When UK malt producer Bairds Malt chose to upgrade the drive system in a crucial element of its operation, it turned to Gibbons to carry out the project.

At Bairds Inverness facility, the existing system for controlling three kiln fans to dry malted barley included a variable speed drive, which, although still operational, had reached an age wherby parts could no longer be sourced.

The decision was made to replac the equipment with a modern ABB drive.

Gibbons took delivery of the 1,120kW low voltage, low harmonic drive, which at 3.5m long and weighing 3.5 tonnes was the largest the company had handled. The engineering team removed its internal modules, making the main unit lighter and easier to transport and install.

The layout of the Bairds site meant the redundant drive had to be hoisted over the plant by crane, with the new ABB drive lifted in via the same route. once the drive was in place, Gibbons engineers reinstalled the modules prior to testing and commissioning.

Bairds Malt has since reported that the drive is functioning perfectly.