A unique transflow valve enables the flow to be switched between filters, meaning there is no need to stop the generator to swap out a spent filter. Consequently, there is no interruption to the fuel supply through the pipeline. This tried and tested design was a major factor in the Vokes filtration solution being specified in the original bill of materials.
Due to their usual vendor being unable to supply the filtration units, the genset manufacturer no longer had a supplier for these essential filtration units. Meantime, Vokes filtration had become part of Cleanova. Finding an alternative filtration solution in the timeframe was not an option. Not only would any alternative filter struggle to meet Vokes’ track record for reliability and low maintenance, but they would also need to meet the same footprint and connection locations precisely to work within the existing genset design.
Fortunately, our team at Cleanova responded promptly to the initial enquiry, and relationships were quickly re-established. Paul Baker says, “We retain the original designs for our filtration products because we know their reliability means it can be many years before a replacement is required. In this instance, it enabled us to manufacture multiple original Vokes filtration units that meet the customer’s original specifications precisely.”
The genset manufacturer needed the filtration units within a tight time frame to meet the pipeline operator’s timetable. This was not only challenging from a manufacturing perspective but also raised some delivery challenges. We were not registered as a preferred supplier, and there was no time to process the paperwork. To avoid any logistical delays this might cause, our team worked with a buying house so that the necessary paperwork and payment terms could be put in place, enabling us to ship the filtration units on schedule.
The filtration units were shipped in three batches through 2023. They were then installed and tested by the genset manufacturer before the finished items were sent out to Nigeria.
In conclusion, Paul Baker says, “Providing engineered solutions to filtration challenges is not just about the engineering aspects, it’s about total customer support. This project illustrates how we at Cleanova mobilize rapidly and intelligently to overcome any obstacles and ensure that the customer meets their targets for quality, performance, and delivery.”