Membrane pumps from Swedish Tapflo AB
The biggest manufacture of membrane pumps in Europe within three years
Tapflo AB was founded in Sweden in 1985, in the town of Kungälv ten miles to the north of
Göteborg. Owing to earlier experience in the manufacture of industrial pumps for the
transport of liquids, the founders of the company soon realized the advantages of compressed
air powered membrane pumps.
“We are now making large investments in rapid expansion in our new eastern European EU
neighbours,” says Börje Johansson, managing director and principal shareholder in Tapflo
AB. “Although we shall be aiming at increasing our market shares throughout the EU. Our
target is to become the largest and the leading manufacturer of membrane pumps in Europe
within three years.”
To meet the increase in demand caused by among other circumstances, the company’s
expansion in Eastern Europe, the company will increase its rate of manufacture over the
coming years. A new factory is scheduled for start-up during 2005.
“Outside Europe most of our expansion is taking place in South Africa, a country that offers
us considerable sales potential,” says Börje Johansson. “The next step will be to expand our
contact network in the Middle East, Asia and the former Soviet states, adding new
distributors to those we already have.”
Tapflo has own companies established in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, the Baltic States,
Denmark, Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom and South Africa.
Membrane pump usage areas and advantages
Much of the strength of the membrane pump is based in its being constructed of a
minimum number of components, making these units reliable and easy to maintain.
Servicing is a very simple and the pump can be dismantled quickly for the purpose,
providing low running costs and minimal risk of breakdown during the process. The
pump can be run dry without incurring damage.
Tapflo membrane pumps are used for the transport of all kinds of liquid, from volatile
alcohols to viscous liquids such as glue. The hermetic sealing of the pump allows
health hazardous liquids to be handled safely.
The pumps are compact, easily placed and easy to fit, requiring no electrical
connections. Membrane pumps are operated by compressed air, an advantage in
environments where explosive gases are present (see pumps for explosive gases
below), since compressed air needs neither lubricant nor health hazardous oils.
Customer contact creates new products and is crucial to good business
Pneumix is a new barrel mixer system, primarily suited to the paints and printing industries,
and based on Tapflo’s tried and tested compressed air driven membrane pumps.
“We listen carefully to the present and future needs of our customers when we
develop new products,” says Börje Johansson. “Many of our special applications
are made directly to their express requirements. Tapflo Pneumix is typical.”
Working together with a newly developed mixer unit, the Pneumix both mixes and
pumps the contents of the barrel in a completely closed system. Separate agitators
are now superfluous and the customer no longer needs to roll the barrel around on
the floor before the contents are pumped up, as was previously often the case.
Pumps for explosive environments
The company has recently introduced an entirely new pump onto several markets
for environments where explosive gas mixtures are handled.
Tapflo TX is the designation of the company’s ATEX approved membrane pump
that meets the new EU directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 100a).
The EU directive stipulates that all equipment covered by the new EU directive
must be updated with ATEX approved equipment latest 1st of July 2006. Work places started
up on the 30th of June or later must be equipped with ATEX approved equipment from the
start.
High quality is an important competitive tool
“To guarantee our customers pumps of the best possible quality the operation is quality
certified as per ISO 9001:2000,” says Börje Johansson. “Our pumps are CE marked and
meet current EC machinery directives.
“We now meet most standards and norms that exist on the various markets and our effort in
up-grading in order to meet all standards is ongoing,” continues Börje Johansson. “Followup takes place via our local subsidiaries around the world.”
Pump constructions are extremely robust and impact resistant and these units withstand rough
treatment very well. The pumps have been developed for a number of special applications and
are manufactured in various materials such as polyethylene (PE), PTFE, aluminium, cast-iron
and stainless steel (SS 2343). Membranes too, are manufactured in different materials in order
to stand up to wear imposed by very aggressive liquids.
Membrane pumps are now used in all kinds of industry that need to transport different kinds
of liquid such as paint, dye, solvents, alcohols or chemicals from barrels or containers. At
present the Tapflo product program includes some 20 models for all needs. The pumps
provide capacities ranging up to 425 litres per minute and up to a maximum head of 80
metres.
To be able to provide optimum service and fast deliveries irrespective of customer location,
all Tapflo companies and distributors stock both pumps and spare parts.
Facts about Tapflo AB
TAPFLO AB develops and manufacture compressed air operated pumps for industrial
applications. Tapflo AB was founded by Börje Johansson in 1985 in Kungälv, Sweden,
north of Göteborg. From their previous experience of the manufacture of industrial pumps
for the transportation of liquids, the founders of the company were quick to understand the
advantages offered by compressed air-driven membrane pumps. Since starting up the
company has delivered pumps to industry and carried out installations on all continents.
TAPFLO is represented in more than 35 countries. The operation is quality certified as per
ISO 9001:2000.
The company is now owned by Börje Johansson and Hans Emanuelsson, with Börje
Johansson as principal owner holding 75% of the shares. Tapflo comprises eleven
independent companies in Europe and South Africa.
For more information please visit www.tapflo.com