Welcome to the Trillium Flow Technologies FlowCast, a podcast sharing expertise and insights on engineered valves, pumps, and actuators across power, oil and gas, general industry, and water and wastewater sectors. Tune in and learn what it's like to have the confidence you want through every stage of the life of your operation.
In this special episode of FlowCast, host Michelle Dawn Mooney sits down with two of Trillium Flow Technologies' key sustainability leaders. Ashley Desjardins has been with Trillium more than four years and currently serves as the Global Sustainability Analyst, while Elena Alekseyeva has been with the company for over three years and provides administrative support to the Trillium Canada team.
The landscape of the flow control industry, traditionally dominated by men, is changing. This shift is evident as we celebrate International Women's Day, highlighting the significance of diversity and inclusion in sectors like engineered valves, pumps, and actuators. Studies show that companies with diverse leadership are 19% more likely to outperform their peers in terms of profitability. This fact underscores the importance of embracing varied perspectives in engineering fields. What challenges do women face in the flow control industry, and how can they overcome them? Flowcast, a podcast presented by Trillium Flow Technologies, tackles this question. Host Michelle Dawn Mooney welcomes guests Cissy Zhao, Managing Director at Trillium China, and Meghan Wichuk, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at Trillium. They share their insights on thriving in a male-dominated industry. They cover: Overcoming Industry Challenges: The episode focuses on the obstacles Cissy and Mehgan have encountered and their strategies for success, highlighting resilience and determination. Promoting Workplace Diversity: They delve into Trillium Flow Technologies' initiatives to create a more inclusive and diverse work environment. Guidance for Future Female Leaders: Cissy and Mehgan offer advice to women aiming for leadership roles, emphasizing authenticity, lifelong learning, and seizing opportunities. Cissy Zhao brings a wealth of experience from her years in sales and operational management across various multinational companies, including her significant contributions to the growth and expansion of Trillium's facility in Suzhou, China. With an educational background in engineering, Cissy's journey reflects her dedication to breaking stereotypes and leading with innovation. Mehgan Wichuk spent over two decades in the legal field, primarily within oil field services, before joining Trillium. Her transition to manufacturing highlights her adaptability and commitment to understanding the intricacies of a new industry, all while championing diversity and inclusion within the corporate landscape.
Technological advancements are reshaping industries, and Trillium Flow Technologies stands at the forefront with its groundbreaking product launches for 2024. During a recent episode of FlowCast, Michelle Dawn Mooney delved deep into this innovation, revealing how Trillium's integration of its Gabbioneta Pumps and Termomeccanica Pompe brands facilitated the development of new standards in pump technology. With a heritage that spans over 200 years, Trillium's latest offerings reach far beyond product enhancement, but also about shaping the future of fluid movement technologies. How will Trillium's strategic integration of its product lines redefine the pump industry, and what does this mean for the future of engineered valves, pumps, and actuators? Sam Eccels, the Product Director for Pumps and Ricardo Ciceri, the Engineering Director at Trillium join Michelle Dawn Mooney on the show to discuss the company's innovative product launches for 2024 and their implications for the industry. They focus on: Trillium's relaunched product portfolio, including integrated offerings from Gabbioneta Pumps and Termomeccanica Pompe brands. Challenges faced during the integration process and strategies employed to overcome them. Future plans for Trillium, including vertical product rationalization and ongoing R&D projects. Sam Eccles boasts an impressive 17-year career in the pump industry, including various roles in commercial operations, quality, engineering, and product management. Ricardo Ciceri, with over 25 years of experience, has been pivotal in product and project management at Trillium. Their combined expertise underscores Trillium's commitment to innovation and excellence.
Trillium Flow Technologies, 2023 year in review, looks back on a year marked with highlights that will usher in a fantastic 2024.As 2023 draws to a close, the industrial world reflects on a year marked by significant technological advancements and business growth. Trillium Flow Technologies, a leader in engineered valves, pumps, and actuators, stands out with its remarkable achievements. This year, they've made notable strides in IoT smart valve technology, expanded their brand presence in the US, and successfully integrated new acquisitions. These developments are not just about technological progress; they represent a shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and customer-centric solutions in the industry.How has Trillium Flow Technologies redefined industry standards in 2023, and what does their success tell us about the future of engineered flow control solutions?Welcome to FlowCast, a Trillium Flow Technologies Podcast. In this episode, host Michelle Dawn Mooney and David Paradis, CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, review an eventful 2023 and discuss the company's significant milestones, technological innovations, and future outlook.The conversation includes: • Expansion and Integration: Trillium's growth through new facilities, like the Hiller facility and the integration of Termomeccanica Pompe into the Trillium family• Technological Advancements: The launch of Trillium's IoT smart valve technology and the expansion of the Sarasin-RSBD brand showcasing a commitment to innovation and customer needs• Global Market Growth: Trillium's successful expansion in the Middle East and the US, along with record-setting performance in the UK and robust growth in China, highlights its global impactDavid Paradis, CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, is a visionary leader in the flow control industry. With a rich background in engineering and business, Paradis has been instrumental in steering Trillium toward technological innovation and global expansion. His leadership has been pivotal in integrating new acquisitions and driving the company toward a sustainable future.
The Hiller grand opening of its new facility and location marks exciting news for the nuclear power industry.As the energy demand continues to grow, the nuclear power industry is shifting from large base-load nuclear plants to smaller, more compact designs known as small modular reactors. With this shift comes the need for innovative solutions and technologies that can adapt to these new designs. According to recent data, the nuclear power market expects its value to reach $58.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2021 to 2030, highlighting the importance of staying ahead in this dynamic sector.So, how are industry leaders adapting to these changes, and what does the future hold for flow technologies in the nuclear power industry?In the latest episode of FlowCast, a podcast by Trillium Flow Technologies, hosted by Michelle Dawn Mooney, the grand opening of Hiller gets the spotlight treatment. Joining the conversation are Kevin McPherson, a General Manager with Trillium Flow Technologies, and Vince Elias, Global Sales Manager for Hiller, a Trillium Flow Technologies company.Mooney, McPherson, and Elias discuss the following:• The history and evolution of Hiller from its inception in the 1950s to its current role in the nuclear power industry• The driving forces behind Hiller's decision to invest in facility relocation• How Hiller is adapting to the changing demands of the nuclear power market with its new facilityKevin McPherson is the plant manager for US Valves and Hiller under Trillium Flow Technologies. McPherson has been with Trillium for eleven years. He has witnessed the company's growth and is excited about the potential the new Hiller location brings.With over twenty years of experience in the nuclear power industry, Vince Elias brings a wealth of knowledge. As the Global Sales Manager for Hiller, he has been instrumental in guiding the company through the industry's changing landscape.
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, aftermarket services have become a pivotal aspect of customer satisfaction and business growth. As industries continue to innovate, the demand for efficient, reliable, and high-quality services has surged. A recent study indicates that these services are a significant revenue stream and a key differentiator in the market for businesses. So, how are leading companies adapting to these demands and ensuring that their customers remain at the forefront of their service offerings?On this episode of FlowCast by Trillium, host Michelle Dawn Mooney dives deep into the developments of aftermarket services with guest Andrea Nicora, the Aftermarket & Services Director for Trillium Flow Technologies. Andrea has a rich background in engineering and a passion for customer-centric services, having over twenty years of experience in the field at different stages. All of this experience allows Andrea to fully explore the nuances of aftermarket services and how Trillium is innovating to meet customer needs.Key points in this discussion include:- The segmentation of Trillium's services into three main categories: spare parts, level one services, and L2 services.- The importance of genuine spare parts and the APS (Advanced Parts Solutions) program.- The diverse range of rotating machine services offered by Trillium, from refurbishments to technical assistance.Andrea Nicora graduated in mechanical engineering in 1998 and began his career as a project engineer in the shipbuilding sector. Over the years, he has held various roles, including Quality Manager, Supply Chain Manager, and General Manager for services in thermo mechanical engineering. In 2022, Andrea was appointed as the Aftermarket & Services Director for Trillium Flow Technologies in Italy.
The dynamic world of pressure valve technology is continuously evolving. Current trends suggest a shift towards more efficient, reliable, and adaptable systems. Estimates forecast the valve market to grow at a 3.5 percent compound annual growth rate over the next six years, driven by increasing demand in power generation, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors. Amidst this burgeoning market, a new contender is making waves: StarFlow V. The critical question is: How does the StarFlow V revolutionize the pressure valve technology market? What sets it apart from existing products in the industry? On a new episode of “FlowCast” by Trillium Flow Technologies, host Michelle Dawn Mooney talked to Sebastien Vermeulen, Global Product Manager at Trillium. The discussion revolved around the StarFlow V, its role in the market, and what it brings to the table. The episode also covered: StarFlow V's unique positioning in the market is based on its high efficiency and reliability. A comprehensive explanation of the pressure valve technology behind the StarFlow V and how it sets itself apart in the marketplace. Insight into the standards and compliances met by the StarFlow V and how these impact its performance and applicability. Sebastien Vermeulen is a tenured Global Product Manager at Trillium and has been with the company for eight years. With a background in engineering, he moved to a role within the product team, first as inside sales, then as a product manager. Vermeulen's decade-long expertise in pressure valve technology makes him an ideal guest to discuss the StarFlow V's market positioning and potential.
In an era where Industry 4.0 is transforming the approach of manufacturing and maintenance, Trillium Flow Technologies keeps ahead of the trends with continual product enhancements and new product development, including investment in 3D technology. One of Trillium's latest innovations is its smart flow technology, which provides a broad-based IIoT strategy through a combination of Smart Valve and Smart Pump technology. Addressing the challenge of costly downtime due to asset failure, Trillium now empowers its customers to predict maintenance issues before they occur, reducing operational costs and downtime. According to Andrea Bellingeri, Global Product Director, Trillium's new technology could save companies up to 35% on parts and significantly decrease downtime costs. How can businesses leverage this technology to improve operations and reduce costs? In the latest episode of FlowCast, host Michelle Dawn Mooney explored Trillium's solutions and the benefits of their new smart valve technology. Mooney spoke with Bellingeri and Ged Chauveau, Head of Engineering for Trillium Flow UK Valves, to share insights on Trillium's latest offering. The discussion spans a range of themes, from the importance of predictive maintenance to the key features and capabilities of the new smart valve technology. Main Points from the Episode: - Trillium's smart valve technology helps predict issues before failure, reducing downtime and costs. - The new technology offers numerous benefits, including reduced unplanned shutdowns, equipment failures, and operational costs. - Trillium's IoT-connected valves offer real-time data analysis and a user-friendly interface for tracking asset performance. Bellingeri is the Global Product Director for Isolation and Control Valves for Trillium and has extensive industry experience in product development and management. Chauveau leads the engineering team at Trillium UK Valves and is instrumental in developing this innovative smart flow technology.
Hydrogen is considered a greener and better alternative to other forms of gas energy production. It reduces emissions and can be produced from many sources, as opposed to only fossil fuels. The hydrogen market has a promising future but there are some key areas that need to be explored with its growth. Where is the growth of the hydrogen market headed? And how are some companies in the industry contributing? For this episode of "Flowcast," host Michelle Dawn Mooney interviewed two team members of Trillium: Simon Bradshaw, Global Director of Engineering and Technology, and Sanket Walimbe, Technical Development Manager. The three discussed hydrogen, its value, some of the technical challenges in utilizing it, and how it can see wider adoption across the globe. Mooney, Bradshaw, and Walimbe further talked about: Renewable energy and its rise The potential of the hydrogen market and its value chain givens its pros and cons The future of the hydrogen market “The cost of hydrogen is still really high compared to other methods of producing it, but the main ones are gray and black hydrogen, or blue hydrogen, which are generally derived from fossil fuels. ‘Those costs for green hydrogen are likely to reduce significantly depending on innovation and all those things within the marketplace, but it's currently still not cost competitive,” said Bradshaw. Walimbe added that Trillium is best equipped in preparation for the growth of the hydrogen market. "All I would say is that we have great intelligence on this topic within our business and product line, and it can also be compatible with the application with certain modifications, and with this in hand, we are keeping an eye on how the economy is taking shape in the future so we can adapt to it as we go on," he said. Simon Bradshaw is the Global Director of Engineering and Technology at Trillium. He's been with the company for a year now, and was previously the Director of Engineering at Circor Industries Americas. Bradshaw has been in the engineering industry since 1986 and is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University and also holds credentials as a Chartered Engineer from the Institution of Engineering Designers. Sanket Walimbe is the Technical Development Manager at Trillium. He's been with the company for close to two years now and was previously the Principal Engineer at Trelleborg Group. Walimbe is a graduate of Alliance Manchester Business School and the University of Sheffield.
Additive Manufacturing, also known as 3D technology, is revolutionizing our world and performing crucial roles in many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, design, and architecture. It has so far changed, replaced, and provided faster production and delivery; it is a shortcut to bringing many imaginations to life. According to a report, the 3D modeling market was valued at 13.49 billion (USD) in 2020 and is projected to register a compound annual growth rate of 20.9% over the forecast period. On this episode, Michelle Dawn Mooney, the host of FlowCast, chats with Bryan Voytilla, the VP of product management at Trillium Flow Technologies, about new product development and how these updates address customers' needs. "There are a lot of technologies out there, but the one we are investing in is 3D printing technology. We have a lot of projects using 3D printing technologies to redesign components of pumps and valves faster. As a result, we can reduce manufacturing time by over 60%. We feel additive manufacturing, especially 3D printing, will be a game changer for us and how we provide those parts and components for all our products in a very short cycle time." Michelle then asked Bryan about the specific products and technology used currently concerning the new valve and pump releases. Bryan went on to say: "One is the 78 full bore safety valve design, which provides a higher capacity versus a reduced port valve. It's a pilot-operated pressure relief valve. Another is smart valve technology. We have developed an algorithm that helps us monitor the performance of the trim of the valve, specifically in a control valve, so we can help predict how that valve is operating in service today and how it's going to operate in the future. That's the most important thing for our customers." The power sector was also not left out of the discussion, as Michelle wanted to know which developments in the power section Trillium is focusing on right now; Bryan comments: "Traditional power sources are still being used; we are focusing on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The idea is to scale down a traditional nuclear power reactor. We are working very closely with the key players in the SMR industry to help develop our products and scale down to meet their needs.
As 2022 comes to a close and 2023 draws closer, it's time for both people and businesses to reflect upon their goals for 2022 and outline goals they may set for 2023. How do companies in the industrial manufacturing space approach their annual reflections and use this to plan for the next year? On today's episode of Flowcast by Trillium Technologies, Host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with David Paradis, CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, to recap the goals Trillium Technologies met in 2022, how they achieved those goals, and what they are planning for 2023. Mooney and Paradis also discussed… The growth and milestones that Trillium has seen in 2022 Ways Trillium has demonstrated its values and tenets internally and externally What Paradis is looking forward to for Trillium in 2023 Paradis explains some of the reasons Trillium succeeded in 2022: "Looking back on 2022, we made more progress on the operational side of the [One Trillium] transformation than we had in a long, long time, and that's just great to see. We've got a great group of plant managers, general managers, and managing directors around the world that really support the initiative and are really excited about the benefits it is going to bring to the whole of Trillium." Paradis is the Chief Executive Officer of Trillium Flow Technologies and is a skilled business leader in the flow control industry. He has previously served in roles including Divisional President of Flow Control and President of The Weir Group PLC as well as Global Director of Sales & Marketing at Tyco Flow Control Holdings. Paradis earned his BA in Mechanical Engineering and his Masters's in Business Administration from Texas A&M University.
In April of this year, Trillium Flow Technologies completed its acquisition of Termomeccanica Pompe. The merger brought together two titans in the pump industry. Adding Termomeccanica Pompe's product and service lineup to Trillium's existing pump offering created a unique opportunity to provide customers with a robust range of complementary solutions. Host Michelle Dawn Mooney got the chance to speak with Edoardo Garibotti, Managing Director for Trillium Pumps Italy, and Sam Eccles, Product Director for Pumps, about the exciting changes. Throughout their discussion, Mooney, Garibotti, and Eccles touch on the following: Why Trillium and Termomeccanica make such a great fit The markets served and their complementary offerings An update on how the integration is going at the six month mark Some of the challenges faced during the integration and how Trillium Flow Technologies is overcoming them “The surprise wasn't that there were challenges, but opportunities,” Garibotti said. “We found the people linking the two companies were linked by the same values. It was the same mentality, and it was quite simple to bring people together and come to a common understanding.” Edoardo Garibotti's experience with Termomeccanica Pompe spans a career of twenty-three years, with a total of thirty in industrial supply chain management. Sam Eccles is an engineer and MBA who joined Trillium Flow Technologies in May 2022. His involvement in the pump industry dates back more than a dozen years, where he worked for CLYDEUNION Pumps and Celeros Flow Technology.
Successful companies are made up of more than just their products; it's their people, too. At Trillium Flow Technologies, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot be understated. Reflecting on the value and importance of these core beliefs, Michelle Dawn Mooney hosts a conversation with Trillium's Vice President of Human Resources, Jessica Stulberg. Even after only a year with Trillium, Stulberg recognized the human capital aspect of business and its important role in the company's overall success. “We partner with the business, the function partners with the business to see how we can drive success in our strategies through people in the organization,” said Stulberg. Making diversity, equity, and inclusion a part of Trillium's core beliefs ensures employee's needs are being recognized, heard, and met; it also positively impacts the communities and suppliers of the business. Stulberg said, “We know that we get better business outcomes when we have diversity of thought, diversity of experiences, and diversity of culture in our organization.” To help promote these values, Trillium reached out to the heart of the business: people. Stulberg noted, “We created a diversity and inclusion committee that's comprised of employees and leaders across the organization so they can share their ideas and make impactful changes in our organization.” The committee has created a Diversity and Inclusion charter through Trillium's policy statement, developed key initiatives focused on the recruitment of females in STEM and leadership, generated core and basic KPI's in each operating country, and added basic training on unconscious bias. Among initiative successes, from 2020 to 2021, Trillium increased the total number of females in the organization by almost 30%, and Trillium's year-over-year recruitment of women in STEM positions has increased by over 20%.
“We believe we operate in an essential sector with strong tailwinds in terms of the market growth,” Yilmaz said. “Energy security is quite key, as we've seen from some unfortunate events we've witnessed over the past couple of months. If you look at some of the key sectors we serve, nuclear power, collational power, and oil and gas are poised for growth from an energy security perspective. On top of that, energy transition is still high on the agenda.” In addition, Trillium recognizes the need for solid infrastructure, especially around water and wastewater throughout the globe.Servicing customers is a top matrix for success at Trillium, and Yilmaz said they are continually looking for new ways to enhance their products and experiences for the customer. “We see a lot of focus on service, especially in being present in certain geographies and supporting the aftersales activities for the customers.”Navigating supply chain challenges is one area Yilmaz said Trillium recognized as a critical pain point to manage for its customer base. “Being on time for our customers, especially in the energy industry, is key in the criticality of our services and products, so we're quite focused on that.”“We are investing in key geographies and key regions and following through our commitments to our customers,” Yilmaz said while noting Trillium deployed various technological advancements in augmented and virtual reality to support customers during COVID when face-to-face interactions were limited.
API 610 has remained the primary standard governing the supply of centrifugal pumps in the oil and gas industry since 1954. Pumps made to this standard provide safe and reliable use and a long lifespan. Bradshaw said it was critical to remember that the average initial purchase price is only around twelve to fifteen percent of the total lifecycle cost. "People tend to focus on the upfront price, but that's the wrong thing to be looking at. Compared to that twelve to fifteen percent, the upfront price, around forty percent of your total lifecycle cost is operating, maintenance, and downtime." The new edition of the standard came out in January of 2021, but Bradshaw mentioned that the pandemic may have shifted notice away from the release, so it is a good thing to get the word out now. And while updates to the standard typically happen every five years, the 12th edition took eleven years. The wait is over. So, what's new? One of the most noticeable updates to the standard is shaft guarding around the mechanical seal area. Previous editions did require guarding, but not in this specific area. This latest edition also changes several areas in material selection to increase pump reliability. “These pumps are often handling very aggressive fluids, very corrosive fluids, and having the right materials is an important aspect,” Bradshaw said. But he did note that while the standard updated the material selection, the responsibility remained with the purchaser for the material selection. The wrong choice could lead to accelerated flow corrosion.
David Paradis, CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, joined host Michelle Dawn Mooney to make an exciting announcement. Trillium recently completed the acquisition of Termomeccanica Pompe. Termomeccanica is a 110-year-plus company from Italy that offers an extensive range of highly engineered vertical turbine and split case pumps used in water transmission, desalination, power generation, and the oil and gas markets. They also operate a solution-oriented, rotating equipment service organization serving the Middle East and Europe.Termomeccanica Pompe will merge with another longstanding Italian Trillium-owned company, Gabbioneta Pumps. Paradis couldn't wait to bring together these two legacy pump manufacturers with incredible people and products.“Termomeccanica Pompe is a business we've had our eye on for quite some time,” Paradis said, “It really fits our M&A strategy around highly engineered products with great aftermarket opportunity and nice recurring revenues. It's a brand and a product that creates stickiness with our customers.”Termomeccanica Pompe's entrepreneurial spirit and focus on customers made it a natural fit for Trillium's culture. “Termomeccanica Pompe has expertise in engineering products for specific applications, and we like that,” Paradis said. “That's complimentary to our configured product. Gabbioneta is more engineered to order and Termomeccanica Pompe is more designed to order.”Termomeccanica Pompe's turbine pump product line also broadens the existing range of Trillium's Floway brand. They specialize in larger and higher-capacity pumps with engineering know-how and testing capabilities. Paradis said this extension instantaneously upgrades Trillium's offerings. In the space occupied by Gabbioneta, Termomeccanica Pompe opens the water vertical, which provides a crucial market opportunity.“We like Termomeccanica Pompe's core markets,” Paradis said, “They grew up in water applications and desalination applications. We're going to continue doing more of that. They also have some great technology that they're about to launch into those applications. They also have an opportunity to move more into mining. We have a strong position in mining with our Floway brand, and there are some great applications for larger capacity pumps in mining.”
Innovative companies know it's possible to do well by doing good. Many firms have reaped financial benefits by committing to sustainable business practices. Trillium initiated environmental, social, and governance changes by recruiting employees into a specialized team in 2019.Trillium Flow Technologies Senior Vice President Mehgan Wichuk said, “When I was able to start a sustainability discussion with our executive team in 2019, we started with why we should be an advocate for sustainability in the workplace and [evaluated] what practices we were already doing.” After starting with the research on sustainability and understanding the materiality threshold available to Trillium, the team hired an outside consultant to begin the process.After determining Trillium's baseline, the initiative set goals and found willing employees to participate in the team. “[We wanted to] capture the internal teams' passion, drive, and interest,” Wichuk said. “Individuals applied for the team and were divided into environmental and social categories. The team creates yearly initiatives.”“They [really] are a superhero team. These are members from each of our facilities, 12 worldwide, with one or two members per plant,” Wichuk said. “The strength is that the team comes from a range of areas. Some members represent HR, others safety or engineering. With a variety of roles, the team has a clearer perspective. They brainstorm ideas that are coming out of their plants.”Trillium can remain agile in a changing world by shifting to sustainable practices. Carbon neutrality is the goal, but these practices will help the company shift when materials are in short supply or prices increase. Our economy favors lower-carbon energy sources and non-fossil-fuel resources. The initiatives offer no-regret strategies, which means they provide practical solutions that start with sustainability and improve quality of life.
World Water Day began in 1993 and has occurred on March 22nd every year since. This celebration of water seeks to raise awareness for the 2.2 billion people on the planet who live without access to safe water. Joshua Jensen, Senior Sales Director, Western Hemisphere for Trillium Flow Technologies, spoke to Michelle Dawn Moody about some of the initiatives Trillium's involved with to make this mission a reality.Trillium's mission to provide safe drinking water solutions for millions in North America dates back eighty-five years. While Jensen humbly suggested Trillium Flow's products play only a small part in these efforts, they contribute to bringing safe water to over 300 million people in North America. “We work with and support some of the largest water and wastewater districts across North America, helping them develop solutions for their water or wastewater treatment facilities,” Jensen said.Trillium offers critical water pumping-based products manufactured in their U.S. facility located in Fresno, California. Their Floway brand provides vertical turbine pumps for water, wastewater, and dewatering applications. “Our Floway products are NSF 61 and 372-certified for drinking water and drinking water treatment chemicals,” Jensen said. “Which allows us to support the demanding services of the water market.” Both Floway and Trillium's Wemco line are industry-leading, known for their quality and longevity in the water market.While the United States may have access and infrastructure to support clean and safe drinking water, many areas across the globe do not, which is why Jensen said Trillium's support of World Water Day is crucial. Climate change brings new challenges into the equation. “In just North America alone, the Western United States is experiencing some of the worst drought periods in the last 100 years and record growth, putting a greater strain on our water supplies.” Water consumption reduction, reuse, and recycled water technologies will be needed to maximize available water supplies.
In this episode of Trillium Flow Technologies‘ FlowCast podcast, host Hilary Kennedy sat down with Webster Madole — who serves as Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Supply Chain at Trillium — to discuss what factors are crucial for supply chain execution during times marked by unpredictability and constantly changing conditions.Madole, whose work in supply chain totals 25 years, explained to Kennedy that — between supplier execution, labor issues, and material availability — there is no playbook for running a perfectly executed supply chain. “One great way to mitigate [never having a perfectly executed supply chain] is to [make sure it is as] robust [as possible],” he stated.Accordingly, when Kennedy asked what defines a robust supply chain, Madole explained that it is not a one-size-fits-all situation.“Certainly [one crucial factor is] the number of suppliers you have. Are you sole-sourced?” he asked rhetorically. “Or did you have the foresight to have secondary and tertiary suppliers in place that could handle those capabilities? Have you developed production parts with them?”He also added that the location of a supply chain, specifically having local and regional options, can help solve many of the previously addressed challenges.In addition to a robust supply chain, Madole discussed the importance of leveraging the customer relationship, especially through the supply impact. “When these challenges [such as COVID] come, [companies need to consider] the ones [who are hurting most]: our customers. They're the livelihood of our business. They're number one — it doesn't matter if it's good times, bad times, or typical times.”Madole emphasized the importance of engaging customers during such times. “If you engage them, it's really surprising what can come from that,” he said. “If you can explain to them the complexities and all the leverage you are pulling, and you can still execute supply chain [to at least a degree,] it really can create a partnership that pays for years.”Tune in to the podcast to hear more of Kennedy and Madole's conversation, such as how Trillium reacted quickly and precisely amid the pandemic, the importance of having a relationship with suppliers, and other unique matters that are cropping up during this unusual — and critical — time in supply chain history.
The well-publicized, recent and ongoing supply shortage of a wide range of materials is leading many manufacturers to postpone or reschedule projects, effectively leaving them on the table. But Red Point Alloys BV's' (RPA) success in overcoming that obstacle with that company's focal product, supply valves, is a feat that — according to General Manager Fred Jansen — proves his company is rising above the competition. “We're grateful not to have those [postponement or rescheduling] issues,” Jansen recently shared with Hilary Kennedy, host of the FlowCast podcast. And, with all RPA components and materials made in Europe — close to its shop in the Netherlands — Jansen is confident his company has even more of an edge with shorter turnaround times. In turn, those quicker times ensure RPA can supply businesses with the necessary valves they need, pronto. “If a plant gets shut down and valves are missing, the time to replace them is crucial,” Jansen said. “But because fast-tracking valves is really in our DNA, and it's how we think and how we act, we make sure companies have the supplies they require ahead of time.” Jansen boasts that RPA not only has shorter delivery times on valves but is also a customer-focused company. Since RPA's recent merger with Trillium Flow Technologies in 2021, RPA has grown its customer base and its product portfolio. Their valves are made with a broad array of materials available on the market, even exotic materials like titanium, Jansen said. “We are in full control of every step [of the process], from engineering to production, right up to the assembly and testing of the parts,” he told Kennedy on her podcast. “We become a one-stop shop where we're committed to supplying high-quality valves and to enabling our customers to start up as soon as possible.”
The world of pressure relief values is a global one, with opportunities growing each day. And it was in another section of the globe, Bryan Voytilla, Global Product Director, Pressure Relief Valves at Trillium Flow Technologies, recently found himself. Voytilla recently returned from Trillium's two manufacturing facilities in France, and he brought home some timely insights and takeaways to share with FlowCast's Hilary Kennedy. Trillium's Northern France facility focuses on many general valve needs, and their Southern France operation develops valves for the nuclear industry and aeronautics. While both factories share similarities and differences, Voytilla noticed that everything they are doing, from process improvements to technology design and innovation, is driven by customer needs. “It's a constant focus to try and drive a better experience for our customers,” Voytilla said. “And that can be anywhere from the beginning part of an order, and how we quote, all the way through the production cycle and the post-shipment cycle, and how our customers interact with us.” So, what does Voytilla see coming down the pipeline for pressure relief valves? “There's always been this need for a higher degree of monitoring equipment in the field,” Voytilla said. “It's difficult to bring a digital side to mechanical technology. So, I'm excited to see that as a need because it really drives and pushes the need for innovation and how we design and provide a product to our customers. It's exciting for me to be a part of this space, and this market, to see how it's going to change and how we support those customers.”But with change comes challenges, and Voytilla believes that the leap to new methods could be difficult for some, but the industry's major players will be excited to figure out all of the puzzle pieces to forge a new path for pressure relief valves.
The amount of data, data sources, tools, and technologies has increased tremendously, and companies have had a hard time keeping up. Some companies have kept up and evolved to make sure to thrive in their sectors. Trillium is one of those companies thriving. On this episode of FlowCast by Trillium Flow Technologies, Host Hilary Kennedy talked with Alberto Fajardo, Global Sales Operations Manager at Trillium Flow Technologies. He sees firsthand which technologies work and which don't and how to technology can add value in an ever-changing market. “The role of sales operations at Trillium is to support our company's go to market strategy,” Fajardo said. “It's a strategy that is centered around our customers, focused on providing valuable solutions to meet our customers' needs and ensure their success.” With the vast amount of data, data sources, technologies, and new tools available, Trillium leverages the value of these tools to find solutions specific for each customer. This means they have to spend time getting to know their customers to understand what their customers really need and how best to help them. “Our teams understand this and are committed to bringing more value every day,” Fajardo said. “What we do is make these technologies work for us, so we can measure how we're performing in key areas, such as delivering quotes on time, ensuring our customers that reach out to us get a quick response, and on-time delivery of our orders.”
On this episode of FlowCast by Trillium Flow Technologies, host Courtney Echerd talked with Neil Langdown, Global Product Director of Pumps at Trillium, about the fourth industrial revolution in the pump industry. The first industrial revolution was mechanization, with things such as the water wheel, windmill and steam power. The second was around the early 20th century, and that was all mass production and the assembly line. In the 1960s, there was the third industrial revolution, which was computerization and automation. About four years ago, the fourth industrial revolution began, involving a fusion of cyber and physical systems. It has also been called Industry 4.0. In the United States, it's known as smart manufacturing. "But, effectively, it's about artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 3D printing, big data analytics, augmented reality, and, of course, the industrial Internet of Things," Langdown said. "But, I suppose you could distill all of that into the underlying premise, which is that, by using different technologies, we can communicate with each other to increase production, identify bottlenecks and potentially identify issues before they cause a premature failure." This will impact the rotating equipment industry, such as pumps, compressors and turbines. The traditional model of service was to run the pump to failure. The end user would call their service provider or OEM to find a solution. It was a reactive approach. Later, in the evolution of pumps, providers moved toward a more preventative maintenance approach, where the pump's condition is monitored. Listen to hear more about how the fourth industrial revolution is impacting the pump industry.
During this challenging era, it's essential to find ways to elevate relationships with customers and potential customers. Businesses across the board have had to get creative on how they make money, but one thing that never gets old is adding value.On this episode of Flow Cast by Trillium Flow Technologies, host Shelby Skrhak talked to Frank Gilhooly, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Trillium, about adding value for customers and potential customers during these COVID-constrained times.Sales and marketing are different, but they go hand-in-hand. They rely on one another, and both need each other. After 35 years in the industrial products industry, Gilhooly has found that each has its role and that the two are like a relay team.“The better the collaboration, the better the outcome on both sides,” Gilhooly said. But, anything that happens for either department always starts with the customer. Of course, all things must take into account Trillium's company-wide strategic plan. Gilhooly always focuses on how they commercialize product strategies, improve their presence in front of the customer and help customers achieve their goals.“We want to marry the tools and align marketing and sales to help us reach more customers in a world where face-to-face communication is extremely difficult and expensive,” Gilhooly said.
Why does someone choose to do business with one company over another? What's the differentiating factor? In this episode of FlowCast, a Trillium Flow Technologies podcast, host Shelby Skrhak sought to answer that question with Trillium Divisional Managing Director Nick Adcock, an accomplished global business leader with experience across several key markets, including oil and gas, automotive, and aerospace. He discussed why focusing on customer needs and having a strong constancy of purpose can be the difference-maker in your business."All businesses want to be more competitive, more efficient, more reliable and have more compliant products, because our customers are demanding it," Adcock said. That's why providing products with the latest industry technology is important, but meeting customer demand is more than providing a satisfactory product. The key is understanding the universal appeal of great customer service."No matter what sector you work in, all customers highly value great service," Adcock said. "We all do. Before the sale, during the sale process, after you've delivered your products – it's that after- service that people remember."Meeting a customer's needs means meeting that customer where they are — literally and metaphorically. "Customers like doing business in their own language, in their own culture," Adcock said. "They like doing business locally, in their own time zone, so they can see you and talk to you."
Anyone who has tracked the energy industry over the past decade can affirm just how much the market has changed. But, in all that time, many legacy companies remain at the top of their field.How do these companies adapt to this constantly changing environment, and what can other energy professionals learn from them? Host Shelby Skrhak taps David Paradis, the CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, for his insights on the topic.Paradis has long-established ties to the industry. As an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University, he studied mechanical engineering and went through a co-op program with Keystone International, as well. He's stayed in the field ever since.Since his initial foray into energy, the Trillium CEO has witnessed trends like emerging technology, sustainability and globalization transform the industry.For example, “from a technology standpoint… those things have continued to advance over the years, and that's made quite a bit of a challenge, because we need to serve our customers and perform well,” he said. “There's been a greater focus on things like safety and reliability because of the complexity of these systems, and we've had to respond and adapt.” However, the key to Trillium's success lies in its customer-focused service. Paradis maintains that adhering to customer promises is at the center of everything the company does.“That starts with engaging with the customers on a very local basis to understand their needs, and then meeting those needs,” he said.Subscribe to the Flowcast podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for more insights and thought leadership from experts in critical energy sectors.