Dominic Ward talks to Managing Director at HJS Emission Technology – UK, Mark Cooper, about the projects the firm is currently working on
Based in Menden, Germany, and with a UK base in Bracknell, HJS offers SCRT (Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology) solutions to help reduce NOx in major cities.
The company, founded in 1976, takes its name from the initials of its founder – Herman Josef Schulte. It began by selling exhaust components. As legislation changed, the need for catalytic converters in petrol powered cars arose, and by 1992 HJS had a range of solutions available. When the shift towards diesel came, HJS worked firstly on particulate matter reduction, and then latterly NOx reduction. “This is where the core of the business is today,” said Mark Cooper, Managing Director at HJS Emission Technology – UK.
HJS has also won awards for its products, including environment industry awards in Germany as well as winning a MAN Truck and Bus Supplier Award in 2011.
UK involvement
HJS came to the UK to cater for the first phases of the London Low Emission Zone, retrofitting particulate matter systems for trucks, buses and coaches. Since then, the technology has evolved, and with a need to clean up urban air quality, so too has the focus of the business. HJS has also received capital from various UK funding initiatives.[wlm_nonmember][…]
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The company has grown steadily in terms of the engineering team and support, and it is now on the brink of completing a move from its current base in Bracknell to Swindon – something which as Managing Director for the UK business, Mark will oversee.
Recently promoted to Managing Director, Mark’s role is varied. He has aspects of project management and supporting staff within the business, but also building and strengthening customer relationships – something which comes as second nature to Mark, thanks to his background in technical sales.
HJS is Transport for London (TfL) approved, and is currently installing SCRT systems for a number of operators across the capital. Mark said that he’s confident that HJS will receive a considerable percentage of 5,000 to 6,000 buses in London, and added that HJS is also focusing on nationwide initiates.
Mark enthused: “We’re Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) approved, which essentially means our systems are compliant for Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby.”
Explained that the Department for Transport (DfT) is releasing £30m in funding to support initiatives, which will be staggered over a number of years, Mark added: “Our major focus is harnessing a share of that money, and this will enhance our continued development into the other areas of the UK.
“We work with many of the main operators and this is an emerging picture currently as we are waiting for the funding results to come from the DfT. At the moment we are waiting to see where this funding will be allocated.”
A strong OEM business
Mark explained that the core business of HJS is supplying several large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and that aspect provides HJS with a “stable business.”
He continued: “The retrofit market is historically rather unpredictable – you can have extremely busy periods followed by a dip and our OEM business provides us with stability during these periods.”
The German base averages at around 450 people, but Mark said that can go up as high as 550 people, “based on current demands which are directly linked to legislation and funding.”
The UK business currently employs 17 people, who are involved in sales, marketing, administration, project management and technical support, but the business also works closely with two prominent installation partners.
Mark said that HJS is keen to monitor the progress of Brexit as it develops: “We are currently monitoring the situation and will take the steps necessary to minimise any impact on our business. We are totally committed to the UK market and we have some ambitious expansion plans. We will continue that commitment by ensuring that our prices are as competitive as possible.
“Of course, we are concerned about trade agreements and how that’s going to transpire. However, we will continue to invest. We are a key part of the UK marketplace and we will be for the foreseeable future.
“For me, it’s ensuring that we continue to supply the UK whilst minimising any trade disadvantage.”
Looking ahead
Mark also said another part of his role is focused on market development, adding “one of the emerging markets is Scotland, which is coming on really quite quickly, and I’m heavily involved in developing that market.”
Although LEZs in Scotland are not yet implemented, Mark said it is key to make operators and authorities aware of the HJS brand and what technology is available. He added that Glasgow has an “ambitious” emission reduction plan, which is said to be in place by 2019. As part of this, Mark said HJS will be supplying SCRT systems to Glasgow, as well as other cities such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Mark continued by saying HJS has been working with a producer of hybrid electric diesel vehicles on a project, adding: “I would say on and off road pollution abatement systems, UK major towns and cities – wherever there are emissions problems, or an air quality management area, there is something that can be done.
“Nationwide support is a huge key to what we offer. We have our own technical support team and one of our major installers provides support.” Mark also commented that “the UK also benefits from additional engineering support from Germany which can be on-site very quickly.”
“We’re manufacturers, we’re designers, we’re engineers, we’re scientists, we’re fabricators, and we’re technicians,” said Mark. “We’re a proud German manufacturing company, so we like to say that you can expect the typical German quality from our products. It’s the strong technical background and the strong manufacturing background that really sets our products ahead of the rest.”[/wlm_ismember]
