As UK water companies prepare for the challenges of AMP8, the emphasis on delivering resilient, efficient and cost-effective infrastructure continues to intensify. While major civil and process elements often dominate project discussions, there is increasing recognition that smaller but critical components - such as electric actuators - play a pivotal role in determining whole-life asset performance.
A shift is now underway across the sector. Designers, consultants and contractors are moving away from traditional, specification-led procurement models and towards earlier, more collaborative engagement with specialist suppliers. This evolution is creating opportunities for AUMA Actuators Limited to influence design at a stage where it can have the greatest impact, helping to deliver tailored solutions that provide measurable value over the lifetime of an asset.
Paul Hopkins, Managing Director of AUMA Actuators Limited, believes this collaborative model is key to delivering better outcomes. “Engaging early in the design process allows us to work closely with project teams to ensure actuator solutions are fully aligned with operational requirements,” he says. “This not only improves performance but also delivers tangible whole-life cost benefits for our customers.”
Historically, actuator selection has often been addressed relatively late in the project lifecycle, with a focus on meeting predefined specifications. While this approach ensures compliance, it can limit opportunities to optimise system performance, integration and long-term cost efficiency. Early engagement allows AUMA’s team of specialist electric actuator engineers to contribute at concept and Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) stage, when key design decisions are still fluid.
This early involvement enables a more considered approach to actuator selection, ensuring that each solution is engineered to suit the specific application rather than adapted to fit an existing design. Factors such as torque requirements, control philosophy, environmental conditions and system integration can all be addressed holistically. The result is a more efficient and effective outcome, with reduced risk of overspecification or costly late-stage changes.
AUMA’s modular actuator design is particularly well suited to this collaborative model. Combining standardised components into bespoke configurations, AUMA can deliver solutions that are precisely aligned with operational requirements. When this flexibility is leveraged during the design phase, it allows project teams to achieve a higher degree of optimisation, both in terms of performance and maintainability.
This approach also supports greater standardisation across asset portfolios, an increasingly important consideration for water companies seeking to streamline maintenance and improve operational consistency. At the same time, it ensures that individual applications are not compromised by a one-size-fits-all specification.
The benefits of early engagement extend beyond technical performance to encompass whole-life cost. Increasing scrutiny on capital expenditure and operational efficiency means that water companies are under pressure to demonstrate value across the entire asset lifecycle. Decisions made during the design stage can have a significant influence on both CAPEX and OPEX, particularly when it comes to equipment selection and system integration.
Project teams can avoid common pitfalls such as oversizing actuators, specifying inappropriate control interfaces or overlooking maintenance considerations by engaging with AUMA at an early stage. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of integration issues during commissioning and helps to minimise ongoing maintenance requirements.
The importance of this approach is further underlined by the evolving regulatory landscape. AMP8 places increased emphasis on efficiency, resilience and environmental performance, with utilities expected to deliver more from existing and new assets. Electric actuators play a critical role in enabling precise control of water and wastewater processes, supporting objectives such as leakage reduction, energy optimisation and network resilience.
Early collaboration ensures that actuator systems are designed with these priorities in mind. It also enables the integration of digital capabilities, including remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, which are increasingly important as the sector embraces smarter asset management strategies.
AUMA’s growing presence within the UK water industry reflects its ability to support this shift towards more collaborative delivery models. The company now holds framework agreements with all major UK water companies for the supply, service and maintenance of electric actuators, underlining its position as a trusted long-term partner.
These frameworks are not simply about product supply; they represent a broader commitment to supporting customers throughout the asset lifecycle. By combining engineering expertise with service capability, AUMA is able to provide continuity from design through to operation and maintenance.
Colin Borrows, Head of UK Sales at AUMA Actuators Limited, sees this as a natural progression for the industry. “Our framework agreements across the UK water sector demonstrate the value of long-term collaboration,” he explains. “By working closely with our customers from the earliest stages of a project, we can help deliver solutions that are both technically optimised and commercially efficient.”
Time and risk management are also critical considerations in capital delivery, particularly within a regulated environment. Delays or changes during construction can have significant cost and programme implications. Early engagement with actuator specialists helps to mitigate these risks by ensuring compatibility between components, reducing the need for design revisions and supporting a smoother path through installation and commissioning.
Paul Hopkins concludes: “Involving AUMA at the design stage creates opportunities for knowledge transfer that can benefit operational teams in the long term. By developing a clear understanding of actuator systems from the outset, operators are better equipped to manage assets effectively, improving reliability and reducing the likelihood of unplanned downtime.
“As the UK water sector continues to evolve, the importance of collaboration across the supply chain is becoming increasingly clear. Early engagement with specialist suppliers is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a strategic necessity for delivering high-performing infrastructure.”
