Q&A: Dust Control Environmental (DCE) – Masters in dust extraction
- PWT
- Jan 17
- 8 min read
Established in 2010, Dust Control Environmental (DCE) is the leading independent manufacturer and supplier of dust extraction systems, boasting the largest range of dust collectors available in the UK. In an exclusive interview, we speak to owner/MD Martin Gill about their extensive product range and what sets DCE apart from the competition.
Q: Can you provide an overview of the company’s product range & the industries served?
A: At DCE, we take immense pride in offering one of the most extensive ranges of dust and fume extractors in the UK. We manufacture bag filters and cartridge filters to order, as well as supplying a selection of mist collectors, vacuum systems and welding extraction solutions.
Our products are perfectly suited to a wide range of industries, including woodworking, foundries, in addition to food and beverage manufacturing, to name just a few. Thanks to our in-house design and manufacturing team, we have the flexibility to develop bespoke extraction systems tailored to manage various airborne hazardous particulates and fumes. This adaptability ensures our solutions meet each customer’s specific operational needs, providing the highest levels of safety and efficiency in their work environments.
Q: Your Typhoon, Tornado & Envirojet Dust Collectors are widely recognised in the industry; can you explain what makes these models so popular?
A: The consistent delivery of high-quality products has earned DCE an outstanding reputation. Our units feature a robust structural design with a durable, in-house-applied powder coating finish by our skilled engineering team.
Each dust extractor is precisely tailored to address specific dust and fume particulate control needs, further enhancing their popularity – for example:
• Envirojet W-Series & ECO Range – perfect for fine and fibrous dust, thanks to their efficient bag filters.
• Typhoon Cartridge Dust Extractor – ideal for capturing metal particulates.
This diverse product range allows us to serve various sectors while ensuring each system operates at maximum efficiency for industry-specific requirements. Additionally, our adherence to rigorous industry standards – such as the Safety of Machinery Code of Practice and ATEX regulations – provides customers with confidence in the safety and performance of our systems.
We’re committed to fostering clean and safe working environments, helping clients remain compliant. This commitment is reflected in the positive feedback and case studies we regularly receive from satisfied customers. By discussing their processes with us, clients can trust they’ll be recommended a system that perfectly aligns with their facility’s needs. That’s what makes both our products and customer service so highly regarded!
Q: You’ve just brought out a new Envirojet W-Series Brochure, what sets this unit apart from others offered BY DCE?
A: The DCE Envirojet W-Series is truly one of the jewels in our crown, renowned for its impressive energy-saving features, high performance and integrated waste disposal capabilities. This model excels in controlling fine and fibrous dust, which makes it particularly well-suited for woodworking environments such as kitchen, window and door manufacturers, as well as timber panel and joinery production, for example.
We take pride in developing products that add value for our clients, and the Envirojet W-Series exemplifies this commitment. Equipped with a cascading fan system and our unique E-Performance Monitoring system, it enables precise monitoring of operational extraction points. When certain extraction points aren’t in use, pneumatic control dampers slow down or stop the fans, ensuring extraction only where needed. This can result in up to a 50% energy reduction without compromising system suction pressure – a standout feature compared to other market solutions.
Sustainability and carbon neutrality are top priorities for many leading companies, and we’re well-positioned to support their environmental goals. The Envirojet W-Series offers integrated waste disposal and transport options, enabling businesses to collect, reuse and recycle waste, like wood shavings and chippings, more efficiently. These options range from feeding waste into biomass burners to providing safer and more convenient collection points, such as bulk bags or silos.
Ultimately, the Envirojet W-Series is designed to make processes greener, safer and more efficient, helping businesses achieve both operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
Q: Bespoke solutions are a significant part of DCE’s offerings; could you tell us about your approach to designing & manufacturing these custom-engineered extraction systems?
A: Bespoke solutions are at the heart of DCE’s offerings, and our approach to designing and manufacturing custom-engineered extraction systems is both thorough and client-focused. It begins with a detailed survey and an initial meeting with the client to understand their specific needs – factors like size, media type, position, ducting and the nature of airborne substances requiring control. This consultation allows us to provide valuable recommendations, such as energy-saving systems and waste management options.
Our in-house product designers use advanced AutoCAD and Inventor 3D design software to create detailed 3D images of dust collectors, ducting layouts and waste management schematics. These visualisations facilitate in-depth discussions as to how the system will fit and function in the designated space, allowing for any necessary adjustments prior to manufacturing and installation. This cost-effective process helps address potential issues early on, ensuring a smooth project execution.
We also offer clients the unique option of customising the filter body colour – a feature that’s more significant than it might seem. Whether matching corporate colours, complementing
an existing scheme, or opting for a bold contrast, we accommodate their preferences.
Our dedicated sales, engineering and design teams work collaboratively to deliver the optimal dust extraction system for each client, ensuring every solution is tailored to meet their specific requirements.
Q: In addition to manufacturing, you also handle contracting installations; can you provide insights into the installation process & how it ensures optimal performance for your clients?
A: Our installation process is meticulously managed to ensure optimal performance for our clients. Each project is overseen by a skilled and knowledgeable contract manager who serves as the single point of contact throughout, which ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.
Managing all aspects of the installation – including the provision and manufacture of parts, scheduling, site coordination and liaising with contract machinery providers – can be challenging. However, our contract managers excel at handling these responsibilities, ensuring everything stays on track – although, unfortunately, even they can’t control the weather!
Effective communication is key to a smooth installation process. Having a dedicated contract manager as the sole point of contact helps streamline coordination between all parties involved, which minimises confusion and delays.
At DCE, our commitment goes beyond installation. We commission the newly installed dust extractor to ensure it’s properly fitted and functioning at peak performance. In addition, we offer a range of aftermarket services, including LEV testing, maintenance, repairs and spares.
We also provide a remote monitoring solution – DCE Remote Link – which ensures continuous oversight of the dust collection system’s performance. This advanced feature helps detect potential issues early, enabling planned maintenance and reducing downtime. Our comprehensive approach to installation and post-installation care ensures that our clients’ systems operate efficiently and effectively for years to come.
Q: Your company also supplies a wide variety of spares & consumables; can you tell us more about this service & how it supports your systems’ long-term functionality?
A: Absolutely! Our fantastic Aftermarket Division is dedicated to simplifying our clients’ lives by ensuring their dust extraction (LEV) systems remain compliant and well-maintained at all times.
For Operations and Engineering Managers, as well as Health & Safety Coordinators, juggling LEV compliance and efficiency alongside other responsibilities can be a significant challenge. To ease this burden, we offer DCE maintenance packages tailored to each client’s specific machinery requirements. These packages provide peace of mind by ensuring that LEV testing – a critical component of COSHH and H&S regulatory compliance – is conducted promptly and effectively.
Our P601 and P604 qualified engineers perform these tests, going beyond a simple pass or fail. They provide detailed remedial reports outlining any necessary rectifications if an LEV system doesn’t meet compliance. From these reports, we then prepare a remedial quotation to assist clients with financial planning.
We’re also proud to introduce DCE OneHub, our cloud-based platform launched in October 2024. This innovative tool stores all LEV test reports and related documentation, granting clients 24/7 access to their site-specific information. DCE OneHub is particularly valuable for providing traceable evidence of LEV testing and maintenance, especially during HSE inspections or audits.
Q: With over 100 years’ experience between the DCE team, how does DCE differentiate itself from competitors in the dust & fume extraction industry?
A: With over 100 years of combined experience, the DCE team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the dust and fume extraction industry. This extensive experience is a tremendous asset, allowing us to excel at problem-solving and developing bespoke products and services tailored to clients’ specific needs and requirements.
Our expertise ensures we get things right first time, delivering the most suitable dust and fume extraction systems for a wide range of environments. We take a holistic approach, acting as a one-stop shop for design, installation, repair and maintenance. This comprehensive service builds trust and fosters long-term customer relationships.
In addition, we’re committed to a no-quibble approach when occasional faults or issues arise. Our priority is to resolve these promptly, getting our customers’ operations back up and running with minimal downtime, which ensures smooth and efficient processes.
By combining our deep and thorough expertise, exceptional service and a customer-first philosophy, we strive to stand out from the crowd as a trusted and reliable partner in the dust and fume extraction industry.
Q: Looking to the future, what plans/goals are on DCE’s agenda?
A: As a company, we’re dedicated to continuing our sustainable growth journey. Recent successes have enabled us to expand our workforce, fostering the development of the next generation of experienced team members. We’re also in the process of expanding our office and manufacturing facilities, which will allow us to bring more processes in-house while providing additional space for storage and assembly.
In terms of market expansion, we’re focusing on all sectors, with a particular emphasis on the timber industry, where our expertise in dust extraction systems for wood waste sets us apart. We aim to strengthen our presence in the wood and furniture sectors, including kitchens, windows, doors, and more.
We’re also committed to the ongoing development of energy-saving systems and durable consumables, designed to reduce waste sent to landfill. Additionally, DCE is excited to introduce new products to the range, such as shredders, briquetters and biomass burners. These innovations will help businesses optimise the reuse and recycling of waste products, contributing to a greener and more sustainable operational future. In a nutshell, our future plans are centred on growth, sustainability and innovation, ensuring we continue to meet clients’ evolving environmental and operational needs.
Q: How does DCE ensure sustainability/environmental responsibility in its products & operations?
A: As a company, our commitment to sustainable and environmentally sound practices has been solidified with the recent ISO 14001 UKAS certification. This achievement demonstrates our dedication to continual improvement in environmental performance through greater efficiency and waste reduction.
We’re constantly working to enhance our products’ performance and durability, helping to lower energy consumption and reduce maintenance requirements. These efforts support our clients in achieving their carbon footprint and environmental goals. By integrating sustainable practices and prioritising product innovation, we ensure that our operations and offerings remain environmentally responsible while delivering long-term value to our clients.
Q: For those interested in learning more or partnering with DCE, what is the best way to get in touch?
A: The new DCE website offers a wealth of easily navigable information on our products, services and case studies. It also features a helpful resource section, including FAQs and details about regulations and best practices for maintaining and testing dust extraction systems.
More importantly, our Sales Engineers and Aftermarket Team are happy to take calls, respond to emails, and arrange site visits to assess requirements as well as providing expert advice.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Dust Control Environmental (DCE) Ltd
T: 01924 335 500
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