HYTRANS SYSTEMS: CERTAINTY IN TIMES
OF CHAOS
Frisian company is the world market leader in
mobile water transport for disaster relief
Caterpillar engines are used in many different applications worldwide and each application has its own specifications and challenges. But the water transport systems from Hytrans Systems in Lemmer, Friesland, occupy a unique place even in that broad and versatile spectrum. Motorennieuws went out and did some research.
ALWAYS ON THE RIGHT PLACE
“In the case of a nuclear disaster, such as in Fukushima in 2011, it was possible that there could be no road at all. Or a building could be in the way. But even in those scenarios, our pumps must still end up in the right place and work flawlessly." Robert Hut, Managing Director of Hytrans Systems, knows what he’s talking about. His company is the world market leader in water transport systems
for fire brigades, governments and the petrochemical and nuclear industries. The Tokyo fire brigade is also one of its customers. “The disaster in Fukushima was therefore also brought under control with pump systems from Hytrans. We are naturally very proud of that. But our systems have been used in many other major incidents around the world.
ROBERT HUT
Managing Director
of Hytrans Systems
“Caterpillar has a great name and is represented worldwide. That provides certainty."
COMPLETE PROGRAM
We’re the only ones with such a complete program of water transport systems in the market. Our systems consist of a pumping system, a hose-handling section and our own accessories, including fittings and water cannons.” Hytrans Systems pumping systems generally consist of a shock-resistant casing containing an engine, fuel tanks, pumps, hydraulics and control systems. Getting all that to work together and be deployable in fire and disaster relief under extremely demanding circumstances makes for some very specific challenges.
Robert Hut explains: “To start with the point mentioned before: an easy transport route is not always available. This means that the systems must weigh as little as possible. So, you want to use the lightest possible engines that fulfil the required power density.
But at the same time, and most importantly, that engine must always work. Always. Even if it’s been kept out of action in temperatures below freezing point for a year, or has just been violently knocked down by a forklift on the ruins of a building.”
WELL-THOUGHT OUT AND RELIABLE
It’s this level of reliability that distinguishes Hytrans from its competitors. The company has just won another tender to supply the Dutch fire brigade with new systems. Even though it had not even been technically necessary: "The current systems are still operating flawlessly after 30 years of loyal service." When asked how his company achieves that level of reliability, Hut answers with a telling smile. That’s the chef’s secret!” Obviously I’m not going to make the few competitors out there any wiser than necessary... "But after some insistence, he eventually opens up a little: “It’s mainly a combination of a lot of well-thought out details in the overall design of the system. Competitors don’t usually manage to get all the details in pump and hose systems right. That's why they often fade from the market after about five years - that's how it’s been going for 25 years... In all modesty: we have that engineering in perfect order. Moreover, we usually develop and test everything ourselves. Obviously, you also have to work with the best components."
A WORLDWIDE REPRESENTED GREAT NAME
Hytrans Systems has been relying on Pon Power Caterpillar engines to drive the pump systems for many years. The C18 and C32 Marine engines, in particular, work very well in the systems, because they are compact engines with high power density. Hut adds: “In addition, our customers are located all over the world. It’s important for those customers to be able to find service and parts locally. “Caterpillar has a great name and is represented worldwide. That provides certainty."
FACTS &
FIGURES
WE ARE THE BEST IN OUR FIELD
All in all, 30 years of know-how, a unique and critical design and engineering vision, and reliable components add up to a proposition that is undoubtedly the best in the market. Robert Hut: “We are very proud of our products. And we obviously think we are the best. Fortunately, our customers all over the world agree with us!”
A WORLD FIRST
The company has just won another tender to supply the Dutch fire brigade with new systems.
HYTRANS SYSTEMS: CERTAINTY IN TIMES OF CHAOS
Frisian company is the world market leader in mobile water transport for disaster relief
FACTS & FIGURES
HYTRANS SYSTEMS BV:
World market leader in the development and production of mobile water transport systems, including for the nuclear industry, petrochemical industry, government and fire brigades
APPLICATIONS:
Fire-fighting, disaster relief, flood relief, industrial, nuclear, cooling
Caterpillar engines are used in many different applications worldwide and each application has its own specifications and challenges. But the water transport systems from Hytrans Systems in Lemmer, Friesland, occupy a unique place even in that broad and versatile spectrum. Motorennieuws went out and did some research.
ALWAYS ON THE RIGHT PLACE
“In the case of a nuclear disaster, such as in Fukushima in 2011, it was possible that there could be no road at all. Or a building could be in the way. But even in those scenarios, our pumps must still end up in the right place and work flawlessly." Robert Hut, Managing Director of Hytrans Systems, knows what he’s talking about. His company is the world market leader in water transport systems for fire brigades, governments and the petrochemical and nuclear industries. The Tokyo fire brigade is also one of its customers. “The disaster in Fukushima was therefore also brought under control with pump systems from Hytrans. We are naturally very proud of that. But our systems have been used in many other major incidents around the world.
COMPLETE PROGRAM
We’re the only ones with such a complete program of water transport systems in the market. Our systems consist of a pumping system, a hose-handling section and our own accessories, including fittings and water cannons.” Hytrans Systems pumping systems generally consist of a shock-resistant casing containing an engine, fuel tanks, pumps, hydraulics and control systems. Getting all that to work together and be deployable in fire and disaster relief under extremely demanding circumstances makes for some very specific challenges.
Robert Hut explains: “To start with the point mentioned before: an easy transport route is not always available. This means that the systems must weigh as little as possible. So, you want to use the lightest possible engines that fulfil the required power density.
But at the same time, and most importantly, that engine must always work. Always. Even if it’s been kept out of action in temperatures below freezing point for a year, or has just been violently knocked down by a forklift on the ruins of a building.”
WELL-THOUGHT OUT AND RELIABLE
It’s this level of reliability that distinguishes Hytrans from its competitors. The company has just won another tender to supply the Dutch fire brigade with new systems. Even though it had not even been technically necessary: "The current systems are still operating flawlessly after 30 years of loyal service." When asked how his company achieves that level of reliability, Hut answers with a telling smile. That’s the chef’s secret!” Obviously I’m not going to make the few competitors out there any wiser than necessary... "But after some insistence, he eventually opens up a little: “It’s mainly a combination of a lot of well-thought out details in the overall design of the system. Competitors don’t usually manage to get all the details in pump and hose systems right. That's why they often fade from the market after about five years - that's how it’s been going for 25 years... In all modesty: we have that engineering in perfect order. Moreover, we usually develop and test everything ourselves. Obviously, you also have to work with the best components."
“Caterpillar has a great name and is represented worldwide. That provides certainty."
ROBERT HUT
Managing Director
of Hytrans Systems
A WORLDWIDE REPRESENTED
GREAT NAME
Hytrans Systems has been relying on Pon Power Caterpillar engines to drive the pump systems for many years. The C18 and C32 Marine engines, in particular, work very well in the systems, because they are compact engines with high power density. Hut adds: “In addition, our customers are located all over the world. It’s important for those customers to be able to find service and parts locally. “Caterpillar has a great name and is represented worldwide. That provides certainty."
A WORLD FIRST
The company has just won another tender to supply the Dutch fire brigade with new systems.
WE ARE THE BEST IN OUR FIELD
All in all, 30 years of know-how, a unique and critical design and engineering vision, and reliable components add up to a proposition that is undoubtedly the best in the market. Robert Hut: “We are very proud of our products. And we obviously think we are the best. Fortunately, our customers all over the world agree with us!”