Manufacturing Technology
Globenewswire | August 08, 2023
Draganfly Inc., an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions, and systems developer, is pleased to announce its new manufacturing facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is scheduled to come online in Q3. This expansion is part of Draganfly's commitment to meeting the increasing market potential for products and solutions.
The Saskatoon facility is specifically designed to accommodate a growing demand for UAV systems and components, including those engineered for the Heavy Lift, Commander 3 XL, and the Company’s newest product, the Precision Delivery System.
With the incorporation of expanded manufacturing footprint and streamlined processes, the Saskatoon facility will enhance core manufacturing, assembly, integration, and quality control operations. As a result, the facility will increase production capacity while creating new opportunities to develop exciting new products and solutions.
"This is an incredible time for Draganfly with two new facilities to be fully functional along with our integrated Texas AIR Operations center at a time by we are about to witness increased growth in the unmanned aerial industry," said Cameron Chell, President, and CEO of Draganfly. "We are excited for our new Saskatoon facility to come online to meet the immediate and ongoing demand."
Following the successful launch of the Burnaby facility, which is enabling Saskatoon to transition to a new and expanded facility, and with the operational commencement of the Texas AIR operations center, Draganfly is well positioned to scale up its operations to meet the expanding industry demand.
About Draganfly
Draganfly Inc. is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize how organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 24 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.
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Manufacturing Technology
PR Newswire | July 20, 2023
BBB Industries, LLC (BBB), a leading sustainable manufacturer serving automotive, industrial, energy storage, and solar markets, backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (Clearlake), announced today that it has acquired Hydraulex, a provider of critical, need-it-now hydraulic solutions serving the industrial aftermarket. Terms of the deal were not announced.
This strategic acquisition marks an important milestone in BBB's journey as it further expands the company's offerings into an array of industrial markets. Hydraulex's history of providing repair and remanufacturing of aftermarket hydraulic components for both mobile and fixed applications aligns with BBB's commitment to sustainable manufacturing in support of efficient resource management and reduced total cost of ownership.
"We are thrilled to welcome Hydraulex into the BBB enterprise," said Duncan Gillis, CEO of BBB. "This acquisition opens opportunities to provide our customers with additional product and service options. Our goal is to continue to spread the power of sustainable manufacturing at scale to deliver even greater value to our customers, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead."
"The acquisition of Hydraulex is an exciting development for BBB as we build upon the company's foundation in sustainable manufacturing and expand into adjacent industrial end-markets," said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Colin Leonard, Partner and Managing Director, at Clearlake.
"This acquisition, our second since partnering with Duncan and the BBB team last year, represents our O.P.S.® framework in action as we pursue accelerated growth through both organic initiatives and strategic M&A," added Ben Kruger, Senior Vice President at Clearlake.
With a four-decade legacy of manufacturing excellence, Hydraulex's products power critical equipment spanning across infrastructure, industrial, construction, agriculture, mining, on-highway and marine equipment end-markets.
About Hydraulex
Hydraulex is a family of Attica Hydraulic Exchange, Flint Hydrostatics, Hydraulic Repair and Design and Metaris Hydraulics. We are a company that repairs and provides Remanufactured, Aftermarket, and OEM hydraulic units and components. We specialize in industrial applications like paper mills, saw mills, steel mills, recycling plants, oil & gas applications and mobile applications, including construction, utility, mining, agricultural and marine equipment.
About BBB Industries
BBB Industries, LLC is a leading sustainable manufacturer serving the automotive, industrial, and renewable energy markets. With an extensive footprint and operations throughout North America, BBB entered the European market in 2020 and now sustainably manufactures and supplies an assortment of nondiscretionary repair parts across more than 90 countries. TerrePower is a division of BBB that services the electric vehicle, energy storage and solar markets across both North America and Europe. Founded in 1987, BBB Industries, LLC is a private company with corporate centers located in the greater Mobile, Alabama and Dallas, Texas areas. Please see www.bbbind.com for more information.
About Clearlake
Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S.® The firm's core target sectors are industrials, technology and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $70 billion of assets under management and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK, Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
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Manufacturing Technology
BusinessWire | September 01, 2023
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the leading global standards development organization for wireless power standards, is turning its attention to the emerging and rapidly expanding Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) market for its next wireless charging standard and to provide consumers and manufacturers alike with improved safety and convenience.
The WPC recently announced its new global standard for mobile devices with the Qi2 standard and will be launching its Ki standard for cordless kitchen appliances in 2024. The growing popularity of eBikes and electric scooters and the lack of a global charging standard for their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is an opportunity for the WPC to apply its expertise to establish a universal wireless charging standard that ensures safety, convenience, and interoperability.
“A lack of a charging standard for this sector can easily lead to poor user experience and significant safety issues such as fires. A standard – like Qi2 or KI - assures consumers that their devices are safe, efficient, and interoperable with other brands,” says Paul Struhsaker, executive director of the Wireless Power Consortium. “Consumer demand for convenience and efficiency is driving universal standards. Furthermore, standards provide consumers safety and reliability – from mobile devices to LEVs.”
Most eBikes and eScooters have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the same batteries that power smartphones and laptops, and can fail when damaged, overcharged, or operated in extreme temperature conditions. Batteries for LEVs though are much bigger— up to 100 times larger —than the ones in personal electronics and pose a greater risk.
The popularity of LEVs surged during the pandemic and the corresponding drop in prices made them more affordable. However, inconsistent manufacturing standards and the availability of after-market chargers that may not be compatible with the battery is leading to more fires and injuries. The dominant problems with battery charging today for LEVs include:
The absence of a universal standard for chargers.
The connectors on the charging cable for LEVs wear out and break.
There exists no mobile charging alternative.
About the Wireless Power Consortium
The Wireless Power Consortium leads the world in ensuring consumers, retailers, and manufacturers that they can rely on universal, interoperable standards and certifications for wireless power. Through rigorous testing and certifications, the global body is dedicated to ensuring safe, efficient, and interoperable wireless charging and wireless power.
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