Scottish Engineering Award Best Enterprise - Interview with Chris Harvey, General Manager of Biogas China and Japan

Dialogue Scotland "is a newly launched interview program by" Scottish Business Investment "that focuses on the local development of bilateral enterprises between Scotland and China. Through interviews with representatives of Scottish enterprises expanding their business in China, Chinese investors investing in Scotland, experts and opinion KOLs in various fields, we bring you rich and diverse real case sharing of Scottish business investment.

Beke Gas, which recently won the title of "Scottish Engineering Award - Best Company of the Year", is one of the earliest imported generator brands to enter the Chinese market. As the first dialogue company of "Dialogue Scotland", Chris Harvey, General Manager of Biogas China and Japan, was interviewed and shared Biogas's 12 year development process and experience in China.

Innovative genes create brand culture

Bike Gas is a company dedicated to reform and innovation, researching and manufacturing high-performance gas generators for analytical laboratories, and providing corresponding service support. Bike Gas has over 20 years of rich experience in developing nitrogen solutions for LC-MS systems. In 2022, Beike Gas entered its 12th year in China. Over the past 12 years, with the continuous upgrading of laboratory equipment in China, Bick has also gainedDevelopment opportunities. As one of the earliest imported generator brands to enter the Chinese market, Beike is committed to providing one-stop gas solutions for Chinese customers, winning the favor of many consumers with high-quality products and services.

Being nominated for the Scottish Engineering Award is an honor in itself, and winning the 'Company of the Year' award is a recognition for us. Being recognized by industry colleagues and the Scottish Engineering Association is a testament to our brandProof of innovative spirit,It is also the best proof of the local innovative culture that has continued for many years. ”

In 2020, Beike Gas won the "UK Business Award - Annual UK Exporter Award"

In addition to the honor of the Scottish Engineering Award, in2020 Shanghai International Import ExpoIn China, the Precision series generator developed by Bick Gas ensures high performance while ensuring laboratory safety and reducing energy consumption, and has received praise from the British Trade Ambassador to China. Prior to this, the 2020 British Business Awards hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai had already been awarded by the British Ambassador to China, Ms. Wu Ruolan, to Bick GasAnnual UK Exporter Award.

Linking the Chinese market to Asia for efficient cooperation and win-win outcomes

The Chinese market is of great significance to PEAK's strategic development.Since establishing an office in China in 2010,Located in Zhangjiang High tech Park, ShanghaiThe Shanghai factory is a manufacturing facility of Biogas located outside of the UK,Recently officially put into use.With the localization of British designed gas generators in China, the delivery time of products has been greatly shortened,Further narrowing the distance between Beike Gas and Chinese customers.

The rapid development of the business has enabled Bike Gas to grow from an initial team of three employees to a professional team of nearly a hundred people,There are over 15000 gas generators operating day and night nationwide,To safeguard the safe use of gas for Chinese users.

Bike Gas has grown to a certain scale, and the environmental impact of transporting our products to various parts of the world has made us realize that localized production can have a positive impact on our ESG activities and the values we convey.

We have chosen Shanghai, where we have a high-quality and efficient supply chain network, highly skilled workforce, and a strong support team from Bike. Shanghai is not only the headquarters of Beike Gas in China, but also our locationThe largest market in Asia.”

In China, the attitude towards foreign investment is open and cooperative, so the entire project process is fast and efficient. Zhangjiang Group is an excellent partner, and we are very grateful for their support to Biogas during this period.

In the early stages of its establishment, Shanghai Zhangjiang High tech Park provided an ideal production site for immediate entry. We have established a team in Shanghai to work with experts from our headquarters in Scotland.

Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased risks in the global supply chainProving that valuing the Shanghai factory project is a wise move.”

Frontier technology expands industries, technological innovation meets new demands

As an old user of Biogas Generator, Tsinghua University Pharmaceutical Technology Center has maintained a good cooperative relationship for many years.

The PKPD platform is a central sub platform equipped with multiple chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instruments, providing analysis of various drug-related components. According to platform engineer Mr. Wang Weihua, as early as 10 years ago when the center was being built, the first mass spectrometer purchased by the platform was equipped with a PEAK nitrogen generator.Small size, low noise, high filtering levelThe unanimous evaluation of PEAK nitrogen generator by experimental personnel.

Outside of the core laboratory market, we also have some successful cases in other industries. For example, nitrogen is often used in the food production process,We have already submitted to ZHIMING in ChinaBottled water and beverage manufacturers provide nitrogen generators.

During the food production process and final packaging operation, nitrogen will block oxygen and moisture to extend the shelf life of the product. The initial investment cost of a nitrogen generator may be slightly higher, but in the long run,Good value for money.

Another successful field is the emerging laboratory diamond industry, where the basic principle is to send ultra-high purity hydrogen gas into a plasma chamber with a carbon source, and under certain conditions, diamonds will be synthesized. Compared to traditional gas cylinders, hydrogen generators provide uninterrupted gas supply and very stable high-purity hydrogen gas. ”

Research and development is an important component of the corporate culture of Beike Gas, and continuously striving to improve our products and services has always been our goal

Recently, product development improvements include upgrading the star product Genius XE nitrogen generator to further enhance product performance; And a specially developed ultra small hydrogen generator for gas chromatography to meet the needs of Chinese customers.

Our product strategy always starts with the needs of our customers. We constantly think about what high-quality materials to use,Provide cost-effective solutionsTo produce the best results. ”

Government associations provide multi-party assistance to help during special times

Chris Harvey was interviewed at the 2020 Shanghai International Import Expo

Image source: SDI

The past two years have been a challenge for everyone. In China, Beike Gas is fortunate to be able to conduct business relatively normally, despite facing many restrictions on cross-border activities due to border restrictions in various countries, and the supply chain has also been affected to some extent. The cost of air transportation and tight flight capacity may be the biggest challenge we have faced since the epidemic, so we have adopted more sea transportation to alleviate the negative impact of rising air transportation costs

1. The Chinese government implements favorable policies to assist and support

From April 2020 to the end of 2020,The Chinese government has provided effective policy supportBy exempting some of the social security contributions that companies need to pay, I believe this has effectively helped companies alleviate pressure during difficult times. The Chinese economy has shown strong resilience during this period, and our business has also successfully overcome this difficult period. ”

2. Changes in business strategy

"The COVID-19 occurred at a critical stage when we were preparing to build a factory. At that time, we had just signed the lease of the production site and were preparing the corresponding production equipment. The epidemic led to extremely difficult business travel. However, we solved these problems by implementing online and video training and regular online meetings, and successfully put the factory into production as planned."

3. The Scottish International Development Agency builds trade bridges

Overall, with the help of the Chinese government and the Scottish International Development Agency, we have been able to conduct our business normally and reduce the impact of the epidemic on our customers and employees. The Scottish International Development Agency has provided us with great assistance in establishing our subsidiary in China, and now our factory has been successfully put into operation. SDI's cooperation with us will also continue, providing us with more support and information sharing. ”

Mr. Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation of Scotland, and his delegation visited Peak China

Continuing the brand values and taking on corporate responsibility

1. Respect employees' lives and create a relaxed corporate environment

The values of Bick gas revolve aroundOur employees, our customers, and our servicesAnd constructed. In a relaxed and friendly corporate environment, our top priority is to provide satisfactory service to our customers. Such values embody and protect our corporate culture, which in turn shapes our brand image and sets us apart. ”

2. Continuing social responsibility and cultivating sustainable awareness

In 2021, after the flood in Henan, we immediately provided on-site assistance and technical support to our customers. Safety is no small matter, and if customers have any questions about equipment use or safety, we insist on having our technical team conduct on-site testing before customers use the instruments.Although the matter may be small, the responsibility is significant.

Bick has also been working hard to integrate commercial activitiesReduced impact on the environment.Firstly, using a Beck gas generator itself will reduce the fuel consumption caused by transportation of traditional gas cylinders. Secondly, we have been exploring sustainable product packaging and materials. Small changes like using digital invoices can actually have a significant impact when accumulated.

We also give back to our employeesCultivate environmental awareness.For example, going to Nanhuizui Guanhai Park to carry out a beach cleaning plan, throughGarbage collection, classification, weighing, and data recording,Assist the sanitation department in clearing blind spots, while promoting the significance of beach cleaning and protecting the beach environment to the public, and raising awareness of marine environmental protection. We hope to raise everyone's environmental awareness through small efforts, which will permeate our daily work and family life, making sustainable development a concept that we all value