8:10am Sunday 7th March 2010
By Jon Livesey
A PIONEERING steam cleaning system developed by an East Lancashire company is helping an American firm to grow.
B&M Longworth, based at Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn, has sold its DEECOM system, used for cleaning filters on production lines, to Carolina Filters Inc, in the US — a move which could create 20 new jobs at the American plant in the next five years.
The sale of the machine, which offers an eco-friendly alternative to using solvent-based systems, is worth around £200,000.
Despite being responsible for the concept, design and creation of the DEECOM system, the majority of B&M Longworth’s efforts go into the original and other side of the business, which involves cleaning industrial components for other firms.
Bosses are aiming to sell more of the machines in the future, which they hope will fund its expansion locally.
Director Alan Reid said: “We were ready to sell it two years ago when no one was buying, but £200,000 is a significant amount of money and it has come at the right time.
"The company is looking to buy another one this year and we’re aiming to export six in the next five years.”
The DEECOM system involves steam heated to 400C used to clean polymer-contaminated items.
It is often used to clean £30,000 filters used in the production of plastic chips or film-based plastic wrap.
Mr Reid said the firm was committed to reducing its carbon footprint.
According to Mr Reid, the DEECOM concept began around 10 years ago.
It took between four and five years to complete and then patent the pioneering system.
A three-man team spent six months building the machinery, which has now been sold to Carolina Filters Inc.
The technology allows staff at the Shadsworth base to monitor the equipment from thousands of miles away.
The East Lancashire firm has had a working relationship with the South Carolina firm for more than a decade.
US Congressman James E Clyburn was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony where the machine was unveiled.
B&M Longworth carries out regular cleaning work for a Malaysian firm and is hoping to secure a contract with a Lithuanian company.
Mr Reid said efforts this year would be focused on securing cleaning contracts with firms in the aerospace industry.
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