FIBA Technologies, Inc.

The last few weeks have seen truck after truck rolling into FIBA Technologies’ Littleton, MA plant, delivering hundreds of pipes, the raw material for our high pressure gas storage vessels and trailers. A stock yard full of pipes is a sign of FIBA’s drive to streamline its supply chain and keep lead times down. We are now more than a year into FIBA’s new supply chain regime, developed after the post-pandemic surge in critical raw material prices and supplies. This was coupled with transportation and logistics challenges which FIBA addressed by working closely with customers, suppliers and logistics experts. The result saw FIBA implement flexible solutions that meet customer needs in a timely manner. Specifically, FIBA has fostered flexible provider relationships, realigned its transportation systems and entered into a whole range of critical agreements that have resulted in a robust and reliable materials supply chain. The visible result is that driveway full of trucks delivering pipe.

FIBA's new Sweden plant is coming along in leaps and bounds: recent trial manufacturing runs have seen the first test vessels coming off the line. We're on track for producing high pressure Type 1 vessels later this year. FIBA’s Chief Operating Officer, John Finn, has sent us this update from Trelleborg: “We've spent the last few months preparing the site and installing state-of-the-art machinery and plant, including a furnace and spinner. I'm happy to report that we have completed trial spinning sessions on tubes for the first time in Sweden. “FIBA spins tubes to form their ends as this delivers a more accurate product in a reliable and speedy manner. “Our Sweden plant is being developed in answer to customer demand in Europe and beyond. It will replicate our Massachusetts site which can produce 3,000 vessels a year.” #fibatech #highpressuregas #gasvessels #gasstorage #gastransportation

Hydrogen for breakfast? It's encouraging to see the roll-out of hydrogen as an alternative fuel being trialled by various major manufacturers. In the UK, Kellogg Company has just completed a three-week trial of hydrogen-powered cereal production, as we can read in H2 View here https://lnkd.in/gMjS9vTF H2 View reports that at Kellogg's Manchester factory in the North of England fossil fuel gas was replaced with hydrogen to power the cereal giant's toasting oven. So in the coming weeks Brits can enjoy their Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, Special K and Rice Krispies even more, knowing they've been toasted using hydrogen. #hydrogen #gasstorage #gastransportation #fibatech

Can under-sizing your vaporizer impact operational efficiency? To learn the answer and the reasons why check out this recent Reliably Ratermann podcast from Ratermann Manufacturing https://lnkd.in/eBvZDcyi Chris Finn, FIBA’s Chief Commercial Officer, and Jim Hanly, Director of Product Development at FinnCo, the vaporizer arm of FIBA, are this episode’s guests, discussing all things vaporizer, from understanding different types to the challenges with incorrect vaporizer sizing. George Ratermann and Marie Williams are the hosts, bringing industry news, trends and insights. #vaporizers #fibatech #gastechnology #ratermann #cryogenics #vaporization 

The installation of key machinery at FIBA's new manufacturing plant in Trelleborg, Sweden is progressing at some pace, giving FIBA its first European site. We will be producing high pressure vessels there in a few months' time. The major works for the furnace installation have been caught on camera here https://lnkd.in/ehrATYsB

Congratulations to Mike Poltorak, former Plant Manager at FIBA Technologies’ East Greenville, Pennsylvania site, who has a new national role overseeing improved efficiencies at all of FIBA’s seven service centres across the US. Mike has been a key team member at FIBA since 2000. He also previously drove trucks and trailers for a living, experience that brings real benefits when discussing trailer repairs and maintenance with customers. Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Finn, comments: “Mike is unique because he can turn his hand to every aspect of the shop. “FIBA’s service locations managers’ are very hands-on. They know the products and the customers, and are highly respected across the company, none more than Mike. He is held in very high regard, from the top down." Away from work, Mike is a motorcycle fanatic, with four Harley Davidsons including a 1952 classic he’s presently working on.

Hyvolution in Paris is a key event for FIBA in the lead up to our new Sweden manufacturing plant coming online. Our International Sales Manager, Paris-based JC Poussin, is a central contact for the European hydrogen sector. JC seems to know everyone across the industry.

FIBA Technologies’ new Plant Manager at its Pennsylvania site is Harold Ballou Jr, a seasoned race car builder and a chemist. But it was his love of fabrication that led Harold to apply for his first job with FIBA in 2011. “In the 14 years I have been at FIBA I have learned from the best,” comments Harold. “Being assistant PM to Mike Poltorak has enabled me to play a central part in improving many aspects of the way we work at FIBA. “Productivity is the key. At East Greenville we have more than tripled our revenue with the same staff levels, through improved processes and communication. “It is exciting to be a part of FIBA’s continuing growth and success.” #fibatech #gastrailers #gasstorage #highpressuregas

Every successful company knows that, when it comes down to it, the team is the most important aspect of the entire business. It's one of the reasons FIBA Technologies has regular team get-togethers, like this one. A cook-out held recently at a colleague's house was just what we needed to bring the team and their families together for some serious fun. #fibatech #hydrogen #industrialgas #gasstorage #gastransportation #teambuilding

Happy New Year! We are grateful to H2 View magazine for publishing an excellent article by Claudio Lanzarini, our Vice President of Engineering, titled 'Desert Fires and Rail Impact Testing: Making Hydrogen Transportation Safe'. The title says it all and we strongly recommend this examination of the time and dedication that has gone into making the transportation of hydrogen as safe as it is.