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THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE: INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2004 INNOVATION 2008
PAUL
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AUSTON: Past. Present. Future. PAUL HAS LONG UNDERSTOOD THAT CAREFUL SUCCESSION PLANNING IS THE KEY HAVING been at the operational forefront of the Checkmate Group for the entire thirty years of the company’s existence, Paul has long understood that succession planning would be crucial to Checkmate’s on-going development. Those who know Paul will tell you that he never makes a knee jerk decision. Ever since his son Oliver joined the company back in the summer of 2000 he has been acutely aware that the business critical question of ascendancy must be carefully dealt with. Paul explains, “Oliver has taken on, and developed Checkmate’s Safety Division over the last 10 years and has shown, through his sheer hard work and attention to detail, that he can manage people, retain staff and customers; and build the c o m pany prof-
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itability at the same time.” Paul is absolutely sure that the careful mentorship of Oliver, Checkmate’s next Managing Director, is to the benefit of customers and staff alike. “We have been closely monitoring the performance of the management team and are delighted with the results that Oliver has generated over the past few years,’ says Paul. “We have a strong and very knowledgeable board here at Checkmate that has experienced both the good times and the bad.” The board comprises of Paul, as Group Chairman, and a trio of very experienced Non-Executive Directors; Des Crampton, Sir Roger Moate and Richard Price. All of the board members have a vast business acumen coupled with a long-standing emotional attachment to the Checkmate Group. “Oliver will certainly be challenged by the board,” Paul said. “and I know Oliver will be under no illusion that the spotlight will be firmly on him and the decisions he makes. “Checkmate has great
opportunities to grow still further and I’m confident, under Oliver’s leadership, Checkmate has a very bright future indeed.” So is Paul retiring? Far from it! Paul is still very busy with the latest incarnation of the Checkmate brand - Anaconda (see page 6). The Economist New York predicted Anaconda could be the “defining energy product of its generation”. A view endorsed by Paul who has spent the last two years with the SeaEnergy team honing the product and ensuring its long term viability. Paul will also be spending time developing sales for our marine export customers via our JV PWS, his expertise will ensure clients get the same quality and service they expect from Checkmate. Paul summed it all up, “Without question the future looks exceptionally exciting; and with a new Managing Director, new products, new markets to develop and a burgeoning reputation for innovation to cement, I’m sure I’ll be kept busy for a few more years yet!” G R O U P
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A Higher Calibre
CHECK NEWS FROM AROUND THE CHECKMATE GROUP
WHEN our unique 3m Xcalibre fall arrest block was launched in 2007 it was received to worldwide acclaim. Ever since we have been working hard to develop the 10m and 18m versions with even more innovative safety features. The latest additions to the Xcalibre range are available with three different lifeline options. You can now choose from either wire rope, Dyneema fibre rope or polyester webbing, making these new lighter blocks the most versatile we have ever produced. The Xcalibre FABX2 18m Dyneema unit weighs in at just 5.5kgs and has arrest forces as low as 3.5 kN! Other new features include a carry handle and shoulder strap. G R O U P
For further information on the Xcalibre range visit our website or call 01795 580 333.
Ecological thinking
Gain to train WITH an increasing demand for quality height safety training Checkmate has created its own in-house training division. In February 2010 Checkmate completed the purchase of specialist training company Zero G Height Safety. “There were clear business alignments,” explains Oliver Auston, “making the purchase a natural progression for us.” Andy Stock (pictured right), the former proprietor of Zero G, will head up the newly formed HART (Height and Rescue Training). G R O U P
To contact HART call Andy on 01795 580 333.
WELL, we’ve done it again! Checkmate have come up with another international first - the ecoAnchor. The ecoAnchor is the world’s first fully portable water-filled fall arrest anchor. It uses renewable resources in both manufacture and installation making it very eco-friendly. When empty it weighs just 8kg making it easy to manoeuvre into position without the need for additional lifting equipment. Once full it weighs a hefty 430kg. It is extremely easy to use even on roofs with a pitch of up to 15 degrees. G R O U P
For further information on the ecoAnchor visit our website or call 01795 580 333. SAFETY BY DESIGN
INNOVATE SPRING 2010
G R O U P
Safe Landings MANY World War II aircraft have braking systems that use air bags inside the wheels. Checkmate’s Flexible Engineering Division was approached by a War Bird restorer to re-engineer the air bags for the only flying Gloucester Gladiator (pictured below), made famous during the defence of the Mediterranean island of Malta. They had to be heat resistant, accurately made and meet strict Civil Aviation Authority standards. Following this success, parts have now been made for Spitfires and Hurricanes. G R O U P
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A DEC A ENTH DE ON AN USIAS D OLI M ALTH VER A S OUGH T I L USTO L BURN have ten N’S years passe S B Austo d, proud R I G Olive n stil HTLY of the r in l rem his fi contin vestm emb rst
ers sale v ent u was make ividly Check ed kets to a s . m in the it of “It well carav fered its pro future ate opp know an o d furthe o r u t f unity n c m a ts. l l anufa in the r both to de In 200 cture north d velop i 7 vision r M , Oliv -east land,” e s cohe anagi of En “ The h sively ng D r became gthe e e recalls, . C m i r h t ector anage eam a eckm xhilar “and a m r e t o e e ation c f n after o t n q S stantl uickly ing afety. I felt m y look set m “I w for more s will n aking tha v y e s r ynerg e y e t sale l ever l f s p t s u i f o s f i h m e t e s a t e a o r a ve me ge s wa larly Realis ing e .” break ts, particuing ven m rds becom i poten n the o A g r meric focus e cus into tia huge ed.” an ma tome the safety l in the r r O r k e l “ e c i W ver o t ! h u ” mark i e t n O h i g t l s i h i ver . says, ntern t et he s next t al res being That f pent t wo ource arsigh he share produ years focu s w t e d e o d n rk ha g sed on a ct dev t r h b o is ha led us unds paid elopm s t o r Durin e conce more cently di ent . g this ntrate on pr involv vidends becam time m o i o d n a p uct d t g e in s Olive m C e Pr e h n e evelt an ckr p oduct ager d re roject ome rathe Olive for th Mans e r r s ’s a i b n r e ch.” i g Neva R&D Saf sion. once Durin da! m Respo ety Divig a a n g t ain, 2008 taking nsible becam the fo comin ra, Olive devel e the for re. g r to produ opme MD o Check “2010 nt o cts f f both mate f r i o s right m co set to Lifting Check tough ncept throu mate be ou est and gh t S mark r c a hallen f ety. date,” More o th etplac g e to a s e u n e c . n c o e aroun unces “ This ss wa “as w was a d the s just Olive e sta ing pe c great r, o w r r t the r n e e nt up er. “Sa c learn riod f o v ery 60% i slow les - p or me reme f n r roduc o tricky some .” Oliv mber t gro econo m these er key s, “I closel ups,” Olive m ic tim worke D y wit espite r, “pa recall es.” d o h key rtly a s a ers f t h f s a n suppl rom t d C a h r h e e Olive is en ckma sult i- m castin dries r tire t te’s deter g fou arket to sp eam expor m n g i e n r a cialist o e t r engin w d e c i ng si antly harde to desig eers.” gnifiover r than push n y t h This h e e e i n a v r g l e ast tw s.” r o , elped u r ea t even o n ise t furthe ch2009 ew fie he im Oliver real r s l a into d w porta s and R&D a the m of Ch yet m nce launc nd it s e e c k o r o g m r h f C til ing on to heckm ate Lifting er energ e products day. O l drives him y Oli and ate Sa liver i t h e ver i many fety, w s fierc his te nstills ith so am is share ely in d res infect mutu When ource ious. al clie s, i n nts a o t ng th cham nd m e Che pionarckma Olive te bra r rela nd xes a with t hom his fi ancée e and Victo their r i a t wo c Olivia hildre and W n illiam . G R O U P
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VIVA
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CHEC K HAD T MATE’S EX PERTI O TAK SE MA FOR t E A he pa G DE SU A s MBLE t invol ved w three year RE NO I N s Che ith th const V ckma E e USA ONE G ructio AS te ha ’s lar n sch s be Th g e
est e e ima en me. ver p ginati includ a colo rivate v ing t ely tit ssal e l e d n , City Check he two ma terpri real e Cente ssive se, co mate’s state, r Proj glass verin the si right advic Vegas Veer T g e t c e i 7 n t e ’s , 6 the m e i w Strip. s a x c owers a t r r s es of aordi and e absol iddle . p n Check utely n r a o i r t m e f y r t e 5 h t a 0 e fam mate vital w inme 0,000 This of th ous L n found s t ith q distric uare f incred as e d th oot re t calle some ibly out , w esign and emselves t d ail int ex The C at the ith th rystal heigh tremely co ricate bui forefr eir ex planning stretc s . l t m d o s stage ing r plex a afety pertis nt hed to s thr equir r for m e the ve and l oughed ainten equiremen nswers to ry lim and ingen eadin i t t a s s n u i u t g t c ity be o , as ev n e M edge e i safety q t n a e u nagin sure s ams i e ery ex ing neede soluti n the g Dir afe ac posed are e d an on. ector future c e The s s x r s i t o n r of dividu . Olive ite ha with s emely pro al he s som ud to r Auston uch a ight e trul said, presti have FallTe y eno “We gious ch ha been rmou p s r s stru involv o b b ject . O een in usine cture ed ss and ur US st s, c partn we ha rumental i losely e n r v with t e gre secur a hem t ing th hroug tly enjoye i s d wo hout rking the pr oject .” G R O U P
INNOVATE SPRING 2010
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RGY E N E AVE W A D CON RTANT A N A THE IMPO F N O ject A T G e pro N h t E N S r I o f K LOPM PPROACH ING WEE vate investmenintg months. Ltd E V E THE D ERTER IS A THE COM s assessment over the coamte Seaenergytesting e i r m CONV ONE OVER Followingustthconsideredwthhen Chespckent the lasteylsea (pictured T has mod n Tr wave logy, Carbo a techno tenscale MILES conda o a p 5 n s a A :2 d 1 ariou the con o be
v e of d, t Ana e wav K r left) ter in h elope t r a v f e e n v i d n the U co nger fully d y a n g h r u c o nt ne me ks ar r e n Sole n o o a f t t tial ga . r p l a o e wav logic utham y sect arine energ ing So inetiQ M heir refore t d e e u h l t t rt c a s in Q pd Gospo It wa the t sity, h to u r a c f t e o a v k i e t oar Un gh &V gy P cs Lab i the li o ng l i Black t m o n s i a n e n t t Tech men trathodel drody assess and S aenale m he Hy e t c s S w d o e e n t g a a siv f Glas eckm the exten tory o ersities. me Ch ken over a ted r m a r iv entra rt rog rta c n o e p n p U d o e e c r n d e ts has u ile th eaen. The ortly. cly ly tes ergy pt wh iled ate S onths e ear h e h s c m m T y k n y b c o r 2 Che of c t deta ed ast 1 ed ve 009 repor proof delivered pport oned p eliver n e u d s o h IN 2 elivt e b i f ic ill iss sts wer d t o Ltd, e m w r m t o o a p m n r p f y o o e o t & riec , c erg vital t Heb a la surements he Black A s Trust d t e s n r n W o e o c r Ana mea cove Carb ngine ndeulated will a sim of ting e duct an i ters. l r n u e i s v y n n r a ate. e n n co co ity on to co rgy the A ve clim gy viabil e a r f h n e w c o e t tion n s a e a a e e w d m S e Ve i r v o e wave r inf ck & ebsite ent r nur w urthe kmate e this Bla logy. o pend f c o o c e n t r h i h d o h s C i t c F i ha te to us a v er w t conda & Veatch 280. acond plans smen ogeth evelt n s d e A t , s t L 5 793 s r k 2 a o d 2 l p 1 r a e d i Blac 0 r l h init e fo plete n or cal Veatc devic d an y com ess plans i a l f t d o n n e ducte o e c ac its re busin e tim vese An at th ge tial in t and of th n n t n s e e e l t l u r o m a p ing op Ch n T e mak hes to c b Carbo ine Energy a l l o i r app ate w ar e prithe M heckm fort to rais C . s r o . t ef 07 in 20 certed a con
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Northern Rock HAVING been with the Checkmate Group for fifteen years Mark Hesslegrave has seen the good times and the tough times come and go, but is extremely confident that the business is economically in the best shape it has ever been. Mark, a proud Yorkshireman, likes to think of himself as the constant throughout the transition period from father to son in the Auston dynasty. Having recently taken on the mantle of Commercial Director, Mark is delighted that the Auston family will remain in control, providing the direction that is required to continue driving the business forward.
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G R O U P
CHECK NEWS FROM AROUND THE CHECKMATE GROUP
A Wise Move Checkmate Group acquired Avon Rubber plc’s Fabrication Division in October 1999. The business fitted naturally with Checkmate’s desire to break into maritime, defence and industrial products. Since then Checkmate Flexible Engineering division has shown it is a highly effective player in the UK’s specialist engineering sector. As with the rest of the Group innovation is the watchword at the Wiltshire factory and nothing shows this off better than the 2008 Queen’s Award for Innovation for the design and development of the corner fill dunnage bag. G R O U P
To contact Checkmate Flexible Engineering call 01225 705 465.
Cat’s cradle Mark is part of a management team whose ethos, under the leadership of new MD Oliver Auston, is to become even more customer focused than ever before. Mark wholeheartedly agrees with this view saying, “We can focus on exactly what our clients are telling us they need. As architects create evermore complex buildings, which demand evermore innovative solutions for health and safety, we can concentrate our resources on developing the right solutions for our customers”.. To contact Mark email him at mwh@checkmateuk.com or call 01795 580 333.
INNOVATE SPRING 2010
A $30M superyacht called Hemisphere, described as the world’s largest cruising catamaran, arrived in Falmouth recently to have its final fit-out. Checkmate customer Delphini purchased the heavy duty 24 tonne quaplex polyester webslings (pictured above) to lift the 164 tonne hull into dry dock. G R O U P
To contact Checkmate Lifting call 01795 580 333.
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T IT GO
Checkmate, Xcalibre, the Knights Helmet logo, EcoAnchor and HART are all registered trademarks of Checkmate Limited, a company registered in England & Wales. All rights reserved.