McDonald Serve Up Perfect Solution for Major Brewery
McDonald Engineers has demonstrated its expertise in developing bespoke solutions by designing and manufacturing a new system for one of Scotland’s largest brewers who were experiencing the problem of intermittent hot water.
Working in conjunction with one of the maintenance contractors onsite, one of McDonald Engineers’ technical sales team visited the site and identified the issue.
The hot water, being supplied to the toilets via 3 cylinders, was being heated by steam through a heating coil. However as the steam shuts down at various point throughout the day, the staff were regularly finding themselves without hot water.
McDonald Engineers recommended that the existing cylinders were replaced with bespoke POWERflow direct cylinders, featuring additional immersion heaters and custom connections.
McDonald Engineers, Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained “Our technical sales team is regularly called in by clients and contractors to assess problem systems and develop solutions that will meet the projects requirements.”
He continued, “It’s one of the reasons why we have established strong relationships with our clients, many of whom now see us more as their manufacturing partner as opposed to just a supplier.
Check out McDonald Engineers’ POWERflow range of unvented cylinders or call our technical sales team on 01592 611123.
Frankie and Bennys Turn to McDonald Engineers
Filed under: Commercial Unvented Cylinder, Unvented Cylinder, hot water cylinder
McDonald Engineers has manufactured and supplied a replacement 550ltr POWERflow for Frankie and Bennys’ Glasgow Quay restaurant.
The company’s reputation for quality and service paid off following problems with the previous hot water cylinder supplier, which saw no fewer than three leaking cylinders being rejected before the contractor turned to the POWERflow unvented cylinder.
McDonald Engineers manufactured and supplied the POWERflow 3 bar commercial unit within 4 days to minimise the disruption to the restaurant during the refurbishment.
Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained “We have worked tirelessly to ensure that McDonald Engineers offers the very best level of service and product quality and we are delighted to receive continual repeat business and recommendations because of this”
He continued, “We also offer some of the shortest lead times in the industry and it’s a level of service that our clients now enjoy as standard.”
To find out more call the McDonald Engineers technical sales team on 01592 611123
McDonald Engineers continue to blaze the training trails
Whilst home to some of the most experienced copper brazers in the country, McDonald Engineers recently undertook training from their brazing rod supplier. They provided an insight into the latest developments in brazing, as well as going over the advanced methods that the company employs on a daily basis.
This method of joining metals using heat and a filler has been practised by McDonald Engineers for many years, however in a bid to continually develop and keep the standards high, McDonalds proactively set aside the time to hone their skills.
Some of the knowledge shared, illustrated that there is always room for improvement with small tips being given along the way. Needless to say, with the newly acquired knowledge, the engineers quickly tweaked their methods to ensure that all clients gain from the benefits of best practice.
Elaborating on the benefits, Jamie Stewart, Sales Director at McDonald Engineers said, “These types of programmes are an essential part of our development strategy that provide enormous benefits to everyone. We improve on the quality of our products and processes. In turn our clients receive a much quicker and efficient production service”.
He continued, “If anyone thinks that they are above training, they have got to be kidding themselves!”
This course of continuous improvement adds to the ongoing commitment that McDonald Engineers have invested over the preceding years.
For more information on the range of products and services offered by McDonald Engineers visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or contact their technical sales team on 01592 611123.
McDonald Engineers Launch its ECOflow Heat Pump Cylinder
Filed under: Multifuel Hot Water System, heat pump cylinder, hot water cylinder
ECOflow Heat Pump Cylinders
McDonald Engineers has become the first UK manufacturer to launch an off the shelf hot water cylinder, specifically designed to work with heat pump technology.
The launch of its ECOflow unvented cylinder for heat pumps comes as a result of the growing demand it’s receiving from heat pump installers across the UK and beyond, who are looking for a tried and tested solution which is available as an off-the-shelf product, which comes with all the connections required for heat pump installations as standard.
Based on its market leading POWERflow 2000 unvented copper cylinder, ECOflow also comes pre-fitted with McDonald Engineers’ high performance heat pump copper coil and is insulated with a white cased finish delivering a GWP rating of <1. An optional integrated buffer vessel, which sits below the cylinder offers the advantage of a small footprint which suits many architects and specifiers who have limited space to work with.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained, “We have been making bespoke heat pumps cylinders for many years, however as the renewable energy market has grown, more clients have been asking for a standardised solution which offers the cost savings associated with larger production runs.”
He continued, “Copper hot water cylinders are widely recognised as the best and most cost effective solution to be used in conjunction with heat pumps. A leading heat pump manufacturer reckoned using an ECOflow type cylinder could save up to £180 per year on running costs. This is a hugely significant factor in ensuring the customer is given the best and cheapest to run unit.
The copper hot water cylinder market has already been given a major boost by Heat Pump manufacturers. Many recommending their products be used in conjunction with copper hot water cylinders due to the superior heat transfer properties offered by the material, as well as its bacteria killing properties and its recyclability.
The company has already received a positive response from existing clients and hopes to develop its position in the growing renewable energy market even further.
McDonald Engineers has been manufacturing hot water cylinders and supplying the UK and further afield from its base in Scotland since 1945. They have been at the forefront of hot water cylinder development for renewable energy applications for the last 4 decades.
For more information on McDonald Engineers and its full range of hot water cylinders visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com
McDonald Announce Partnership with Strathclyde University
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, McDonald Engineers News, hot water cylinder
In partnership with Strathclyde University
McDonald Engineers, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of copper hot water cylinders, has embarked upon a two year KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) with Strathclyde University as the company looks to enhance its position in the energy market.
The partnership will enable McDonald Engineers to call upon the extensive knowledge and practical industry experience of the University’s team and in return will offer its insight into the commercial pressures that are prevalent in the construction and energy markets.
The company has joined forces with the university’s Advanced Forming Research Centre to initially examine ways in which McDonald Engineers can streamline its production facility. And whilst one aim of the project is to improve quality and lead times in the company’s production facility, a key outcome will be the launch of an exciting new product which will open up new doors for McDonald Engineers.
Managing Director of McDonald Engineers, Bill Stewart, explained, “We have a long and proud history as one of the leading manufacturers of superior quality hot water cylinders. Our partnership with Strathclyde University enables us to tap into an incredible resource that allows us access to techniques and strategies from some of the top companies in the world.”
Bill continued, “This is a tremendously exciting period for the company as we look to build on over 65 years of success as a family owned and managed business. I have no doubt this partnership will ensure our success continues for many generations to come.”
The partnership will be led by Graham Smyth, who has been appointed as KTP Associate to project manage the venture and will be based at McDonald Engineers’ Glenrothes headquarters. Graham has joined McDonald Engineers after spending 2 successful years as a Design Engineer in the Irish quarry industry.
Graham said, “One of McDonald Engineers’ key strengths is the passion every member of the team has for delivering a quality product and a world class service. Their willingness to embrace new ideas and tackle challenges head on is exactly what is needed when you take on a project like this and I am delighted to be involved.”
For more information on the range of products and services offered by McDonald Engineers visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or contact their technical sales team on 01592 611123.
PLATEflow system scores top marks by controlling peak flow rates in school sports centre
PLATEflow Hot Water Cylinder
Pupils were not the only ones to gain top marks in school recently as McDonald Engineers helped a client who was faced with the challenge of providing a buffer for a short period of peak demand linked with a Plate Heat Exchanger to provide a steady flow rate.
McDonald Engineers worked with the client, providing their expert advice and guidance to assess all the alternatives before developing the perfect solution using their PLATEflow system.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained “At McDonald Engineers we like to put all the available options down on the table and come up with the best possible solution for our clients. It’s our ability to listen to our clients requirements, remain flexible and provide the best solution based on the situation at hand that keeps them returning time and time again.”
The result was to supply a PLATEflow unit with a 550 Litre Vented Grade 2 cylinder and Plate Heat Exchanger. Thanks to the off-site pre-assembly the contractor was able to dramatically reduce installation time.
The McDonalds PLATEflow system is specifically designed to supply hot water in situations where demand can vary over the course of a day and is ideal for use within hotels, hospitals, factories and in this case, a School Sports Centre in Edinburgh. It effectively decreases the amount of stored hot water required, while still delivering peak flow rates as demanded.
And with the PLATEflow system there are plenty of options available to offer. The PLATEflow can be supplied as either a vented, tank fed unit, or is suitable for unvented applications, when fed from the mains or a boosted cold water supply.
To find out more on the McDonald Engineers PLATEflow system visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call their technical sales team on 01592 611123.
McDonald Engineers Launch Next Day Cylinder Spares Service
McDonald Engineers has launched a superb new service aimed at providing clients with genuine spare parts for its hot water cylinders, with the option of next day delivery for orders placed before 2pm.
With an extensive range of high quality spare parts, from motorised zone valves to expansion vessels up to 200 litres, McDonald Engineers are looking to provide its clients with an enhanced level of service, by accessing their consistently high stock levels.
And with many of the spare parts suitable for a wide range of other cylinders, the service has already paid dividends for many clients - even when it’s not a McDonald Engineers cylinder.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained, “We have operated a successful spares service for a number of years, for clients who only want to fit our superior quality spare parts. Our increased production levels have seen us carry a higher level of stock, which not only means that we are very competitively priced, but we can virtually guarantee we have the part in stock for immediate despatch.”
He continued, “The service has continue to grow purely through word of mouth and we hope that by offering the facility to pay using a credit card and enjoy a next day delivery service, we can expand our client base even wider.”
To find out more and to download a datasheet and pricelist click here or call the Technical Sales team on 01592 611123.
McDonald Engineers’ Custom Cylinders Save Money on Large Thermal Store Contract
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, Thermal Store, hot water cylinder
THERMflow Thermal Stores from McDonald Engineers
Dispelling the myth that bespoke cylinders are just for one-off projects, McDonald Engineers has enabled one Scottish Local Authority to save a significant amount of time and installation costs on a project which required over 400 thermal stores.
By working closely with the project team, McDonald Engineers were able to re- position several key connections on its standard THERMflow Thermal Store, to suit the incoming pipework and make it easier for the installation team to access.
In doing so, the installation team were able to install the cylinders much quicker and with less materials, saving time, money and hassle on site.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained, “Our flexible manufacturing process is renowned for being able to produce one off cylinders quickly and efficiently. However there is a growing client base, who now realise the enormous benefits that can be achieved just by tweaking the design of existing products for large volume contracts.”
He continued, “By making simple changes, such as repositioning the connections, clients can achieve significant time and material savings. When you add up all the savings, whether it is on a contract of 20 homes or 20,000 cylinder installations, it’s easy to see how much can be saved.”
To see how much you could save, contact our technical sales team on 01592 611123.
Unvented Cylinders Experience Dramatic Growth In Demand From Refurb Market
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, Unvented Cylinder, hot water cylinder
Unvented cylinder systems are now experiencing an unprecedented growth in the replacement market, as many installers recognising that a combi system isn’t always the best choice.
Since figures published by the Hot Water Association in 2008, showed that mains pressure hot water systems, reached close to half of the total hot water storage market, for the very first time, the growth has continued as changing demands favour the benefits offered by unvented systems.
Whilst combi systems can provide an instantaneous hot water solution, very few can exceed 20 litres per minute, or cope with demand from multiple outlets.
McDonald Engineers Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained ” Modern households are expecting their hot water systems to be capable of delivering more hot water, at higher flow rates, simultaneously to multiple outlets and with limited loss of performance.”
He continued, “As a result we have seen enquiries for our POWERflow 2000 unvented cylinder rise considerably from installers, house builders and local authorities who are beginning to question the attractiveness of the combi system. We have also seen a dramatic increase in sales of our THERMflow Thermal Storage Unit. This gives the benefits of Mains Pressure Hot Water at the tap, but with a Vented Store. This type of unit is ideal for all boilers and can also be used when people have an additional Solid Fuel heat source.”
To find out more about the POWERflow 2000 Unvented Mains Pressure and THERMflow Thermal Storage range, visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com, or contact our technical sales team on 01592 611123
Making Solar Water Heating Solutions Easy With SOLARsave
Filed under: Renewable Energy Cylinders, Unvented Cylinder, hot water cylinder, solar cylinders
McDonald Engineers has made solar hot water systems easy with its SOLARsave pre-plumbed unit which features a high performance dual coil copper cylinder with all the major components pre-fitted and pre-wired for a quick and easy installation.
Available in vented and WRAS approved unvented cylinders, the SOLARsave unit comes supplied with a Solar Differential Controller pre-plumbed to the solar coil. Simply connect the flow & return and solar sensor from the differential controller, along with a solar expansion vessel and relief valve and your solar system is ready to use.
McDonald Engineers’s Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, said “Whilst we have an extensive portfolio of expert solar installers who recognise the benefits from high quality copper cylinders in solar thermal solutions, we were receiving a growing number of enquiries from plumbing contractors who wanted a complete ‘plumb and go’ solution.”
He continued, ” SOLARsave not only makes the specification of the hot water system simple, the pre-fitted and prewired components dramatically reduce the installation time of the system, making it easy and accessible to a far greater number of installation contractors.”
McDonald Engineers also offers its full range of thermal stores, unvented cylinders and calorifiers now available with solar compatibility.
For more information visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call 01592 611123.
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