New sponsor of the IRTE Skills Challenge Filtration Control Limited (FCL) joins the competition for its 10th anniversary after an eventful year developing a product that makes travel during the pandemic safer.
A leading distributor and manufacturer of engine filtration technology and components for the commercial vehicle, rail and automotive sectors, FCL joins a growing list of competition sponsors as its new pathogen-eliminating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) Air Filter makes waves around the world.
FCL took two approaches when the pandemic struck: To diversify its existing product range and fast-track the development of products that would be in demand post-pandemic. Hand sanitiser and face masks were mass produced, and a joint project with Bombardier for anti-viral HVAC fi lters – now being used on coaches and buses in cities all over the world – helped combat COVID-19 and maintained FCL revenue.
Stacey Trewin, Group Managing Director, FCL, says: “In March 2020, as the COVID-19 outbreak started to spread across the globe, we turned our attention to measures which could help prevent the spread of the virus. This led to the development and manufacture of the Pathogen Eliminating Particulate Air Filter (PEPA-F) which is 99.8% effective against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). PEPA-F provides an intelligent upgrade to an existing HVAC filter.”
As testing week approaches and the coach and bus sector focuses its attention on the technician and apprentice competition for the 10th time, FCL believes that the Skills Challenge’s purpose of uniting the industry by raising standards will keep it relevant for years to come.
Stacey adds: “We are delighted to be a sponsor for the 10th anniversary of the IRTE Skills Challenge. The competition has been so successful because it promotes best practice, in a competitive setting, to motivate and encourage the best of the industry’s apprentices and technicians to demonstrate their skills.”
