In this new feature, Steven Horder President, shares his perspective on tribology, what truly differentiates PCS Instruments, and why the company’s expansion into the United States is a natural next step in its evolution.

‘Tribology is quite literally everywhere. It describes the interaction between surfaces moving relative to one another, encompassing friction, lubrication, and wear. These principles govern traction between train wheels and rails, grip in footwear, braking systems, and the efficiency of gearboxes. Losses in mechanical systems due to friction have always been a critical design factor for engineers. While often unseen, we all experience the benefits of tribology through better fuel efficiency, longer-range electric vehicles, improved power generation, and reduced failures in systems such as wind turbines. The cumulative work of engineers and scientists worldwide has had an enormously positive effect on both traditional and alternative fuels.

This depth of impact is exactly why PCS Instruments exists. What differentiates PCS, in my view, comes down to three core strengths. The first is the quality of our instrumentation systems that are repeatable, reliable, and built to last. The second is our deliberate focus on delivering the best possible test: instruments that are flexible where needed, but always purpose-built to do one job exceptionally well. The third is our commitment to customers, which runs through the entire business from delivery to in-lab support and expert advice.

Trust in this industry is built slowly, over many years of positive interactions. It comes from solving problems, addressing issues when something goes wrong, and simply delivering on time. At PCS, we take pride in being part of the engineering and scientific community. That means listening carefully, understanding our customers’ challenges, sharing our experience, and striving to be the kind of company we would want to work with ourselves.

For many years, we have supported tribology research and development in the United States from our UK base, building strong relationships along the way. Establishing a dedicated US presence allows us to build on that work locally. By operating in the same time zone, visiting customers more regularly, and having a team on the ground, we can strengthen

partnerships, support development more closely, and respond faster to questions or challenges.

Looking ahead, I remain excited by how much potential still exists within tribology itself. When I explain what I do, people are often surprised they have never heard the term yet immediately recognise its universal impact. In many ways, we have only scratched the surface of what tribology can contribute and the areas where it can add value. As markets evolve, particularly in electrification and sustainability, balancing innovation with reliability becomes increasingly complex. There is no simple answer; It requires constant attention and prioritisation.

This is where PCS adds real value. By helping customers make faster, more confident decisions through robust test methods and accurate results, we support them in staying ahead of emerging challenges and developing new solutions. With more than 35 years of experience in tribology research, PCS can be a meaningful resource to organisations working at the forefront of engineering.

Leading a highly technical, expert-led organisation means maintaining clarity of direction while encouraging challenge and innovation. My role is to set clear short- and long-term goals for the business, foster a culture of development, question assumptions to ensure the best decisions are made, and, above all, keep the customer at the heart of everything we do.

What motivates me personally is the reputation PCS has built. For a company of its size, we have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading engineering organisations and that is something I find both rare and deeply rewarding. As we continue to grow our presence in the United States and beyond, our ambition is simple: build on what works, stay close to our customers, and contribute meaningfully to the advances they are creating.’