The company have been awarded Technical Innovation of the Year for their Lowest Life-Cycle Cost Series of vertical suspended bowl pumps. These pumps offer a major benefit over more traditional centrifugal pumps as they can be mounted directly over a sump, without the necessity of complex priming systems, with considerable cost savings of space and expenditure.

Usage of such pumps however has been limited, owing to the perceived difficulties associated with maintaining these pumps, when compared to other more standard centrifugal pumps.

SPP Pumps decided to address this key issue and provide the market with a reliable, easily maintainable Vertical Suspended Bowl Pump which has proved more successful than they could have imagined.

“We are thrilled to have won the innovation of the year award. Innovation is not something that comes easy; it requires the right environment and talent to convert embryonic ideas into something with real practical value” says Graham Terry, Communication Director of SPP Pumps. “We are particularly pleased that the innovation for which we gained the award addresses a traditional business application where innovation is less frequent and which in this case adds features that make our vertical turbine products more efficient, more durable and easier to maintain and as a consequence delivers to customers Lowest Life-Cycle cost. This award really belongs to our whole ‘Water’ team whose enthusiasm and skills converted an idea into reality”.

The second award for SPP went to John Hollins for Young Pump Engineer of the Year. In December 2005, John became a team leader responsible for five engineers and draughtsmen. During 2006 his primary project was the development of the Lowest Life-Cycle Cost range of high efficiency water pumps. John has also been involved in a ‘Young Enterprise’ project at a local school and mentors ‘Year In Industry’ students.

SPP are keen to raise the profile of engineering as a career choice and work closely with local schools, colleges and universities. Recruiting apprentices, graduate trainees and securing talented engineering resource via scholarships, enables them to regularly add to their base of skilled and dedicated staff.

John’s award is a testament to SPP’s staff development programme and the hard work and commitment of the individuals involved.

“Although unexpected, it was a great honour to be presented with the award of Young Pump Engineer of the Year. The award is a great way for me to recognise the support and training which SPP have invested in me over the last few years” said John Hollins, Engineer.

SPP Pumps were also a finalist for the Manufacturer of the Year award. By focusing on the requirements of their market, SPP have become a recognised world leader in the design and production of centrifugal pumps and fluid handling systems for a variety of applications across a wide range of industries.

Concentrating on its strongest products for the oil and gas, water and fire fighting industries SPP have maintained the company’s reputation for quality products, which has been established over the past 100 years.

SPP were also major sponsors at the Pump Industry Awards sponsoring the Environmental/Energy Saving Award. This went to WILO for Energy-Saving Pump Installations at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.