An engineering firm has signed an agreement with a Japanese multinational for the design and manufacture of an innovative product.
The materials handling division of Woodville firm Greenbank is working with the Bridgestone Corporation on pipe conveyor projects.
It means that the Derbyshire firm will have the benefit of the Japanese rubber giant's technical and design expertise on large-scale industrial projects.
Used to transport bulk materials, such as cement, coal or biofuels from ships or across land to their point of use, pipe conveyor projects are generally worth between £250,000 and £2.5 million.
The Greenbank Group has invested heavily in developing pipe conveyors, which it hopes will replace traditional conveyor belts in industry.
Greenbank's systems are designed to minimise dust generation, protect materials from contamination, prevent spillage and take up less space.
Greenbank managing director Charles Conroy said: "Having pioneered the pipe conveyor, Bridgestone's technical knowledge and operational experience in this field is second to none.
"This agreement gives Greenbank access to an unrivalled level of technical expertise which will undoubtedly help further enhance our pipe conveyor portfolio."
As part of the agreement, Bridgestone Corporation is supplying Greenbank with its know-how, technical support and belt products on an exclusive basis for biomass power plant projects.
The company believes that its pipe conveyor has the potential to significantly increase turnover in the coming years.
It also reports a healthy tender platform for these products that indicates a growing demand across the globe.
Interested parties include ports, the cement industry, engineering design houses, planners and companies engaged in constructing biomass power plants.
The Bridgestone Corporation was one of the first companies in the world to develop pipe conveyors.
Akira Nakaegawa is the corporation's general manager for the sales and marketing of conveyor belts.
He said: "The Bridgestone Corporation is committed to working with companies that deliver exceptional products and services for the materials handling industry and the Greenbank Group has an excellent reputation in this field.
"We are very much looking forward to providing our technical services as they design and deploy pipe conveyor systems which use Bridgestone belt technology."
The materials handling team at Greenbank is led by engineer Paul Holt, who has a reputation as a global expert in this field.
Design and manufacturing of pipe conveyors takes place in Derbyshire with the firm's personnel also involved in installation work.
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