10 minute read
Gordon Best, MPANI
FROM THE DESK OF: GORDON BEST, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MPANI
STAY SAFE AND Gordon Best, MPANI PREPARED IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES
That old but well known saying “you never know what’s around the next corner” is probably the best comment to begin this message; no one could ever have imagined the impact that the COVID-19 emergency was going to have.
The shudders it has already sent through families, communities, businesses and supply chains at such speed and with such profound consequences serves to remind us that our interdependent and interconnected world, for all its strengths, remains susceptible to the unexpected and none of us can ever ‘assume supply’. This has underpinned our message to our local Government and key stakeholders for many years and we intend to push it even harder now and when this emergency is finally over. MPANI will continue to raise awareness of the features and benefits of essential and local mineral products and the contribution they make to the economy and our quality of life. Indeed, the consequences of more extreme weather linked to climate change only emphasise the need for increased investment in coastal and river valley protection to reduce the impact on local communities. During recent weeks MPANI has been working closely with our colleagues in other business organisations, with MPA nationally and with a number of Departments that our members supply materials and contracting services to, to ensure that essential supply chains are operating effectively. Through these difficult times the MPAs top priority has been and remains securing and delivering a ‘cash bridge’ solution to protect businesses and jobs. The Chancellor’s package of measures in March, including the “Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme”, has been welcomed by businesses in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
Daily Updates
These are unprecedented and uncertain times and each day is bringing more news, increased uncertainty and making it increasingly difficult to operate business as usual. MPANI has been updating members on a daily basis and we have now a dedicated section on our website devoted to keeping the industry informed and with your permission we will continue to share good information as we receive it. We continue to seek clear, concise and useful advice from the NI Executive and the UK Government to help you navigate your way through this period. We have also been engaging with accreditation and awarding bodies to ensure that members and employees are not inconvenienced due to the impact of COVID-19 particularly in cases where training, assessments and audits deadlines run out during this period of unprecedented difficulty and challenge.
Notable Issues
This message, as I am sure you will understand, is somewhat shorter than previous ones given current priorities and focus of MPANI and our Members. However other notable issues are: 1. We recently submitted our response to the NI Energy Strategy and the call for evidence. 2. We are currently carrying out our third Age Profiling of the Mineral
Products Industry in NI. 3. We will be submitting evidence to the
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee enquiry into the implications of Brexit for NI and the need for unfettered access between NI and GB. 4. We will continue engagement with
HM Treasury and HMRC following announcements in the Budget about the continued freeze of the Aggregates
Levy in the UK and next steps. 5. MPANI, MPA and other construction organisations have already raised concerns over the Governments Budget announcement to scrap the current rebate on red diesel by April 2022. MPANI will be engaging in the proposed consultation that will be taking place on this proposal. 6. The All Island Safety conference will take place on October 14th in the Armagh City Hotel. 7. Unfortunately we, like so many other organisations have had to cancel or postpone events including our AGM and the official launch of our MPANI 2020/21
Industry Journal to later dates tbc.
Can I thank all of you who have supported the publication of the
Journal with articles and advertising.
Please remember the Journal is a two year publication and will have a relevant shelf life over that period.
Stay Safe
Friends, as I have said previously, we are in unprecedented and dangerous times at present so please stay safe, look after your families, your workers and your business. Rest assured as a community and as human beings we will overcome and win this war against this invisible enemy. In concluding, I just want to pay tribute and highlight my admiration to all those essential workers in our community the nurses, doctors, carers, pharmacists, delivery drivers, shop workers, police and the many others who are keeping us safe and at the front line of this war against COVID-19. Please Stay Safe!
investment HUGE INVESTMENTS MADE SINCE TEREX TRUCKS ACQUISITION
Since Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) acquired Terex Trucks in 2014, substantial investments and improvements have been made in its people, processes, products and facilities.
The production site has firmly moved into the twenty-first century with facility investments helping to improve safety, quality and environmental performance. These developments have also improved throughput efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs. Work has been done across the whole facility. New work area compartments across the factory now segregate areas such as fabrication and machining from assembly
and paint. This improves air quality and reduces the risk of contamination. The company’s award-winning lighting project saw it move to the latest LED fittings, in line with its initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. And adds Paul Douglas, Managing Director of Terex Trucks: “Our lighting system is not only more environmentally friendly, but it also offers better light strength, making it easier for our team members to see their work which helps to improve quality. “On top of this, several floors have been re-laid in the factory, making the production line and material movement smoother. The new, brighter floor coatings and materials improve the light reflection and appearance of the production areas. “Our offices have also had a makeover, with new LED lights, efficient heating and cooling systems and neutral
décor to create a nicer environment for our employees to work in.” It is not just the buildings that have been invested in, but also tools. The company has upgraded its assembly digital controlled tools (DC tooling), as well as its digital/visual work standard system. It has invested in new CNC machining and heat treatment capabilities. “All these investments not only enable us to improve the quality of our articulated dump trucks, but also be more energy efficient and improve safety,” says Paul Douglas. “We are continuing to invest and enhance our site. We have recently ordered another new CNC machining centre and two big welding robots to improve the quality, safety and throughput from our fabrication facility. This is the fifth CNC machine we have bought in three years.
“Investing in buildings and tools alone will not create the high levels of quality that we want to provide our customers with, so we are also investing in our people and products. “One example of this is the upgraded TA300 which now incorporates a new transmission which contributes to a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency, as well as enhanced performance and productivity, when compared to the previous model working in the same application. “When it comes to our employees, we are always looking to upskill our team. Our lean business development programs – where shop-floor and office-based employees are being trained in lean methodologies that will help benefit our customers and our business – are a good example of this.”
news Hill Engineering appoints new head of global business development
Specialist UK attachment manufacturer Hill Engineering has appointed a new head of global business development to help capitalise on its innovation pedigree worldwide.
The Newry, County Down-based developer of the award-winning, time-saving Tefra hydraulic quick coupler has recruited John Lines to head up a major drive to further develop its growing global sales business. John has extensive experience in the excavator attachment business and in fact previously worked for Hill Engineering around nine years ago, as sales and marketing director. In that time the company has continued to develop other innovative products and is regarded as a groundbreaking manufacturer of ultra-safe and robust, simpleto-operate attachments. The company now requires a dedicated focus to capitalise on the global interest in Hill’s portfolio, to take it truly international, and to break into new, emerging markets through OEMs and end users. John said: “I am delighted to be back working with the team at Hill. The company has developed hugely since I worked here last and has rightly won awards for both its products and its operations. “Our portfolio is now in great demand in many key global markets and I’ll be working hard to support the efforts of the entire Hill team to satisfy the needs of our worldwide customers and partners.” Since the launch of the popular Tefra coupler some 10 years ago, which set unparalleled standards in quality and safety, Hill Engineering has also developed the Tefra Tilt quick coupler which combines the original Tefra coupler with an HKS extra tilt power actuator to give tilt options up to 180°. Complementing these are the Titan bucket range, which features a double radius design to give superior digging performance due to a low drag factor, and Titan Thumb, which allows for up to 160° of rotation compared to the market average of 120°.
John Lines
New MD Appointed by Temporary Access Solutions Provider
Specialist temporary access solutions provider, TPA, has appointed David Walkden as its new managing director.
Previously director of the roadways business within TPA, David had worked closely over the past two and a half years the core operation whilst supporting the pontoon and rapid rail access businesses. Prior to joining TPA, David gained two decades of experience in the event and infrastructure sectors, most recently spending twelve years in the temporary access industry. He has a BA (Hons) in Business Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM). Paul, who moves to MD at sister company Groundforce said: “This appointment is recognition of David’s contribution and demonstrates a confidence in his ability and capacity to develop the TPA division further.” David said: “I am excited and proud to have this opportunity to lead the team to build on the success of the past few years. TPA is a very strong business with a genuine focus on providing customers with the highest standard of service. I have every confidence that the team will continue to delight our customers and drive the business forward.”
A new state-of-the-art £4 million Wastewater Treatment Works at Maghaberry has been completed.
Coalisland-based Geda Construction was the main contractor for this major scheme supported by Newrybased Water Solutions Ireland (WSI) as M&E / Process engineering sub-contractor, with Belfast-based McAdam Design providing technical and project management support. The NI Water project involved the construction of a new treatment works on the site of the existing works, which will now meet the needs of the growing local population of Maghaberry village and the expansion of the prison. with former MD Paul Donovan to develop
NI Water project team at Maghaberry with the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon. Front row (l-r): Ian Maxwell Department for Infrastructure, Keith Martin, Eamon Magee (both Water Solutions Ireland), Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, Michael McCartney McAdam Design and Jonny Clements Geda Construction. Back Row: NI Water’s Derek Eccles, Patrick Cunningham, Conor McKeown (Water Solutions Ireland), John Coalter Geda Construction, Kieran Grant and David McCullough NI Water.
