From production anxiety to full control: How we helped the paint factory secure its operations

The challenge: A vulnerable production with remote support

The customer's plant used bead mills where the pumps were installed directly by the foreign machine manufacturer. As the manufacturer had no representation in Sweden, several challenges arose as the need for maintenance increased.

The challenges were particularly evident in the following areas:

• Lack of local support: Without a Swedish agent, every technical question or spare parts order became an uncertain and time-consuming process.
• Long lead times: The lack of local stock meant that critical parts had to be shipped from abroad, creating a constant risk of prolonged production stoppages.
• Complex environment: The pumps are located in confined spaces in the bead mills and handle demanding, abrasive pigments and binders of varying viscosities.

Kent Lekeborn, pump salesman at Colly Flowtech and responsible for the project at the customer, describes the starting point: 

”For the customer, it was ultimately about gaining control over a critical part of production. When support, spare parts and technical expertise are located far away, any downtime becomes more vulnerable than it needs to be. That's where we saw the opportunity to build a solution with local presence, fast availability and long-term security.”

Gear pump HD: An optimal pump for paint production

Together with the customer, we analyzed the specific requirements of the application. To replace the original pumps, we developed a solution that not only coped with the characteristics of the medium, but also exactly matched the installation dimensions of the machines.

In close cooperation with our partner DESMI the choice fell on Rotan Gear Pump HD, a robust standard pump specifically developed for the harsh environments of the paint industry. The pump design provides smooth flow, high wear resistance and good adaptability to abrasive media with varying viscosity.

To ensure a smooth transition, our own workshop played a crucial role:

• In-house customization: We rebuilt the existing units so that the new Rotan pumps fit directly into the machines without the customer having to make their own modifications. Among other things, we adapted mounting points, couplings and installation dimensions for a smooth installation.
• Optimized material choices: Thanks to a wide range of bushings and seals, we were able to configure the pumps to maximize service life despite the abrasive pigments.
• Test drives: Through close dialog and testing, we verified that the flow and capacity matched the original.

The result: Stable operation and easier maintenance

By standardizing on a proven gear pump for paint production with local support, the customer has achieved a much more stable operation. The result was less vulnerable production, easier service work and better control of the plant's critical components.

Standardization has led to:

• Shorter lead times: Spare parts are now available close by, minimizing unplanned downtime.
• Better overview: A unified pump park simplifies both spare parts storage and preventive maintenance.
• Increased security: With a local partner, technical expertise is close at hand, resulting in more predictable production and greater control in maintenance work.

Secure operations with the right gear pump for paint production

The project shows the importance of looking beyond the product itself. By combining technical expertise with local workshop customization and an understanding of the customer's process, we were able to create a solution. This did not just replace a component, but strengthened the entire operational reliability.

Are you a maintenance manager and recognize the challenge? Do you also have critical pumps in your production where support feels too far away or where spare parts management is complex?

Feel free to get in touch with me (kent.lekeborn@colly.se), we'll look at how a standardized pumping solution can simplify your everyday life.