A Tilbury-based business has been recognized for its latest technological innovation.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, announced last month that Delta's SEI Industries is both the regional and national 2011 Innovation Insights winner for new technology based on its Bulk Aviation Transport Tank (BATT) product.
The award committee noted the BATT is the world's first and most advanced collapsible, double-walled, baffled tank that lets users safely carry bulk fuel to remote sites via aircraft.
"The BATT allows these operators to eliminate fuel drums and cut fuel hauling costs in half by flying fuel in then folding up the BATT to free up usable space for back haul cargo. It provides a huge savings and it's a lot less harmful to the environment," said Paul Reichard, remote site division manager for SEI Industries Ltd.
The BATT took a number of months to develop and was first deployed in 2010 for law enforcement in Colombia, the company noted.
SEI Industries is the first and only company to receive Transport Canada approval for this type of tank and that it's now focused on expanding its range of models as well as gaining approval from the FAA and ICAO to bring the BATT to the rest of the world.
Despite the cycling industry's new "fit-first" approach to bike sales,
Delta's Bicycle Fit Works is the only place in the province that cyclists can access the top equipment for the job - a world class Dynamic Fit Unit (DFU) developed by Guru Cycles Inc. of Quebec.
Bicycle Fit Works is one of just six retailers in Canada where cyclists can book a fitting on a Guru DFU. There are three locations in Alberta and one each in Quebec and Ontario.
According to fit specialist Rob Wright, "fit-first" is the cutting-edge way to buy a high-end road bike which makes the Guru DFU at Bicycle Fit Works a hot commodity for weekend road warriors, competitive cyclists and triathletes in the Lower Mainland and across B.C.
The Guru DFU is a computerized, robotic-assisted bicycle fitting system. It works by manipulating the rider's position while pedalling. As the rider watches a monitor to view his or her power, heart rate and cadence, the software and graphic user interface allow the fit technician to make micro-adjustments in millimetres to the seat and handlebars.
Since the machine is automated, the rider does not have to jump off and on the bicycle while adjustments are being made. The machine has a drive train, motors and actuators that allow these micro-adjustments to be made in real time while the rider is pedalling, with the goal of quickly and efficiently maximizing a cyclist's efficiency, power and comfort.
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When asked if this kind of fitting is valuable for a recreational cyclist, Wright said, "It doesn't really matter how much you ride. How well your bike fits can mean the difference between comfort and pain, fast and slow, safe and unsafe."
Cyclists can book a fitting at the Bicycle Fit Works studio by calling 604-937-5447 or by visiting www.bicyclefitworks.com.
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The Delta Chamber of Commerce announced it has a new marketing and events manager.
Jane Green joined the business organization this week.
"Jane will be working with our board, members and staff to learn more about how the Delta Chamber can meet the changing needs of our members," the chamber stated on its website. "She will also be working with our members and other businesses to determine how we can serve the growth, development and needs of many more businesses throughout Delta."
She will also be organizing various types of events to provide networking and learning opportunities for members and the business community.
Green has experience as the founder and executive director of New Media BC, a non-profit industry association, as well as a communications director for a Yaletown real estate development company and as a radio producer.
