Our interview with Industria (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will discuss the benefits of the water filter “FILSTAR” being used in an industrial factory. SAMURAI FACTORY takes this opportunity to talk with Mr.Noppol, Sales Manager of Engineering Plastic Co., Ltd. which manufactures plastic parts used in electrical appliances and in the automotive Industry, and Khun Pinyo, Sales & Application Manager at Industria (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
ENGINEERING PLASTIC CO., LTD.
Mr. Noppol Ungormporn, Sales Manager
Industria (Thailand) CO., LTD.
Mr. Pinyo Khamhorm, Application and Sales Manager
Today, Samurai has the opportunity to talk to Khun Pinyo, Application and Sales Manager of Industria (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Khun Nopphol, Sales Manager of Engineering Plastic Co., Ltd., about FILSTAR products.
Mr. Noppol Ungamporn (left) Sales Manager of Plastic Engineering Co., Ltd. Injection Molding (Plastic Injection) produces many types of plastic parts for mainly electrical appliances, automotive parts, and food and medical packaging. The company was founded in 1987 by his father, who is now retired. His mother manages the company administration, and his brother is responsible for factory management.
Plastic parts manufacturing process in an Engineering Plastic factory
Noppol:I had the opportunity to visit Japan in April 2016 with the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). I visited the Industria factory and saw the production process of FILSTAR. I thought that FILSTAR would be beneficial to our plant at that time.
Since our factory was founded almost 20 years ago, the groundwater or tap water we use has a very high calcification problem. Slag started to enter the tube and was quite thick. At that time, it was starting to fall apart. If we did not do something soon, the slag would come back into the system again and would fill up the heat exchanger or other water system causing a lot of problems. So we decided to use FILSTAR in combination with other chemicals in order to trap the slag and other sludge.
What are the key factors for choosing FILSTAR?
Noppol:The main reason for choosing FILSTAR was because it is a filterless system. Therefore, no filter changes are required. It saves us a lot of time and money on maintenance. Our water system improved dramatically after the FILSTAR installation. Our previous water treatment system was filter-based, and we faced a lot of problems regarding slag and sludge in the water. Our factory requires around 10 cubic meters of water per day (1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters). We were also using a R.O. (Reverse Osmosis:RO) system together with the filtered system. Before using FILSTAR, our combination system can only achieve 50 % efficiency at that time. Half of our water goes to waste.
When FILSTAR was installed, we did not have to move all of our water through the FILSTAR, only the waste. FILSTAR helps us remove slag and sludge from the waste and, therefore, it improves our water system by reducing waste and helping to improve the system efficiency at the same time.
The treated water through FILSTAR flows back into the system via a green pipe.
Noppol:FILSTAR has helped to reduce sediment within our water treatment system and we are quite satisfied with the outcome. It also helps to extend the system life span as well. Because our water system is old and has a lot of problems, we are using chemicals to remove deposits on the pipe walls, but it also damaged the heat exchanger coins at the same time. FILSTAR helps to reduce the use of chemicals; therefore, our water treatment system lifespan has increased. Ideally, old tubes should be replaced to get better results or a new pipe system should be installed in order to get the most efficient system. In the meantime, we have to work with what we have.
I have some questions for Khun Pinyo. Please explain to me in the simplest way. FILSTAR is a water purifier for industrial plants. How many types of FILSTAR do you have?
Pinyo:There are 6 standard sizes of our FILSTAR ranging from KS-15 to KL-50. The system that was installed at Engineering Plastic’s plant is the KSM-25, which is medium-sized and has a flow rate of 20-40 liters / min.
Pinyo:Yes, indeed. The standard models are small (Type S), medium (Type M) and large (Type L) sizes. There is also a special model (Type X), which has a flow rate starting at 1,000 liters / minute, which is mostly used in large industries such as the painting process for car industry, where the car is submerged into the cleaning pool for clearing iron debris and etcetera. FILSTAR special models can also be used for cooling tower systems depending on the client's budget because the cost is quite high for such large systems (laughs).
Pinyo:If FILSTAR is directly installed into a water treatment system, the FILSTAR flow rate will need to be compatible with the system flow. Therefore, pump capacity will determine the FILSTAR model. In Engineering Plastic’s case, FILSTAR is installed inside the water tank beneath the cooling tower. The installation can use any model depending on the flow rate desired. The larger the model installed, the greater flow rate can be achieved. Therefore, there is no specific limitation.
(left)Cooling tower and water tank. (right)A medium size FILSTAR is installed under the cooling tower.(KSM-25)
What is your overall view of FILSTAR for market reception?
Pinyo:Comparing yearly earnings for April’s performance this year (2018), it is better than the same time last year. Our year-on-year sales are increasing.
What are the main factors you think the customers are interested in FILSTAR?
Pinyo:The main reasons that customers choose FILSTAR are because it is cheaper in the long term, is environmentally friendly and has durable material and a long-lasting design. The conventional water treatment system is filter-based. It might be a cheaper installation method, but it needs regular maintenance and replacement, while disposal of used filters causes environmental concerns as well. Meanwhile, FILSTAR is designed to have the optimum lifespan. Furthermore, our FILSTAR is made of stainless steel which is rust-free and resistant to the extreme conditions of a factory.
High installation cost but very cost-effective in the long term.
Pinyo:It may cost more for the initial installation than conventional water filters, but more and more customers take the long-term investment approach with our products.
Pinyo:Yes, indeed. My product presentation to client will emphasise 3 main advantages of FILSTAR over conventional products--no industrial waste, maintenance free and cost effective over its lifetime.
Pinyo:We have many ongoing big projects at the moment. We are expecting a purchase order for a large system of 1,000 liters / min flow rate model for the paint shop of a car manufacturing company. Also, there are numbers of sales discussion in progress for several machines at the end of the year. I believe our sales forecast is looking very strong this year (laugh).
Office
Tel: +66(0)2-171-7680
Goto
Mobile: +66(0)98-847-3256
Email: goto@industria.co.th
Chompoo
Mobile: +66(0)98-252-3582
Emai: sales@industria.co.th