Fast & Fluid Management is an innovator within the tinting and mixing industries, with a diverse portfolio of dispensers, mixers, shakers and software. Managing Director Filipe Oliveira da Silva explained what is required to keep Fast & Fluid at the forefront of the industry, in conversation with Phil Nicholls.
ased in the Netherlands, Fast & Fluid Management is the global market leader in the field of paint dispensers, paint mixers and shakers. This position is maintained through a dedication t o innovation. Earlier this year, at the European Coatings Show 2023, Fast & Fluid announced the Tintelligence TM unified tinting solutions.
“Tintelligence is an ecosystem of seamlessly integrated state-of-the-art tinting equipment and advanced digital applications, giving one experience enterprise-wide,” Managing Director Filipe Oliveira da Silva explained. “It empowers tinting stakeholders with smart technology and insightful data to drive their business to new levels of operational and commercial performance.”
The foundation of the company goes back to 1985 when Harbil International was founded in Sassenheim. Two years later it joined forces with Miller in the USA, resulting in the creation of Fluid Management. In 2002, the Italian company Fast SpA united
with Fluid Management Europe to form Fast & Fluid Management. Subsequently, the company expanded steadily to become the number one world manufacturer of colourant dispensers for architectural paints. As part of the IDEX Corporation (a S&P500 listed company), Fast & Fluid operates worldwide, serving global customers.
B“We have a long history of innovation in the tinting industry,” Mr Oliveira da Silva said. “Our portfolio includes a diverse range of dispensers, mixers and shakers, and software to suit different applications. We are recognised and trusted for our high quality, robust and reliable tinting equipment.”
Fast & Fluid focuses on delivering its vision and mission: ‘Colourful solutions, reliable to the core in every tinting location in the world.’
Evolving market
“Serving our customers is at the heart of what we do. We have the biggest R&D team in the industry to continuously drive in novation,” Mr Oliveira da Silva continued. “Fast & Fluid works very closely with customers to understand their needs and gain valuable insights.”
This dedication to innovation is required for Fast & Fluid to hold its leading position in a dynamic industry. Alongside the worldwide trend towards urbanisation and sustainability, customers have i ncreased expectation for the digitalisation of companies.
Fast & Fluid’s forthcoming Tintelligence TM is a solution to meet the current challenges and future needs of the market. The Tintelligence TM equipment is designed to be smart, connected, and intuitive to enable simple, accurate and sustainable tinting. It will reduce downtime, optimise the tinting cycle and increase operator efficiency. The advanced suite of applications seamlessly integrates
Tintelligence will drive business value:
•Real-time sales analytics to respond faster to market trends
• One-click software or database updates
• Maximised fleet uptime with remote monitoring and predictive alerts
• In-built diagnostics and remote troubleshooting
• Quick resolution, increased accuracy and minimised mis-tints for improved sustainability
• Enhanced in-store experiences with quick and hassle-free order fulfilment
with the equipment, enabling smarter colour management and faster data-driven business decisions.
“During the coming years, our product portfolio will evolve by merging into our Tintelligence ecosystem,” Mr Oliveira da Silva said. “This will provide our customers with the best of both worlds: highly reliable equipment with advanced digital applications.”
Another innovative product from Fast & Fluid is the Biocide-Free Spray Solution. This has been specifically designed to be environmentally friendly and durable. The spray protects up to 24 vulnerable colourants and is completely userfriendly. Deploying unique spraying lids that condition the headspace of the canisters, providing thorough protection, Fast & Fluid’s programmable spray system allows customers to tailor the
i nterval and duration of the disinfecting spray to optimise the conditioning of colorants, ensuring they remain vibrant and healthy for longer. The system provides clear fault feedback with LEDs and acoustic signals, which makes it easier to identify any issues that may arise. With a large 5L spray liquid container that lasts up to
12 months, this spray solution is also a cost-effective way to protect colorant systems.
“We also have a solution for existing machines,” Mr Oliveira da Silva explained. “Our special retrofit kit that is available for our HA180, HA480 and HA450 machines
will do the job. This retrofit kit makes it easy for a client to upgrade their current machine and enjoy the benefits of our Spray Solution.”
A strong tint of green Sustainability is another major trend shaping every industry. Colorant developments are now driven by regulations and the growing environmental awareness of the end users. Fast & Fluid Management is committed to playing a vital role in this field, continuously innovating its product portfolio by adding suitable and reliable sustainable alternatives.
“We’re proud to announce that in 2022, we focused on reducing our carbon footprint through multiple initiatives on energy consumption and waste reduction,”
Mr da Silva said. “The results speak for themselves: we achieved a five per cent decrease in energy consumption and a thirteen per cent decrease in waste generated per unit produced.
“As we look forward, we’re committed to continuing our focus on reducing our carbon footprint. We are currently assessing the opportunity to install solar panels on our factories and further reduce paper consumption as part of the production process. And of course, we are using every opportunity along the way to reduce our carbon footprint even more.”
Fast & Fluid expects a similar commitment from its suppliers, in terms of environmental protection and sustainability. A large part of
this expectation revolves around packaging, which should be minimal and reusable. Suppliers are also encouraged to deploy recycled material for plastic components whenever feasible.
A talented future
Recent years have brought an unusual set of challenges to global business, many of which will not go away as things evolve. “Nowadays, the focus is less on supply chain issues, but more on finding and keeping talent,” Mr Oliveira da Silva added. “This is a key priority within Fast & Fluid Management.
“We are lucky that we can leverage the fact that we are part of IDEX Corporation which provides us with the guidelines and a wide pool of talented people that can help us grow the business together with our customers.”
Looking to the future, innovation remains at the core of Fast & Fluid’s activities and that is something the company will not change. Fast & Fluid aims to maintain its market-leading position by continuing to serve customers in a way that helps clients grow their business.
Innovation and enthusiasm at Fast & Fluid is present throughout the company. Mr Oliveira da Silva concluded by sharing what makes him eager to walk into the office each morning: “To me, that is creating impact! And by that, I mean engaging and creating great teams with an obsessive orientation towards solving customers’ problems by focusing on the things that matter the most.”
