WJA Member Spotlight – Falch
Company name: Falch
Company representative: George Moffat
Job title: Area Sales Manager UK
What services do you deliver to the water jetting industry?
At Falch our target is to be first in performance, first in quality and first in service for water jetting equipment to buy or hire.
That includes pumps, jetting guns, nozzles, robots and accessories.
The services we offer are designed to provide our customers with the best water jetting technology, reliability and know-how in the industry.
Falch supports customers with on-site demonstrations, project and application support, equipment hire and sale, and repair and maintenance.
What new service developments should we look out for from you in the next year or so? Ones you can tell us about!
Over the next year or so, our aim is to expand our existing services within the UK. Through increased headcount and investment in the rental fleet, our aim is to support customers further afield with increased equipment availability.
What are the three most important elements of service delivery for your customers and why?
The Falch philosophy of performance, quality and service exists because of the importance placed on these attributes by our customers.
Performance in the modern world does not, necessarily, just relate to speed. In the modern world, performance is important to customers due to consciousness around the environment and the impact we make. So, performance at Falch focuses on creating products that work extremely well, are efficient and use the least energy.
Providing quality is something our customers have become to expect through longer equipment lifetimes, fewer breakdowns, consistent results in harsh environments and, most importantly, maintaining safety compliance.
Lastly, service, because providing customers with a great product is only half the answer. Consistent service delivery provides our customers with the confidence and ability to deliver for their customers, whilst doing so safely and reliably.
What have been the business highlights for Falch over the last 12 months?
Around 18 months ago, Falch officially commercialised its largest pump yet, which is a significant 500kw!
Since its launch, the sales team has been working with customers globally to present the product which has seen significant demand, further complementing the Falch pump range.
Tell us something that you think anyone outside the industry will find amazing about your products and/or services or what they can achieve.
During operation of the Falch pumps, water exists the nozzle at speeds as high as 1740mph!
What’s the biggest change in technology or process you have witnessed in your service sector in recent years?
By far the biggest change in the water jetting industry in recent years is the growth and demand for automation and robotics.
At Falch , we have placed significant focus on creating robotics that increase safety to operators and deliver results to our customers. Our range of robots can be adapted to the many different applications of water jetting and integrated with pump power from 30kw right through to the Falch 500kw pump.
I would encourage anyone who is interested in robotics to take a look at the vast selection on display at the Falch headquarters in Germany. The invite is there, you will not be disappointed.
What do you think will be the biggest changes or challenges over the next 10 years?
I think it’s very likely over the next 10 years we will see significant growth in water jetting – fingers crossed!
Through regulation and compliance, it’s likely we will see water jetting become the specified choice over alternatives that are not considered to be ecofriendly.
What are you most proud of about the way your team supports your customers?
I’m most proud of how our team doesn’t just sell or rent equipment, we act as a partner to our customer ensuring that the service or product we provide is correct for the customer and provides them with the intended benefit.
Given the industry we are in, our customers need a reliable partner who can respond with solutions when things get difficult.
Why did you decide to join the WJA?
As an original equipment manufacturer, we are keen to ensure we provide our customers with the most up-to-date and relevant guidance on water jetting. Joining the WJA demonstrates Falch’s seriousness around industry standards and the safety of Falch equipment operators.
The WJA is the known standard within the UK, and knowledge sharing on topics such as safety can only be positive for the industry and collective WJA members.
What advantages do you expect to get from being a member of the WJA?
Being a member of the WJA will provide us with a great opportunity to be visible to the vast network of WJA members.
At Falch, we are expecting to reach customers that we may not have reached before whilst being able provide additional services such as training from Falch Manchester with a WJA-approved coach/examiner.
Additionally, we expect to benefit from the networking events hosted by the WJA, with the opportunity to meet members and understand the latest news in the industry.
What do you think are the WJA’s key achievements?
I believe the key achievements of the WJA is their input into developing and promoting safety standards.
Most notably, the development of its codes of practice for using water jetting equipment.
This criteria is the industry standard and is applicable for all types of water jetting, including high and ultra high pressure, drain and sewer jetting, and pressure washing.
Why is it important to have a member organisation for the water jetting industry?
If handled correctly, water jetting is safe, done incorrectly water jetting can be extremely dangerous.
With a member organisation driving procedures and standards, the risk to the end user can be minimised.
What key issues do you think the WJA should focus on over the next three years, and why?
Firstly, which will always be high on the agenda – continuous improvement of safety standards.
Secondly, updating the training and qualifications keeping them relevant to growth within the industry.
Lastly, embracing new technology and automation. Progress within this area will provide huge benefits to customers. Automation will undoubtedly help improve safety within water jetting, provide customers with more machine and equipment ‘up’ time and provide innovation to grow the industry beyond current methods.
If Falch were an animal, what kind would it be?
If Falch was an animal, it would have to be a falcon.
Not primarily because it is actually very closely sounding, but for the following:
- Falcons are known for their precision striking of their target with incredible accuracy at high speed.
- A falcon’s dive can exceed 300km/h, making it the fastest animal on earth. Ironic that Falch advertises itself on 3000bar!
- Efficiency – falcons don’t waste energy!
- Falcons hunt in different environments, similar to Falch!
