We’re proud to highlight the significant progress made by Meridian Technical Services, a key member of our SK AeroSafety Group portfolio. Specialising in fire suppression systems and halon recovery, Meridian has made impressive strides in expanding their operational capabilities in recent months, strengthening our Group’s diverse service offerings.
New Cryogenic Gas Storage System Doubles Capacity
In a major infrastructure upgrade completed in February, our Meridian facility has installed new 50-ton cryogenic storage tanks and vaporisers at their 25,000 square foot facility in Erith, UK. The enhanced system includes upgraded gas delivery pipework, pressure boosters, and control systems that enable our team to complete batch fills of 48x 80-litre 300-bar inert gas cylinders in record time.
This significant enhancement has effectively doubled Meridian’s throughput capacity compared to the previous year, allowing us to take on larger volume orders and welcome new OEM fills to our customer list. All deliveries are handled by our in-house fleet of ADR HGVs equipped with forklift trucks, ensuring seamless service from production to delivery.
Automated Cylinder Refurbishment Transforms Productivity
March saw another leap forward in our technological capabilities with the introduction of a new automated cylinder shot blasting machine at Meridian. This custom-designed equipment has dramatically increased production efficiency, expanding the cylinder preparation handling capacity from 50 cylinders per day to an impressive 50 cylinders per hour.
The new machine automates the cleaning of high-pressure gas cylinders, bringing them back to bare metal for better visual inspection at our in-house Inspection Body. Capable of handling almost the entire range of welded and seamless carbon steel fire suppression cylinders up to 460mm in diameter, this technology not only enhances throughput but also reduces manual handling in the preparation area.
This increase in cylinder preparation throughput has further enhanced our goal to become the leading supplier of service exchange cylinders to the fire suppression industry. The technology investment future-proofs Meridian for expansion as we strengthen our position as the go-to supplier for both exchange and OEM new-fills.
Fleet Expansion with New 32-Ton Mercedes Arocs
Adding to our logistics capabilities, we’ve recently signed a deal with Saga-Mercedes Dartford for a new 32-ton four-axle lorry. This drop-side rigid ADR vehicle, set to enter service in September, will be equipped with a custom-specified Loadmac 825i Superreach forklift truck for unrivalled load/unload capabilities.
The new vehicle will significantly increase our delivery capacity, supporting 10 stillages of cylinders at a time—approximately 20 tons in overall delivery weight—and carrying 24 more cylinders per load than our current vehicles. As with our existing fleet, the new truck will be operated by our in-house team of ADR drivers, maximising our ability to service customers throughout the UK exactly when needed.
Looking Ahead
With these substantial investments in infrastructure, automation, and logistics, our Meridian Technical Services operation continues to strengthen its market position in the fire suppression industry. A new promotional video is also in the works to showcase the scale of Meridian’s operations, addressing a common customer observation: “We had no idea you were that big.”
We’re also preparing to announce a significant new OEM factory customer partnership that promises to further elevate Meridian’s industry standing, cementing their reputation as a trusted filling station within their sector.
These developments reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation across all SK AeroSafety Group companies, while maintaining the distinct focus of each of our specialised brands. Meridian’s expertise in serving the fire suppression and facilities management industries complements our broader mission of keeping aviation safe through diverse, specialised technical services.
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