As Process Parameters marks its 20th anniversary, our founder and owner Jonathan Apperley reflects on the journey that led to the establishment and growth of the business. In this Q&A session, Jonathan shares insights into the company’s beginnings, its evolution over the years, and his vision for the future.
Q: What made you decide to start the business?
A: Having graduated from university with a degree in mechanical engineering and gained experience in the sensor and process control industry, it felt like a natural progression to leverage my knowledge and expertise. Hence in 2004, I founded Process Parameters in the field of temperature measurement.
Q: How did the business look when it first started?
A: Like many small businesses, we started from home. Quickly venturing into manufacturing, we moved into our rented premises in Maidenhead within the first year. As the demand for temperature sensors increased, we brought in a dedicated team to handle the production.
Q: 13 years ago, you took on distributing Optris products. Why was that?
A: Optris, like us, was a relatively new company, but their cutting-edge technology in infrared temperature measurements and thermal imaging cameras caught my attention. I saw an opportunity to introduce this innovative technology to a broader audience, making it accessible to applications that may have deemed it costly or inaccessible in the past.
Q: How do you think the temperature measurement landscape has changed in the last 20 years?
A: In many ways, the core products remain consistent, with thermocouples and RTDs still in demand. However, the application of infrared technology and, more recently, wireless monitoring systems has revolutionised our approach. It allows us to integrate traditional technologies in novel ways, expanding our capabilities and serving diverse industries.
Q: What have been the biggest learnings you’ve had over the last 20 years?
A: Adaptability is key. It’s essential to evolve the business not only in response to technological advancements but also to meet market demands and expectations. Applying new technology in ways that were unthinkable 20 years ago has been a significant learning curve.
Q: So, what does the future hold for you?
A: We are thrilled about our technical partnerships with Nokeval and Optris. We will soon be launching the new NSnappy range from Nokeval in the UK as their official distributor. This builds on the success of the OVA Monitoring System, bringing a range of new features and benefits. This will be showcased at Food Manfacturing.Live on the 1st of May at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.
We are expecting new products to be released this year in the Xi Series of Thermal Imaging Cameras from Optris, extending capabilities into high-temperature metals. They are also constantly delivering new innovations with their range of Infrared Pyrometers, with a focus on applications in fire prevention, plastics, metals, and more.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Process Parameters. You can call us at 01628 778688 or email us here.