AxFlow Takes Over T.A.P.S.
AxFlow UK Limited has acquired Yorkshire-based T.A.P.S. Ltd, one of the leading pump and mechanical seal service and repair operations in the North of England. The take-over, which was formalised in January, is a major development for AxFlow as it provides the Company with a substantial in-house pump maintenance engineering resource and operational base for its northern customers and prospects.
T.A.P.S. was formed in 1994 and from its new 1100 sq.m. premises in Huddersfield the company provides a nationwide repair and sales service encompassing a wide range of pump types and mechanical seals.
Announcing the acquisition, AxFlow Managing Director Tony Peters said: “This is the most important development that we have undertaken in the UK and it establishes AxFlow as one of the leading pump and service suppliers in the country. Bringing T.A.P.S. into AxFlow strengthens our service capabilities and gives us the additional engineering resources that will allow us expand our capabilities as a provider of fluid handling solutions. Under the stewardship of founder Tom Cooper, T.A.P.S. has built up a fine team of engineers and support staff which will be a great asset to the AxFlow group of companies.”
AxFlow’s acquisition of T.A.P.S. has been greeted enthusiastically by Tom Cooper. “I started T.A.P.S. over 13 years ago and I am very proud that we have achieved year-on-year growth throughout this period,” says Tom Cooper. “Now is the right time to join forces with a much larger organisation that can give us the support and financial strength to develop the business into a greater customer base and gain increased market share. Joining forces with AxFlow presents us with a fantastic opportunity.”
Integrating T.A.P.S. into the AxFlow UK operation gives AxFlow the capabilities to provide maintenance and service facilities for a far wider range of pumps than it has in the past. In recent months considerable investment has been made in new equipment at the Huddersfield plant, including the installation of two new cranes capable of lifting 15 tonnes in tandem, so that the largest of pumps can be handled with ease. Custom-built dynamic testing facilities are available for all pump types and full pressure testing can be provided when required.
The latest technology to be introduced is a dedicated booth for washing down pumps. This facility has a new shot blasting machine bay and incorporates a customised spray paint booth.
Following a programme of investing in the most up to date technology, premises and engineering resources has enabled T.A.P.S. to establish a reputation as one of the best repair shops in the business, reports Tony Peters. “AxFlow is recognised as one of the premier pump suppliers in the UK but we needed to strengthen our service capability in order to address the increased demand for this aspect of our business. The addition of T.A.P.S. to our organisation achieves this goal and provides us with a North of England base to add our operations in London and Aberdeen.”
Source: AxFlow Group
