Kaeser Compressors is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of air compressors. Founded in 1919, its grew within just a few years to 150 people and today represents some 5,000 employees and is headquartered in Coburg, Germany, which is in northern Bavaria.
The company signature technology is the energy-saving ‘Sigma profile’ of the compressor screw or air-end developed in 1973 for its rotary compressors. In 1998, it launched the ‘Sigma control’ system to computerise its compressors, reducing life cycle costs and improving uptime, and in 2002 successfully miniaturised its air compressor technology in the Mobilair range.
Today, with its offering of portable compressors with electric drive and new environmentally-friendly models in a range of different capacities from 14 kW up to nearly 450 kW, Kaeser presents portable compressed air solutions for every customer’s needs. Speaking for the Middle East is Jawad Kamal, the Mobilair specialist for Dubai at Kaeser Compressors, who comments: “The market is a bit slow as compared to last year due to the state of the oil and gas market in general, but it is picking up in line with our expectations.
“In the last 12 months, we have developed new products especially for region, which we expect to have positive impact on our business and offer the chance to gain more customers. Our core customers are in construction, EPC, oil and gas, mining, telecommunication, drilling and sand blasting companies. Our customer appreciate our product for its reliability, aftersales, German production and appropriate selection for their needs. The products are also energy saving, and we are optimistic as we head towards the Dubai Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”
Kaeser compressors projects have included: the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeriah, JLT, JBR, Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, the STEP project, Dubai and Qatar Metro projects, Suez Canal in Egypt and Al Batinah Expressway in Oman.
At Bauma, Kaeser Compressors’ portable compressed air tower featured M31 models with PE enclosures. To accompany the existing diesel drive versions, the highly successful M27, M31 and M50 portable compressors, Kaeser have now developed electric drive versions of the range. With flow rates of between 2.0 and 5.0m³/min and pressures from 7 to 14 bar, all are equipped with the Sigma Control smart controller.
The electric drive machines can also be used anywhere that has an electrical power supply, and their key advantage, other than being quieter than diesel powered models, is that they are cheaper to operate, since energy and maintenance costs are generally lower. Moreover, they do not produce any emissions and can therefore be used within buildings. With the range Kaeser is the only air compressed provider in the Western Hemisphere to offer road-going portable compressors with electric drive motors.
In its range of diesel driven machines, Kaeser has also introduced the M125, which fills the capacity gap between the M115 and the M130. Delivering a flow rate of 10 m³/min at 12 bar, the M125 is ideal for cable-blowing applications, and 10- and 14-bar versions are also available —all featuring the Sigma Control mobile compressor controller, which lets users know when maintenance is due.
Finally, the new M171 comes equipped with a six-cylinder Deutz engine and provides a compressed air flow rate of 17m³/min at 8.6 bar. With a full tank of fuel, the standard version has an operational weight of under 2.8 tonnes and is therefore relatively light for its size class.
Ajit Kumar, chief executive officer of Swaidan Trading, which represents Kaeser’s Mobilair range of portable air compressors in the UAE notes: “Once a Kaeser user, you’ll never go back to anyone else. It is a fantastic product: absolutely the best-in-class and made completely in Germany.
“The manufacturer is very passionate about what they are doing with the product, and they don’t compromise on their quality and standards. Everything from casting through to finished product is done within their factory.”
Swaidan Trading has most recently begun the distribution of Kaeser’s range of oil-free compressors, of which the M 500-2 is the flagship portable model. Under the hood of the two-stage dry-running rotary screw compressor is the very latest compressed air technology, combining power and versatility with environmentally responsible design.
Setting new standards in the 50m3 class, it delivers compressed air from 4 to 10.3 bar and maximum free air delivery from 38m³/min to 45.8m³/min. The M 500-2 is perfect for leasing companies, because it combines the advantages of a dry-running rotary screw compressor with those of a portable machine, and so can supply top quality compressed air for any application, while remaining portable. The machine’s coating can withstand 300°C.
Kumar notes: “Oil-free compression means cleaner air that normally goes into sensitive industries, like the oil and gas industry, or into a sensitive pharmaceutical environment.”
Kumar sums: “We have between 30% and 35% market share in mobile air compressors, and Kaeser’s local office are actively involved in customer contact, training and support. In industries like oil and gas, that presence of the manufacturer makes a big difference.”
