Air Kraft wins Atlas Copco Distributor of the Year award

As Air Kraft's managing director, Craig May-Russell observes: "Our primary approach to meeting the needs of customers is to provide energy-saving installations. In some cases, we've been able to help companies achieve annual reductions in compressed air power consumption of as much as 60,000."

Craig May-Russell points out that this approach applies equally to rough vacuum pump equipment, citing reports that by replacing its original installation with an Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ vacuum system, an industry leader in plastics thermoforming saved an estimated 70,000 per annum.

Paul Clark, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco's Industrial Air Division comments: "Air Kraft's extensive experience within the Midlands compressed air market, knowledge of the needs of local manufacturers, and dynamic approach to equipment sales is the main driver for their success. We're delighted to once again bestow this award onto Craig May-Russell and his team. Their commitment to help customers boost productivity and reduce energy consumption matches our own."

On the question of what factors made 2016 such a great year for business, Craig May-Russell feels that despite the effect of some exchange rate-led pre-Brexit price increases from suppliers, local industry was more active with new builds and factory extensions requiring pipework and new plant. What's more, cost-conscious buyers were looking at the whole picture − the total cost of ownership, starting with air audits and leak detection - before seeking the right technology to provide the optimum outcome.

Air Kraft's outlook for 2017 is very positive. Optimism is high for a performance similar to 2016. The company has enjoyed consistent growth, doubling its sales target in the last 2 years, and has recently expanded into adjacent premises for extra storage.

In the pursuit of business opportunities from some of the Midlands major players in the aerospace and transport sectors, the provision of energy-saving products continues to be the company's prime objective and the principal contribution to its continuing success.

Air Kraft has been providing compressed air and fluid power offerings since 1993. Operating as a Premier Distributor since 2012, the company offers the supply and installation of a full range of energy-saving stationary oil-lubricated and oil-free air compressors, nitrogen generators and vacuum pumps.

With major emphasis on Atlas Copco's GA 5kW-90kW rotary screw compressors, together with air quality equipment and pipework installations, Air Kraft provides essential customer services such as preventative maintenance, repairs and reconditioning, air audits, leak detection and air quality testing.

Atlas Copco's Distributor of the Year award is a significant achievement within its nationwide network because it is not based solely on local sales target criteria. It is assessed on key performance indicators for the distributor's whole business and the spread of growth versus that of the previous year. Learn more at www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressorsuk.