PMF shines the spotlight on Sheffield-based PCL, a company with a long history of manufacturing and distributing tyre inflation and air line products.
Company background
PCL has come a long way from its humble beginnings producing stick tyre pressure gauges at its tiny premises in Sheffield in 1938. Today, the company sits alongside TECALEMIT as a brand of the HORNGROUP, having been bought out by the large German outfit in 2012. This has given PCL more clout in European and global markets, but the company remains proud of its British heritage, continuing to manufacture and distribute its core products in the UK.
Tyre inflators
When it comes to these core products, there can be no doubt that PCL’s top performers are in the form of its handheld tyre inflators and couplings, which many factor customers will already be familiar with. In 2017, the company is looking to promote the benefits of its recently launched digital Airforce MK4 Tyre Inflator, which boasts a raft of features that will make the job of the mechanic more straightforward.
According to PCL, the previous incarnation of this product, the MK3, has been the industry standard in garages for over 25 years, but the MK4 takes things to an entirely new level of development.
The MK4 boasts enhanced features, which are said to make the new gauge faster, more accurate and reliable than its predecessor. Some of the key upgrades are:
- New viewing window – larger window gives 20% greater field of viewing;
- Lighter weight – gauge body weighs 923g, less work strain and easier for repetitive use;
- Biomorphic shape – ergonomic, easier to use and less prone to damage when dropped;
- New valve mechanism – simplified two-stage mechanism design prevents the user having to ‘push’ against full line pressure on deflate, preventing fatigue;
- New piston and seal design – less drag, reduced friction and less movement inertia means no internal corrosion, no sticking and no skewing of accuracy;
- Accuracy standards – tested to over 400,000 cycles at 100% accuracy, meets EC 86/217 and compliant with EN12645:2014.
But PCL isn’t just a one-trick pony, and its product range extends far beyond the MK4. Indeed, the company is looking to use 2017 as a launchpad for growing its range of compressors, while also continuing to supply air tools, hose assemblies and fittings, and a host of useful workshop equipment for the aftermarket.
