Scottish Water, providing drinking water to 2.46 million households and 150,000 business customers in Scotland, has awarded a framework for the supply and service of electric actuators to AUMA Actuators Limited (AUMA UK), a world leader in electric valve actuation technology.

The new framework will see AUMA deploy its new and unique process to service, maintain and replace a range of actuators across Scotland, which covers almost 80,000km2. Scottish Water will have access to AUMA’s unique ‘rapid response’ service to replace both AUMA and other manufacturers’ equipment, as well as a ‘replacement in advance’ for critical actuators.

Kevin Toal is Scottish Water’s Framework Manager. He said: “AUMA’s capacity to source and supply its comprehensive range of high quality, high performance electric actuators and critical spare parts from within the EU is a major benefit to us. It means we are able to respond quickly, serving people and businesses throughout Scotland.”

Scottish Water aims to maximise the availability of actuated valve operations throughout the country. The size and operating parameters of each installation varies, with a wide combination of actuators, controls and drive couplings required to be available at short notice. AUMA’s extensive range of high performance actuators is designed using a modular approach to actuator components. Actuators can be quickly combined to provide a bespoke actuator assembly constructed to the exact requirements of applications.

Paul Hopkins is AUMA UK’s Managing Director. He says: “We have built a close and positive relationship with Scottish Water, which has resulted in securing our first ever framework with Scotland’s water provider.

“Scottish Water plays a critical role that goes beyond providing an essential public service. It aims to help tackle the climate emergency, support the communities it serves and contribute to the growth of the Scottish economy. It is great to be part of that journey.”

AUMA is creating a unique online Scottish Water Knowledge Base, which will be accessible to all registered Scottish Water engineers and technicians. This will provide 24/7/365 access to essential information, video tutorials and technical information. In addition, AUMA has introduced a number of innovations - from reducing its environmental impact through the use of sustainable packaging, to improving health and safety by reducing time on site undertaking repairs.
 
AUMA is also providing full training to Scottish Water maintenance staff via its AUMA Certified Engineering (ACE) training. Delivered on-site, on-line or in AUMA’s dedicated training suite at its head office in Clevedon, Somerset, ACE is a structured programme that trains technicians to install, operate, maintain and troubleshoot AUMA actuators, meeting asset management obligations to maintain equipment in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Accredited ACE Technicians are provided with ID cards to prove their level of competency.