Gilkes has been supplying engine cooling pumps since the 1940s. Over this time, we have built a reputation for manufacturing high-performance pumps for diesel and gas engine cooling applications across a range of industrial sectors.
We have delivered over 350,000 pumps primarily to the USA, Europe, and the UK, serving leading high horsepower engine manufacturers including Caterpillar, Cummins, Progress Rail and Wabtec Corporation.
Each project follows a specific development process that we work with alongside our engine builder partners to meet their market and application challenges.
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
Our design process follows our Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process. This is a structured approach used to plan, develop and validate products that consistently meet customer requirements. It provides a clear framework for managing risk, maintaining quality standards and ensuring reliable project delivery.
At its core, APQP supports open and consistent communication between all project stakeholders. It outlines the key actions needed throughout the product development lifecycle to meet both performance expectations and compliance requirements.
By applying this process, we help ensure that every aspect of the design, manufacture and supply meets agreed criteria, on time and to specification. The success of this approach relies on strong leadership involvement and a clear commitment to providing the right resources from the outset. Through APQP, we aim to deliver products that meet expectations not just at launch, but across their entire service life.
Our APQP Process follows five specific stages:
In this phase, planning centres on building a clear understanding of customer requirements. The focus is on gathering accurate information to define what the product must deliver and identifying the key characteristics needed to meet those expectations.
This stage focuses on completing the product design and confirming its suitability for both application and manufacture. A full feasibility assessment is carried out to ensure the design can meet customer requirements while aligning with production capabilities and constraints.
At this stage, attention shifts to defining how the product will be manufactured. The aim is to develop a practical, repeatable process that meets specification, delivers consistent quality, and operates within cost targets. It must also be adaptable to production volumes and support efficient workflow across all operations.
This stage is where both the product and the manufacturing process are verified. Through controlled builds and testing, we confirm that the process is capable and the product performs as intended. This phase includes the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), where customer approval is based on submitted samples and supporting documentation. Any required refinements are implemented before progressing to full production.
The final phase involves launching into full production. Focus areas include process control, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement. By this stage, the aim is to deliver stable, consistent output with reduced variation, improved product quality, and high levels of delivery performance. The outcome is a reliable product backed by strong operational support and long-term customer satisfaction.
Capabilities
CFD
- Optimise performance within engine space claim
- Efficiency improvements
- Accurate hydraulic loads found which can be used in further pump development
FEA
- Eliminate mechanical structural failures (shaft and bodies)
- Includes fatigue analysis
- Modal analysis to ensure natural frequencies aren’t excited
- Optimise shaft geometry to reduce size and cost
Forensic analysis
- Root Cause Analysis to eliminate failure modes
- Lessons Learnt fed back into designs
- Understanding of conditions of wear / life of component
- Sealing expertise
We’re with you for every step of the way
Speak to a pump specialist about maintaining performance for the long term.
