The Cost of Change

It is fairly evident that in today’s competitive business markets that the adapt-or-die approach is fast becoming the norm. While we all like to be able to take some time to adapt to and enjoy new gadgets and technologies that actually make our lives better, the cost to businesses for this continuous evolution of new ideas is significant.

Manufacturing a product that has any significant use of newer technologies is initially expensive in the developmental stages but those costs are usually covered when the product starts selling in large quantities. Over time the R&D costs are adsorbed into the operational side and then profit ensues. This time cycle is normally 1.5 to 3 years and can be longer or shorter depending upon the speed of adaption by the market. However, the cost to most companies is not just the R& D alone, the rapid changes in technological development put a mental and physical strain on employees and management.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based, commercial grade air filtration systems since 1985. PAS started out marketing just one system, the 600H. By 1991 it had three system and by 2002 it was manufacturing six different HEPA based units. The last unit developed by PAS was in 2005/2006. This was the new HPS portable unit that is fast becoming a very popular HEPA system for the commercial market.  The HPS is a good example of how changes in technology make it more difficult today to develop products quickly and inexpensively.

With the exception of the HPS units, all the other PAS systems utilize the newer ECM, variable speed drive 120/240 v, 50/60 Hz motors. The HPS units are standard induction motors rated  120 volt/ 60 Hz. Although it is possible to get them in 220 volt, 50 Hz as this motors are made by EBM out of Germany. The use of this motor eliminated the need for a separate blower system as the EBM models couple the motor with the blower or fan. The induction EFM unit is the only PAS system not using the variable speed drive motors, but the EBM units are very powerful and they are all four-speed motors for air flow adjustment.

Now, PAS is working on another version of the HPS unit to be used in a specific medical injection process. The upside is that we can use all the same component pieces for this new system as are used in the current model. The downside is the housing has to be re-designed and modified to allow a positive flow unit, meaning the motor/blower has to be turned around and the inlet and discharge filters will require special slots for easy insertion and removal.  The controls will be simple, just an on/off switch and speed control switch and a 12 foot long, hospital grade power cord. Unlike the other PAS units, this new HPS version will be fabricated from aluminum to reduce the weight and it will be painted white rather than the standard beige paint now used for all the units.

The cost of making this re-designed version of the HPS system comes in two flavors, dollars for the engineering and fabrication of one unit ( prototype) and time and energy spent both finding and working with companies that can reverse engineer and re-design the system all at one time. While the market potential for this unit is big, there is no guarantee this system will fly off the shelves. It may take a year or longer for the market needs to identify the systems capabilities. It is, however, the cost of doing business in this highly competitive and technologically adaptive market.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on out toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

Open Post