Dubai-based Precision Engineering and Trading (Pet), which deals in vacuum pumps, looks forward with greater optimism as the construction industry finds newer applications for vacuum pumps.

The company, which has a state-of-the-art repair and test facility at Jebel Ali, offers a variety of new and refurbished vacuum pump brands. It not only promotes the benefits of new pumps but also gives customers the choice and convenience of a reconditioned pump, putting it in a unique position in the vacuum pump business.
Pet also offers other vacuum-related services and equipment such as vacuum pump spares, valves, filters, vacuum hoses and vacuum traps – in fact anything required for vacuum systems.
Pet’s Jebel Ali facility offers a whole range of vacuum services. The facility has a permanently installed 0.6 cu m vacuum chamber for the checking of pumps and has two leak detector machines – including a mobile Alcatel leak detector used to perform all kinds of tests from checking for leaks on Scuba equipment, to proving the integrity of welded joints and from checking a one-way valve to a complete vacuum system.
“All these services are carried out by Pet’s experienced engineers,” says a spokesman for the company. “We also offer advice with regard to the design and selection of vacuum systems. In addition, Pet will give on-site evaluations, upgrade advice and problem diagnoses related to any vacuum query.”
Listing out the applications of the pumps, the spokesman says: “Vacuum technology plays a vital role and can often improve the efficiency of the various manufacturing processes related to the construction industry.
“For instance, rotary vane vacuum pumps find use in dehumidification of bricks during manufacturing. They can also be used in the removal of excessive water vapour from coarse and fine ceramics that will ensure the quality of the finished product.”
In the construction industry, vacuum pumps are used for the treatment of wood where it is used to speed up the drying process. One example is the railway sleepers that need to be dried prior to installation. Tonnes of sleepers are loaded into a large vacuum-sealed chamber; which will then be evacuated using a high volume vacuum pump, he says.
The technology is also used by furniture manufacturers to prematurely age wood and give it the much-sought-after antique appearance.
In the sewage industry, vacuum pumps offer an environmentally-friendly and reliable solution for every problem in the treatment of sewage effluents, such as pressure aeration of settling tanks, dehydration of sewage sludge among others, the spokesman says.
Other processes include thermoforming of plastic materials. Pet has worked with various thermoforming companies producing eye-catching colourful plastic frontage used on many petrol stations throughout the UAE.
Vacuums are also used when lifting and handling cartons, barrels, planks of wood, steel, glass sheets, boards and panels. Vacuum technology is present in so many of today’s different and varied industries and none more so than in the world of glass manufacturing.
Pet actively works with local UAE glass companies, ensuring they have what they need, when they need it.
Says Joy Mukherjee, technical manager of National Finland Auto Glass Company (NFGAC): “We take pride for having pioneered the manufacture of automotive windscreens in the UAE. We are extremely pleased to declare that Pet was resourceful, cooperative and punctual in their endeavor to equip us with suitable vacuum equipment. We are very content with their services and wish them success in all future ventures.”
Pet is also the sole agent for Unicatch pneumatic fastening systems in the Middle East. The company combines superior customer service with skillful technical support and in-house repair capability, which makes it unique in the market.
“Unicatch, a leading brand of moderately-priced pneumatic fastening systems, is a synonym for high quality. It also stands for a wide variety of equally high quality staples, brads and nails,” he says.
These products are available in major hardware stores in the UAE and the company is gradually extending its network. Through this dealer network, Pet is able to offer its customers a high level of after-sales service. At its warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Pet maintains a stock of the entire line of Unicatch fastener tools and an extensive inventory of all popular sizes of staples, brads and nails.
Unicatch is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of pneumatic fastener systems. The ISO 2001 certified factory ensures strict controls from vendors, raw materials, R&D, production to finished products.