Services
Air Compressors for the Manufacturing Industry
Did you know that up to 30% of the compressed air in the average UK factory is lost due to leaks and inefficiencies? That’s a significant portion of your energy bill going to waste. Compressed air is your fourth utility, but it’s often the most expensive and overlooked.
This guide gets straight to the point. It shows you how to stop the waste, select the right industrial air compressors, and turn a significant operational cost into a source of reliability and profit.
Choosing the Right Compressor, Cut Your Costs
Selecting the right technology is the first step to a more efficient compressed air system. As a leading supplier, we help you choose from a range of air compressor industrial applications. Understanding the different types of air compressors is key to optimising your factory.
- Rotary Screw Compressors: The workhorse for any continuous manufacturing operation.
- Benefit: Provides a steady and reliable air supply for demanding 24/7 production.
- Upgrade to VSD: For fluctuating air demand, VSD air compressors (Variable Speed Drive) are a must. These energy-efficient air compressors slash power consumption by up to 50% by matching motor speed to real-time demand.
- Oil-Free Compressors: Essential for sensitive production environments.
- Benefit: Guarantees zero risk of oil contamination in your final product.
- Who needs it? Uncompromisable in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and electronics manufacturing, where certified ISO 8573-1 Class 0 air is essential to keep your brand out of the expensive scrap heap of product recalls.
- Piston Compressors: Tough, economical, and proven for those only intermittent use applications.
- Benefit: For workshops, maintenance applications, or as reliable backup equipment.
Tailored Solutions for Your Industry’s Unique Demands
Off the shelf doesn’t work. We provide site-specific solutions for the heartlands of manufacturing across Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bradford, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Chesterfield all benefit from local expertise.
For Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (Sheffield, Rotherham)
Precision is everything. Our systems deliver the absolute reliability and stable pressure needed to prevent defects in high-value components.
For Automotive (Bradford, Doncaster, Chesterfield)
Downtime is not an option. We provide robust systems and mandatory Class 0 oil-free air for paint shops to eliminate defects like “fisheyes” and avoid expensive rework.
For Aerospace & Defence (Sheffield)
In a zero-tolerance-for-error sector, air purity is critical. Class 0 oil-free compressors are the only choice to protect component integrity.
For Food & Beverage / Pharmaceuticals (Leeds, Nottingham)
Product safety is paramount. Our “Food Grade Air” solutions utilise Class 0 compressors and desiccant dryers to prevent microbial growth and ensure compliance with the highest safety standards for air compressors in the food and beverage industry.
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For Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (Sheffield, Rotherham)
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For Automotive (Bradford, Doncaster, Chesterfield)
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For Aerospace & Defence (Sheffield)
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For Food & Beverage / Pharmaceuticals (Leeds, Nottingham)
Why Atlas Copco Gives You the Edge
While many brands serve industrial needs, Atlas Copco leads where it matters most for modern manufacturing. Here’s how they stack up:
| Feature | Atlas Copco | Other Leading Brands (Ingersoll Rand, Kaeser, CompAir) |
|---|---|---|
| VSD Technology | Industry-leading VSD⁺ range offers unmatched energy savings (up to 50%+). | Good VSD options are available, but often with less sophisticated control and lower peak efficiency. |
| Oil-Free Range | The most extensive range of certified Class 0 compressors guarantees 100% oil-free air. | Limited Class 0 offerings; often rely on filtration for “technically oil-free” air, which carries a risk of failure. |
| IoT & Monitoring | The advanced SMARTLINK platform enables predictive maintenance and real-time energy insights. | Monitoring systems are available, but can be less integrated and user-friendly. |
Build a System That Works Smarter, Not Harder
Your compressor is only as good as the system supporting it. We look at the complete picture to maximise your efficiency.
Air Treatment Solutions
- The Problem: Wet, dirty air corrodes pipework, damages pneumatic tools, and can compromise the quality of your final product.
- The Solution: A complete air treatment package, including high-efficiency dryers, filters, and condensate management, ensures you get clean, dry air at the point of use.
Piping & Distribution
- The Problem: Poorly designed or old pipework causes pressure drops, forcing your compressor to run harder and waste energy.
- The Solution: Atlas Copco’s AIRnet piping systems feature a corrosion-free, low-friction design that guarantees stable pressure and eliminates leaks.
Find Hidden Savings & Boost Your Bottom Line
Your factory holds significant, untapped potential for savings. Our services turn that potential into profit.
- Stop Wasting Money on Leaks: A tiny 3mm leak can cost over £3,200 a year in wasted energy. At Search Air, our engineers use ultrasonic detectors to find every leak without disrupting your production. A professional compressed air audit is the fastest way to identify savings and make your air compressor more efficient.
- Recycle Your Energy: Up to 94% of the energy your compressor uses is lost as heat. We install energy recovery units to capture this waste heat for hot water or space heating, often paying for themselves in under two years.
- Prevent Breakdowns with Proactive Maintenance: A scheduled service plan is the simplest way to avoid costly downtime and manage your Air Compressor Maintenance Costs.
Ready to find out how much you could be saving? Book a quick site audit to uncover the hidden opportunities in your factory.
Stay Compliant and Avoid Fines—Effortlessly
Navigating UK regulations is complex, but non-compliance can lead to heavy fines. We act as your compliance partner, ensuring your system meets all legal requirements:
- PSSR 2000: We manage your legally required Written Scheme of Examination.
- ISO 8573-1: We help you specify and verify the correct air purity for your application.
- BCAS Food Grade Compressed Air Guideline: We ensure your system meets this critical best practice standard for food and beverage applications.
- ATEX & DSEAR: We supply and install certified equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres.
- SECR & ESOS: Our energy audits provide the data you need for mandatory carbon reporting.
Your Partner for Manufacturing Excellence
An optimised, reliable, and compliant compressed air system is not simply a machine; it’s a strategy. We deliver this through unrivalled technical expertise with a focus on solving your operational problems.
Are you looking to move from making your compressed air pay for itself to an actual business advantage?
Call our team of experts today to schedule a site survey or compressed air audit.
Receive a customised quote tailored to your specific manufacturing needs.
In times of need, we have 24/7 emergency support to reduce downtime.
Want to know more about our manufacturing service?
Contact us