Author: rusty

News:

Luxfer cylinders reach top of the world

May 23, 2003 - Luxfer Medical’s lightweight oxygen cylinders played a major role in helping the RN & RM Expedition reach the summit of Mount Everest despite overwhelming setbacks including injuries and abnormally high winds during the 8,800 North Ridge Climb.

The team reached their final destination on May 22nd with the aid of a revolutionary oxygen delivery system which included cannulas in place of traditional face masks and 80 lightweight oxygen cylinders (carbon full wraps)

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European Marketing Manager added: “We’re delighted that Luxfer Medical’s oxygen cylinders proved such an invaluable piece of equipment during the Everest Expedition but not completely surprised. Not only are they 55% lighter than traditional steel equivalents but better still, climbers had the added advantage of extended oxygen delivery even at 8,800 metres!”

For further information about Luxfer Medical cylinders please contact 0115 9803839 or email vicky.butler@eu.luxfercylinders.com

British Lung Foundations Annual Lung Run

News:

Luxfer joins the lung run

May 19, 2003 - Employees from Luxfer Gas Cylinders’ Nottingham site were amongst the 2500 runners in the British Lung Foundation’s Annual Lung Run recently held in Sutton Park Birmingham.

Now in its 10th anniversary year, the Lung Run attracted runners and spectators from across the Midlands including families, friends and members of the Breathe Easy Club, the Foundation’s patient support network.

Luxfer Medical’s European Marketing Manager Vicky Butler added: “As one of the event’s main sponsors, we are extremely proud to be associated with such a deserving and hard-working charity. The British Lung Foundation is a lifeline for many of the 8 million people living with lung-disease throughout the UK and major events like the Lung Run provide much-needed funds for on-going research.“

News:

Luxfer go to top of the class

April 28, 2003

Nottingham-based Luxfer Gas Cylinders recently received a ‘Class A‘ award in two categories following an ABCD Checklist for Operational Excellence in People and Teams and Planning and Control.

Accepting the awards on behalf of Luxfer’s 215 strong employees, Luxfer’s MD Lindsay Stratton added: "The audit is a highly efficient approach to benchmarking Luxfer’s performance and capabilities against the industry’s best. In today’s ever-changing marketplace, the checklist was highly-effective in helping managers to focus on achieving world-class performance levels against strong competition."

News:

Luxfers sales team become firefighters for the afternoon

April 2003

During a recent Sales and Marketing Conference, Luxfer’s sales managers became firefighters for half a day thanks to the training centre at Staffordshire Fire Brigade.

The sales managers were put through their paces at a three hour training session where they donned the full fire fighters uniform together with the full Breathing Apparatus kit in order to gain an appreciation of the advantages the light-weight composite cylinders provide for that market.

They were then led to the training firehouse in pairs where they had to negotiate their way through a variety of obstacles, in varying degrees of darkness, relying only on a guide rope and team work to get them through.

Staffordshire Fire Service offer a whole range of conference and training facilities. For details visit their website at: www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA)

News:

Fire survey shows black hole in official statistics

April 2003

A recent survey conducted by the Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA) of which Luxfer is a member and the Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association (IFEDA) estimates that fire extinguishers save the UK economy more than £500m annually.

Fire losses are currently estimated at £7bn a year but these official statistics only take into account those fires reported to the fire service. The role of the fire extinguisher is inaccurately represented. This survey sought to highlight this anomaly and to identify the types of situation in which extinguishers continue to provide a vital means of first aid fire-fighting.

The survey is part of a wider European survey by Eurofeu, the European committee on the Manufacture of Fire Protection Equipment and Fire Fighting vehicles in which similar research has been undertaken in Austria, Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands.

For further information or a copy of the report please contact: Terry Martiny, FETA, Neville House, 55 Eden Street, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1BW | Tel: 020 8549 8839 Fax:020 8547 1564 | Website: www.feta.org.uk

News:

Exhibition round-up Medica 2002

February 18, 2003

Luxfer Medical recently showcased the revolutionary 7000 series of aluminium, hoop-wrap and composite cylinders at Medica 2002 resulting in unprecedented interest amongst visitors keen to benefit from the physical and operational benefits associated with lightweight cylinders.

Exhibiting at Medica for the 4th consecutive year, Luxfer’s Medical’s Sales and Marketing team were strategically placed to launch the 7000 series in response to increasing European demand for ergonomically designed cylinders combining dramatic weight savings with extended gas delivery.

Held over 4 days in Dusseldorf, MEDICA is the world’s largest medical fair attracting over 132,000 trade visitors from 65 countries.

Ground-breaking innovations across all sectors were launched throughout Medica’s 17 exhibition halls highlighting the latest products, services and procedures within inpatient and outpatient care including Biomedicine, IT, Medical Equipment and Healthcare Services.

For more information please contact customerservices@eu.luxfercylinders.com

News:

Luxfer sponsors the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Everest North Ridge Expedition 2003

February 5, 2003: In April 2003 the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are mounting a 2-month expedition to climb the North East Ridge of Mount Everest. Comprising ten climbers and three support managers it will be the RN and RM’s first attempt on the World’s highest mountain, marking the 50th anniversary of its first ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing. The expedition patron is Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB, Commander-in-Chief Fleet.

The NE ridge of Everest constitutes a steep and technically demanding route, the final ‘sting in the tail’ being an exposed and committing ridge traverse at over 28,000ft, facing all the rigours of wind, altitude and low temperatures inherent to a Himalayan peak of over 8800m. During the ascent the climbers will use revolutionary oxygen breathing apparatus and will attempt the world’s first live video broadcast from Everest’s 8848m summit.

An exciting addition to the main expedition is the inclusion of 3 support treks from Kathmandu (Nepal) to the Tibetan Everest Base Camp (5,200m), passing through some of the most fantastic scenic and culturally rich environments the Himalayas have to offer. Involving 54 servicemen and women selected from all ranks, units and trades across the RN and RM, each trek will comprise a 16 day, less specialised venture, conducted with Nepalese Sherpa and yak support throughout, the aim being to widen the expedition to involve the whole Service. The teams will provide logistic resupply to Base Camp and conduct environmental projects to remove rubbish and waste left on the mountain by previous expeditions, helping to address an issue of significant international concern.

The expedition has been made possible with the support of private sector organisations including Luxfer Gas Cylinders who provided financial and practical help by donating funds together with 80 lightweight oxygen cylinders.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s European Marketing Manager added:“The RN/RM’s 50th anniversary climb is something we’re very proud to be a part of.

Luxfer Medical’s new-generation oxygen cylinders will be an invaluable piece of equipment on the Everest expedition. Not only are they 55% lighter than traditional steel equivalents but better still, climbers will have the added advantage of extended gas delivery even at 7700 metres!“.For further information about Luxfer Gas Cylinders please contact Vicky Butler on 0115 980 3899 or at vicky.butler@eu.luxfercylinders.com.

News:

Luxfer announces revised inspection and replacement policy for scuba cylinders manufactured in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia (Feb 3, 2003)—Luxfer Gas Cylinders would like to announce an updated inspection and replacement policy for scuba cylinders manufactured at its facility in Australia. The primary purpose for the revision to the policy is to align the eddy current retest period with the annual inspection and test periods that operate in Australia and New Zealand. The text of the policy is as follows:

Luxfer Scuba Cylinder Inspection and Replacement Policy

Section I: Inspection and Testing of Luxfer Scuba Cylinders Manufactured from 6351 Aluminium Alloy

Luxfer scuba cylinders were manufactured from 6351 aluminium alloy during the following periods:

Australia: 1975 through 1990
United States: 1972 through mid-1988
England: 1967 through 1995

Luxfer requires that every Luxfer 6351-alloy all-aluminium scuba cylinder be visually inspected at least every 2 years by a properly trained inspector. As part of this inspection, Luxfer further requires that the cylinder neck be tested with an eddy-current device such as Visual Plus, Visual Eddy or equivalent non-destructive testing equipment. When properly used, eddy-current devices contribute significantly to early detection of difficult-to-observe sustained-load cracks in the necks of 6351-alloy cylinders. If the cylinder passes the inspection, the inspector will document that fact. If the cylinder fails the inspection, it must be removed from service immediately. Do not use Luxfer 6351-alloy scuba cylinders that have not been both visually inspected and eddy-current tested and then properly documented.

This Luxfer-required visual and eddy-current inspection is in addition to periodic requalifications (including retesting and inspections) required or recommended by various regulatory agencies around the world. The intervals between retests and inspections vary from country to country.

In addition to the required inspection and testing described above and in keeping with Australian and New Zealand scuba industry standards, Luxfer recommends that all Luxfer 6351-alloy scuba cylinders be visually inspected at least once each year by a properly trained inspector.

For cylinders in heavy use (for example, those filled five or more times a week), Luxfer recommends visual inspection every four months. For more information, refer to Luxfer’s Scuba Cylinder Inspection Guide, which is available by calling Luxfer at 61-2-9830-0999 or by visiting the Luxfer web site at www.luxfercylinders.com.

Section II: Inspection and Testing of Luxfer Scuba Cylinders Manufactured from 6061 Aluminium Alloy

Luxfer began manufacturing scuba cylinders from a proprietary 6061 aluminium alloy in 1990 in Australia, in mid-1988 in the United States and in 1995 in England. The majority of Luxfer scuba cylinders currently in service are made from this proprietary 6061 alloy, which Luxfer is still using.

Cylinders made from Luxfer’s proprietary 6061 alloy are not susceptible to sustained-load cracks. Therefore, Luxfer does not deem it necessary to test these cylinders with eddy-current devices such as Visual Plus and Visual Eddy. In fact, field experience has shown that using such eddy-current devices with Luxfer 6061-alloy cylinders can result in misleading “false-positive” readings.

In keeping with Australian and New Zealand scuba industry standards, Luxfer recommends annual visual inspection of Luxfer 6061-alloy cylinders by a properly trained inspector. For cylinders in heavy use (for example, those filled five or more times a week), Luxfer recommends visual inspection every four months. These recommended inspections are in addition to periodic requalifications (including retesting and inspections) required or recommended by various regulatory agencies around the world. The intervals between retests and inspections vary from country to country.

For more information, refer to Luxfer’s Scuba Cylinder Inspection Guide, which is available by calling Luxfer at 61-2-9830-0999 or visiting the Luxfer web site at www.luxfercylinders.com.

Section III: Luxfer Scuba Cylinder Replacement Policy

This replacement policy applies only to the original owner of a Luxfer scuba cylinder. If a properly inspected Luxfer scuba cylinder is found to have either sustained-load cracking (in the case of 6351-alloy cylinders) or a manufacturing defect (i.e., any imperfection that fails to meet product specifications at the time of manufacture), Luxfer will honor the following replacement policy:

If the cylinder is 10 years old or less (based on the original hydrotest date), Luxfer will replace the cylinder at no charge with a new 6061-alloy cylinder. However, Luxfer will not replace cylinders that have been damaged, abused or mistreated.
If the cylinder is more than 10 years old, the original owner may purchase an equivalent replacement 65, 75, 85 or 95 cu. ft. cylinder, 3500 psi fill pressure, for A$137.50 or NZ$186 for cylinders manufactured in Australia.
For DOT 80 cu. ft. cylinders, 3000 psi fill pressure, manufactured in Australia or the United States, the replacement prices are A$110 and NZ$152. For 20 cu ft cylinders, 3100 psi fill pressure, manufactured in Australia, the replacement prices are A$110 and NZ$152. Australian and New Zealand prices include GST.
Luxfer cylinder owners in Australia should contact Luxfer Gas Cylinders at 61-2-98300999 to obtain replacement cylinders. Luxfer cylinder owners in New Zealand should contact Luxfer’s New Zealand agent, Tank Test Laboratories, at 64-9-2623628 to obtain replacement cylinders.
For the Scuba Replacement Policy, it is the owner’s responsibility to pay the freight to Luxfer Gas Cylinders or TTL. The return freight will be at Luxfer’s or TTL’s cost, provided that the cylinder qualifies for replacement or trade-in. Please ensure that all cylinders are returned without valve or accessories. Luxfer Gas Cylinders and TTL will not be held responsible for any accessories that remain on the cylinder at the time of claim. Return freight will be at the owner’s cost for any invalid claim. Any invalid claim will also incur an inspection fee by TTL as nominated by TTL. All claims lodged for trade-in are to be paid for within 3 months of lodgment. If payment is not received within this time, the cylinders will be condemned and the claim will be null and void.

For more information about this policy, contact Luxfer Gas Cylinders, 350 Vardys Road, Kings Park, NSW 2148 Australia; telephone 61-2-9830-0999; fax 61-2-9622-9227; on the web at www.luxfercylinders.com.

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders, Asia Pacific, announces availability of electronic manufacturer’s certificate

KINGS PARK, Australia (Feb. 1, 2003)—Luxfer Gas Cylinders, Asia Pacific, has announced that its manufacturer’s certificate is now available in a convenient electronic form that can be sent to customers via e-mail.

The certificate will be sent in the Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf file) so that alterations will not be possible. The appearance of the signed certificate, both on the screen and on printed hard copies will be the same as a mailed hard copy.

To receive the electronic certificate, customers will need an e-mail address and Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on a computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free from the Internet at www.adobe.com.

News:

Luxfer introduces the Luxfer Limited line, world’s first composite scuba cylinder with the world’s highest-pressure rating

October 22, 2002—After more than five years of development and testing, Luxfer Gas Cylinders has launched the first two models in the “Luxfer Limited” line, the world’s highest-pressure scuba diving cylinders—also the first composite cylinders in the scuba industry.

The new S85W (85-cubic-foot capacity) and S106 (106-cubic-foot capacity) were introduced at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) international trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, in late October.

The pressure rating for Luxfer Limited cylinders is 4,350 psi (300 bar), which offers significantly greater air capacity and diving time for scuba enthusiasts. By comparison, a standard Luxfer 80-cubic-foot scuba cylinder is rated at 3,000 psi (207 bar).

Compatible with existing diving equipment, “Luxfer Limited” cylinders are suitable for use with nitrox and oxygen-enriched diving mixtures. The new high-technology cylinders feature Luxfer’s proprietary 6061 aluminum alloy and proven fiberglass hoop-wrap technology.

Luxfer advertising is focusing on the extended diving time offered by the new cylinders. A promotional illustration shows two scuba diving partners swimming among schools of fish under the headline, “Spend more time with your friends.”

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders wins award in Australia for efforts to reduce greenhouse gases

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Oct. 18, 2002)—The government of New South Wales (NSW) has awarded Luxfer Gas Cylinders the Green Globe Award for the company’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

The award was announced by Kim Yeadon, Minister for Energy. “These awards are part of a statewide initiative that is good for business and great for the environment,” Yeadon said. “By implementing a large number of energy efficiency projects across their properties, Luxfer Gas Cylinders have saved $37,645 per annum on bills while reducing 711 tonnes of CO2 each year. This is the same as eliminating 158 car emissions each year.”

Members of the Energy Smart Business (ESB) program reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using energy more efficiently. The benefits are also delivered through considerable savings on energy bills each year. The awards program recognizes the breadth of sustainable energy solutions implemented by companies in New South Wales.

“Along with 15 other outstanding companies, Luxfer Gas Cylinders have shown good management by putting in place measures which save money from energy efficiencies,” Yeadon said.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders joins other Energy Smart Green Globe award winners such as Amcor, Qantas, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Arnott’s Ltd, all of which have implemented similar practical environmental solutions.

“The Energy Smart Business Program, developed and managed by NSW Government’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), has been a great success,” Yeadon said. “Across NSW, we are now saving 170 businesses over $19 million a year on energy bills and cutting greenhouse emissions by over 320,000 tonnes per annum. The total reduction is like taking 70,000 cars off NSW’s roads for good. I urge other companies to work with SEDA to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.”

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders US facilities receive ISO certification

October 15, 2002—Luxfer Gas Cylinders facilities in the United States were awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification for “Design and Manufacture of Compressed Gas Cylinders” in October 2002 following an extensive audit in September.

Included in the new certification are Luxfer’s corporate office and manufacturing facilities in Riverside, California, including plants that manufacture both aluminum and composite cylinders; the aluminum cylinder plant in Graham, North Carolina; and Hydrospin, which manufactures aluminum liners and steel cylinders at its plant in Huntington Beach, California.

Phillip Laure, who headed the Luxfer ISO certification team, said that the achievement was particularly noteworthy since all plants were audited and certified at the same time (rather than incrementally) as part of a single nationwide program.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders plants in the United Kingdom and Australia are also ISO-certified.