Author: rusty

European Natural Gas Vehicle Association

News:

ENGVA conference puts Luxfer on the road to a greener future

NOTTINGHAM, England (May 21, 2006) – Luxfer recently exhibited alongside 31 other manufacturers and service providers at the 12th annual NGVs For A Better Climate conference in Brussels, Belgium.

Hosted by the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA) and featuring political speakers from across Europe, the event was aimed at improving awareness about the advantages of natural gas vehicles in relation to European energy security, clean air and the environment.

Mark Lawday, Luxfer’s project manager for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), said: “In line with the ENGVA’s initiative to improve clean energy technologies, Luxfer has developed a lightweight, large-diameter (410mm) aluminium-lined, fully wrapped carbon composite cylinder that can be supplied in lengths of up to three meters. Cylinders are designed to be mounted in groups on tops of buses or in subframes of trucks and are compatible with a number of existing compressed natural gas systems already on the market.”

The world’s largest manufacturer of composite cylinders, Luxfer is also developing a range of cylinders specifically designed to fit into taxi boots and underneath commercial vans as an added incentive for companies to convert their vehicle fleets to CNG.

California Society for Pulmonary Research

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Luxfer sponsors guest speaker at annual CSPR meeting

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2006) – Luxfer Gas Cylinders sponsored British physiotherapist Elisabeth Arnold as a guest speaker at the annual conference of the California Society for Pulmonary Research (CSPR) here.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Cutting Edge Developments in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).”

Ms. Arnold’s presentation on “English Patients’ Perspectives on COPD” provided valuable insights into European approaches to COPD treatment.

A specialist with clinical experience in pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory care in a variety of clinical settings, Ms. Arnold has conducted qualitative research concerning patient adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation. She has done much of her work under the auspices of the University of Southampton in the U.K. and has presented her findings, published earlier this year in Respiratory Medicine, at numerous national and international conferences. Ms. Arnold set up the pulmonary rehabilitation program at Kettering General Hospital and helped organize similar programs at Southampton General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portmouth.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer medical marketing manager, commented: “We were honored to help support the CSPR meeting and especially proud of Elisabeth’s contribution towards its success.”

News:

Cylinders made from patented Luxfer’s L7X alloy demonstrate dramatic weight savings at Rettmobil exhibition in Germany

NOTTINGHAM, England (May 16, 2006) - Visitors to the Luxfer Gas Cylinders stand at the high-profile Rettmobil Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services exhibition in Fulda, Germany, were invited to consider the dramatic weight savings, increased gas capacity and easy portability offered by a cylinder range made from Luxfer's patented L7X aluminium alloy.

The lighter-weight Luxfer Medical range of L7X-alloy cylinders helps reduce occupational injuries during patient and equipment handling while providing more gas for resuscitation and pain relief in emergency care.

Now in its sixth year, Rettmobil is Europe's largest dedicated emergency services exhibition, attracting more than 15,000 visitors, including paramedics, firefighters and rescue workers. Veronique McKellican, Luxfer's marketing director said: "Rettmobil, once again, was a highly successful exhibition for Luxfer. The event provided us a unique opportunity to demonstrate weight-saving advantages of our Luxfer Medical L7X-alloy cylinders to European crews still using heavy steel cylinders."

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders proudly sponsors Team Freakshow in Millennium Series paintball tournament

NOTTINGHAM, England (May 16, 2006) - Team Freakshow, a Luxfer-sponsored paintball team based in Munich, Germany, have been going from strength to strength in the international Millennium Series paintball tournament after achieving sixth place against outstanding competition in the Maxs European Masters recently held in Bittburg, Germany.

Ranked third in the Millennium tournament, the team's 22 players will be in action again June 2 - 4, 2006, at the Iberian Cup in Madrid, Spain.

Veronique McKellican, Luxfer Gas Cylinders marketing director, commented: "As silver-level sponsors of the Millennium Series and the only cylinder manufacturer in the world directly involved with paintball as a sport, we at Luxfer are delighted to offer our continued support. We wish Team Freakshow even greater success throughout the season."

News:

New Shanghai plant approved by government, now producing composite cylinders

SHANGHAI, China (April 1, 2006)—Luxfer Shanghai, the new Luxfer Gas Cylinders composite cylinder plant in China, has now been fully approved for operation by the Chinese government. The facility is now producing a limited number of cylinders in preparation for a ramp-up to full production later this year.

Luxfer Shanghai is the first major Luxfer investment in China. Because of the rapidly growing Chinese economy, growth prospects are excellent.

The new plant will primarily produce life-support cylinders for firefighters, supplying products to all major manufacturers of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Additional products will be manufactured for medical, industrial and compressed natural gas markets in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders joins Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association FIRESA

NOTTINGHAM, England—Luxfer Gas Cylinders became a full member of the Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association (FIRESA) on 1 February 2006.

Formed in April 2005, FIRESA is an association for suppliers to the fire and rescue services. The primary purpose of the association is to contribute positively to the growth and development of the fire and rescue service market, improving its effectiveness at protecting life, property and the environment. FIRESA is actively expanding its membership base to represent a full spectrum of interests across the fire and rescue sector.

Alongside Firebuy and the National Procurement Board, FIRESA is positioned to promote the aims of the National Procurement Strategy. Acting as a single point of industry contact for Firebuy, the association is aligning itself to facilitate procurement of appliances and respiratory equipment and to promote the Integrated Clothing Project. FIRESA also plans to play a major role in the proposed structure of the CFOA National Procurement Board.

Veronique McKellican, Luxfer marketing director, said: “Luxfer welcomes the opportunity to be part of FIRESA and to contribute actively to the growth and development of the fire and rescue service market through the work of the association.”

Visit the FIRESA website at www.firesa.org.uk for more information.

News:

Luxfer issues notice to owners and users of SCBA cylinders that need to be returned for testing

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2006)—Luxfer Gas Cylinders requests the help of SCBA owners and users in locating a small group of Luxfer composite cylinders that may not have been properly autofrettaged and/or hydrostatically tested by a third-party inspector, Arrowhead Industrial Services, Inc.

Luxfer has verified that the cylinders are safe based on thorough testing, detailed engineering analysis and data collected from many cylinders already recovered from the affected group. Every cylinder thus far tested has passed all required tests without incident. However, remaining cylinders must be recovered and tested as quickly as possible.

To determine whether you have cylinders that need to be tested, contact us to cross-reference the serial numbers of your Luxfer cylinders that have hydrostatic test dates from May through September 2005.

Once you have determined which cylinders, if any, need to be tested, please call this toll-free number: 1-800-355-3156. A Luxfer customer-service representative will arrange to have your cylinders tested and returned to you promptly at no charge.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and we thank you for your understanding and assistance.

News:

Luxfer fund-raising effort at Medica 2005 a show-stopping success

NOTTINGHAM, England (Nov. 21, 2005)—A Luxfer Gas Cylinders fund-raising event on behalf of Deutsche Selbsthilfegruppe Sauerstoff-Langzeit-Therapie (LOT), the German national support group for long-term oxygen therapy patients, was a great success at the Medica 2005 tradeshow held Nov. 16-19 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The event, sponsored by Luxfer, invited visitors to the Luxfer stand to donate one euro in return for a decorative piggy bank. The fund-raising effort was timed to coincide with the World COPD Day ‘Breathless Not Helpless’ campaign held Nov. 16. (COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.)

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European medical marketing manager, said, “LOT’s support network is a lifeline for people living with lung disease throughout Germany. Our Luxfer Medical event raised much-needed funds to help ensure that patients receive sufficient care and support and also raised awareness about COPD.”

Medica 2005 showcased the growing Luxfer Medical line of products, including lightweight medical gas cylinders made from Luxfer’s patented L7XTM aluminium alloy. The Luxfer Medical line also features lightweight hoop-wrap and composite cylinders that not only enhance patience mobility, but also reduce medical staff occupational injuries associated with equipment handling.

Lightweight Luxfer Medical cylinders are widely used throughout Europe, North America and Asia. For more information about the Luxfer Medical product line, visit the Luxfer Gas Cylinders website at www.luxfercylinders.com.

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Luxfer congratulates Nott’s Fire and Rescue Team’s New Zealand success

NOTTINGHAM, England (Nov. 3, 2005)—Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue’s top extrication team were amongst the top ten finalists in the World Extrication Challenge recently held in Hamilton, New Zealand.

As the only fire service in the world to successfully extricate a casualty during three separate road traffic collision scenarios, Nottinghamshire captain Stewart Key was subsequently awarded second place as the competition’s Best Team Captain for outstanding leadership and technical skills.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European Marketing Manager, said, “As one of the sponsors, we are extremely proud to be associated with this dedicated and hard-working team and look forward to continuing our long-standing working relationship in the run-up to future events.”

The World Extrication Challenge enables fire and rescue services from around the world to share specialist skills and techniques aimed at improving survival rates as well as reducing deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

News:

Luxfer medical to support World COPD Day at Medica 2005

NOTTINGHAM, England (Oct. 13, 2005)—Luxfer Medical will be hosting a fundraising event in support of GOLD’s World COPD Day on their stand at Medica in Dusseldorf on November 16th 2005.

Visitors to stand number C29, Hall 11 will be invited to donate €1 in return for a piggy bank in support of LOT, Germany’s national support group for long-term oxygen therapy patients.

GOLD was launched in 1997 to work alongside health care professionals and public health officials to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by respiratory illness. The new campaign, ‘Breathless Not Helpless,‘ aims to raise global awareness about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which now afflicts over 50 million people worldwide, killing nearly 3 million sufferers every year.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European Medical Marketing Manager, said, “Medica is an ideal venue for raising awareness about Long Term Oxygen Therapy and LOT’s vital support network is a lifeline for many of the 4 million people living with lung disease throughout Germany. Major events including World COPD Day provide much-needed funds to ensure patients receive sufficient care and support to help them lead fuller, more independent lives.“

News:

Luxfer adds Visual Eddy Mark V to approved equipment list for inspecting Luxfer aluminum cylinders manufactured from 6351 alloy and 6061 alloy

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2005)—Luxfer Gas Cylinders has announced that the Visual Eddy Mark V™ eddy-current inspection device has been tested and found suitable for use with Luxfer aluminum cylinders manufactured both from 6351 alloy and 6061 alloy. This device is manufactured by Visual Eddy Products, Inc.

The Visual Eddy Mark V is the second device approved by Luxfer for use with both alloys. In October 2004, Luxfer approved use of the computer-aided Visual Plus 3™ eddy-current inspection equipment manufactured by Advanced Inspection Technology, Inc. (AIT). To ensure accurate results, both devices must be used in strict accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

Luxfer will continue to evaluate the performance of Visual Plus 3 and Visual Eddy Mark V under field conditions and issue technical advisories, as needed.

Prior to October 2004, Luxfer policy only permitted use of eddy-current equipment with Luxfer cylinders made from 6351 alloy, and Luxfer did not recommend use of such equipment with Luxfer cylinders made from Luxfer’s proprietary version of 6061 alloy. The reason for this restriction was that earlier types of eddy-current equipment produced an excessive number of “false positive” readings, causing good 6061-alloy cylinders to be erroneously condemned.

Luxfer continues to recommend the use of earlier types of eddy-current equipment—including Visual Plus™, Visual Plus 2™, and Visual Eddy™ —to aid in the inspection of Luxfer 6351-alloy cylinders. However, these earlier devices still should not be used with Luxfer 6061-alloy cylinders. Only Visual Plus 3 and Visual Eddy Mark V should be used with Luxfer 6061-alloy cylinders.

Luxfer emphasizes that eddy-current devices are tools that improve the quality and accuracy of inspections—but use of these devices does not eliminate the need for a thorough visual inspection by a properly trained and qualified inspector.

News:

Luxfer helps Nott’s Fire and Rescue Team rise to the challenge

NOTTINGHAM, England (Sept. 22, 2005)—Luxfer Europe have announced plans to sponsor Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue’s top extrication team in the World Challenge to be held in New Zealand later this year.

As the only fire service in the world to qualify for every single extrication event, the Nottinghamshire team went on to win last year’s limited equipment category involving casualty rescues within 20 minutes without the use of hydraulic cutting equipment.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European Marketing Manager, said, “As a local company, Luxfer has a long-standing working relationship with Nottinghamshire’s Fire and Rescue service and we are extremely proud to be associated with such a professional, dedicated and hard-working team.”

Developed by the World Rescue Operation, the Extrication Challenge enables fire and rescue services from around the world to come together to share specialist skills and techniques aimed at improving survival rates as well as reducing deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.