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ISSUE 420
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MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE
M M MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE
THE BLOODHOUND PROJECT the 1000 mph supercar cannon technologies Global leader in enclosure solutions
ISSUE 420
s u l P accrofab ALSO INSIDE... darlow lloyd & sons 50 years of success
4Hydro Industries 4Precolor Sales 4Railtex
Class leading manufacturer of precision engineered parts
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Comment editor’s
ISSUE 420
www.memuk.org
e
ic t c a r P t s e B g in t Celebra
What is the point of industry awards? Anyone who disregards them as pointless and unproductive underestimates the power of incentivising performance and rewarding best practice on the operational quality of an organisation. Industry-supported awards breed success just as much as they celebrate it. This month we saw the Manufacturing Institute retain its sponsorship of Works Management’s Manufacturing Champions Awards. This prestigious event looks at the people within manufacturing who are finding new ways to power the sector. Specifically targeted at personal achievement, the awards seek to highlight the efforts of those individuals helping UK business “take on the world”. The fact the Manufacturing Institute is supporting the event gives further credibility to the awards with the institute voicing its delight at retaining its sponsorship deal. The Manufacturing Institute is a leading industry charity and training provider, and works with more than 10,000 businesses while educating 50,000 manufacturers and delivering upwards of £1.1bn of cost benefits. Expansion of manufacturing facilities, adaptation and implementation in the latest technology, and investment in skills is so vital to today’s industry. Celebrating performance drives further growth and development; it’s vital in our support of UK manufacturing and our determination to successfully compete internationally. Indeed, while we’re now out of the bleak recessionary years of the late 2000s, the climate still demands we reward best practice, the value of working together and finding the right solutions for customers. At the core of all this is people. Without them, businesses wouldn’t be able to progress. Importantly, while we often see leaders coming from top management roles, the Manufacturing Champions come from all areas of a company. High performance, leadership and innovation may appear from those who might not have enjoyed formal management training. These awards are therefore even more important as they celebrate best practice from the top down and the bottom up.
Daniel Stephens Contributing Editor
Magazine Manager Daniel Beardsley Feature Managers Tom Waite Elliott Jenkinson Kyle Joyce Bradley Drake Editor Ciaran Jarosz Contributing Editor Daniel Stephens Journalists Jeff Senior Hayley Toth Alice Rose Batley Art Editor Stacey Brewer Designers Carla Taylor Sam Dickinson Production Vicki Lindsay Lisa Pollinger Accounts Nick Charalambous Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine is published by: Trafalgar Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor Turnbridge Mills, Quay Street, Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD1 6QT Tel: 01484 437314
Manufacturing and Engineering magazine is published by Trafalgar Publishing Ltd. Company registered in England & Wales. All material is the copyright of Trafalgar Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Manufacturing and Engineering magazine is the property of Trafalgar Publishing Ltd. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or part without the written permission of a director of Trafalgar Publishing Ltd. Liability: while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequence arising from it. In the case of company or product reviews or comments, these have been based upon the true and honest opinion of the Editor at the time of going to press.
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Contents ISSUE 420
www.memuk.org
AEROSPACE 6 SHARING IN GROWTH
Aerospace contract wins hit £350 million
8 ACCROFAB Innovation is vital
MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING 14 SPEEDBOARD From strength to strength
16 BEST OF BRITISH Manufacturing at its best
18 HYDRO INDUSTRIES Improving lives, one drop at a time
26 TRB LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES
Lightweight solutions
28 MNB PRECISION
World class CNC precison engineering
30 ATCM
Premier tank and cistern manufacturers
32 PRECOLOR SALES Celebrating 40 years in business
38 TIGER TURF
The forefront of innovation & design
40 DARLOW LLOYD & SONS
56 BLOODHOUND PROJECT 6 SHARING IN GROWTH
50 years of success
54 HAY HAMPERS
Four guiding principles for great value hampers
56 BLOODHOUND PROJECT The 1000mph supercar
60 KENT BRUSHES The world’s finest brushes
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING 62 MADE IN YORKSHIRE Buy local think global
64 CELSIUS PROJECTS Expertise, insight, perspective
66 VIVARAIL
Delivering local rail solutions
40 DARLOW LLOYD & SONS
RAIL 68 RAILTEX
Railtex 2015 is a success
72 BERNSTEIN Efficiency meets safety
74 CANNON TECHNOLOGIES Global leader in enclosure solutions
HEALTH & SAFETY 80 HEALTH & SAFETY Easier said than done?
82 IOSH
The heart of health and safety
ALSO... 4 UPDATE
The latest news from the industry.
8 ACCROFAB
78 SENNHEISER
Celebrating 70 years of sound
84 THE LAST WORD Self-drive cars, fact not fiction
66 VIVARAIL
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update Network Rail confirms review of CP5 plan Following decades of under investment, Britain is now investing record amounts in our railway to ensure it remains fit for purpose as well as able to accommodate the record number of trains. Britain now has the safest passenger network in Europe and the railway asset reliability is the best it has ever been, even whilst passenger numbers have doubled in the last 20 years. However, Network Rail faces some stretching targets in Control Period 5 (CP5, 2014-19) and the pace of improvement is behind expectations. Several regulatory targets were missed and following slippages in the major projects portfolio, chief executive Mark
Carne has given a frank assessment to the Department of Transport of what will be achievable in the remaining four years. "During my first year in the job I have looked closely at every aspect of our business and it has become clear that Network Rail signed up to highly ambitious fiveyear targets set by the regulator. Based on historic improvements from a low base, we were overly optimistic about the capacity of our company and our supplier base to step up several gears in order to achieve the plan, especially given the complexities of a network that is at full capacity much of the time." Mark Carne, chief executive,
Battery-powered train wins industry award Last Friday (26/6), the first battery-powered train to run on Britain’s rail network in more than half a century was recognised with its first industry award, picking up the prize for best “cross industry project” at the 2015 Railway Industry Innovation Awards hosted by Modern Railways at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, London. The Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU) was recognised as a cross-industry collaboration between RSSB, Network Rail, Abellio Greater Anglia, Bombardier and the Department for Transport, which saw the concept of a batterypowered train successfully trialled over a five-week period in
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passenger service. News of the award can be found on the Bombardier website. Providing an update on the battery-powered train project since initial trials between Harwich International and Manningtree, Network Rail’s principal engineer James Ambrose added: “We are continuing to rigorously test the IPEMU battery technology at Bombardier's test facility in Mannheim, Germany, and are working very closely with the DfT and our partners, looking at plans for safety and implementation. There’s been global interest in this project and we aim to provide a detailed, technical report at the end of the year.”
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Network Rail On the big items like electrification and capital projects, it was always part of the regulatory process that the costs and programme would be revisited as projects became properly defined. Unfortunately when these reviews have occurred, the more detailed project costs have been higher than assumed at the earliest stages of definition. As a result, the total enhancement programme cost now exceeds the available five-year budget. Some projects are also delayed beyond the original dates. "I recognise that these delays will cause disappointment for some passengers for which I can only apologise. I welcome the fact that
the Transport Secretary has asked Sir Peter Hendy to work with me and my team to develop proposals for re-planning the programme over the next few months." Mark Carne, chief executive, Network Rail Given the change in outlook compared to the regulatory settlement, Network Rail's remuneration committee has decided that no bonuses should be paid to its executive directors for 2014/15. Their bonus entitlement had already been reduced from a maximum of 160% of salary to 20% shortly after Mark Carne joined as chief executive last year. Mr Carne has previously announced that he would forego this year’s bonus.
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update EARLIER END TO SUBSIDIES FOR NEW UK ONSHORE WIND FARMS New onshore wind farms will be excluded from a subsidy scheme from 1 April 2016, a year earlier than expected. There will be a grace period for projects which already have planning permission, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said. Energy firms had been facing an end to subsidies in 2017. The funding for the subsidy comes from the Renewables Obligation, which is funded by levies added to household fuel bills. After the announcement was made, Fergus Ewing, Scottish minister for business, energy and tourism and member of the Scottish parliament, said he had
warned the UK government that the decision could be the subject of a judicial review. The move was part of a manifesto commitment by the Conservative party ahead of the general election in May. "We are driving forward our commitment to end new onshore wind subsidies and give local communities the final say over any new wind farms," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd. "Onshore wind is an important part of our energy mix and we now have enough subsidised projects in the pipeline to meet our renewable energy commitments," she said.
THORIUM POWER IS THE SAFER FUTURE Nuclear power has long been a contentious topic. It generates huge amounts of electricity with zero carbon emissions, and thus is held up as a solution to global energy woes. But it also entails several risks, including weapons development, meltdown, and the hazards of disposing of its waste products. But those risks and benefits all pertain to a very specific kind of nuclear energy: nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium isotopes. There’s another kind of nuclear energy that’s been waiting in the wings for decades – and it may just demand a recalibration of our thoughts on nuclear power. Nuclear fission using thorium is easily within our reach, and,
compared with conventional nuclear energy, the risks are considerably lower Thorium’s Story Ideas for using thorium have been around since the 1960s, and by 1973 there were proposals for serious, concerted research in the US. But that program fizzled to a halt only a few years later. Why? The answer is nuclear weapons. The 1960s and ’70s were the height of the Cold War and weaponization was the driving force for all nuclear research. Any nuclear research that did not support the US nuclear arsenal was simply not given priority. Conventional nuclear power using a fuel cycle involving uranium-
235 and/or plutonium-239 was seen as killing two birds with one stone: reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, and creating the fuel needed for nuclear bombs. Thorium power, on the other hand, didn’t have military potential. And by decreasing the need for conventional nuclear power, a potentially successful thorium program would have actually been seen as threatening to U.S. interests in the Cold War environment. Today, however, the situation is very different. Rather than wanting to make weapons, many global leaders are worried about proliferating nuclear technology. And that has led several nations to take a closer look at thorium power generation.
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SHARING IN GROWTH
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AEROSPACE CONTRACT WINS HIT £350 MILLION
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UK aerospace supply chain companies are being offered the opportunity to benefit from £1.2 million worth of professional business transformation support. The offer comes from Sharing in Growth (SiG), a government-backed team of experts, who are helping 40 companies to drive productivity and become globally competitive. The first 15 companies on the programme have to date won more than £350 million worth of contracts Companies who meet the qualifying criteria are being invited to a briefing on 29th September at RAF Cosford to hear from companies on the programme about the business benefits. Business minister Anna Soubry was impressed on her visit to Leicestershire to see how SiG is helping high tech manufacturer Winbro win multi-million pound contracts and expand its UK operations. Coalville-based Winbro Group Technologies Ltd, which supplies blue chip companies like Rolls-Royce, GE, Pratt and Whitney, Snecma and Siemens, has won contracts estimated to be worth £88 million since starting on the Region Growth Fund supported SiG programme nine months ago. The company, which designs and produces high technology machining systems and manufactures components for high pressure turbine blades, joined SiG because it wanted to grow its order book, improve operational efficiencies and develop its skilled workforce.
Since then SiG engineers and business gurus AugustaWestland, GE, GM Aerospace have used their expertise to train staff and drive Bombardier, GKN, Rolls-Royce and aerospace, productivity improvements. This has defence and security trade body ADS. enabled Winbro to win new Each intensive SiG programme contracts, maintain 170 starts with an extensive diagjobs and create a dozen nostic assessment to conmore. firm readiness for the proSaid Anna gramme which is then Soubry: “Our longtailored to a company’s term economic growth enablers. plan for the SiG’s cross-funcMidlands is to tional experts tackle make it the engine areas such as lean operfor growth in the ations, manufacturing Winbro Director UK. Growth in processes, purchasing, Andy Lawson advanced manufacturcost modelling and leadering and the skilled jobs it ship. To ensure a sustainable provides is a key part of that and fully integrated transformaplan which is why I’m delighted our tion programme, they also work with partnership with Winbro is producing such delivery partners such as Deloitte, the National great results.” Physical Laboratory, the Institute for Winbro Director Andy Lawson said: “SiG Manufacturing and Industry Forum to provide has allowed us to breakthrough to the next world-class training in leadership, strategy, level. While we have invested in new equip- business planning and performance improvement and facilities, we did not have the ment. Each programme is therefore worth over wherewithal or know-how to invest in our £1 million. people development at the same pace. The Said SiG CEO Andy Page: “The programme is SiG programme is underpinning our growth, truly intensive in line with the scale of the comupskilling our people and making this growth petitive challenge. It is industry designed and sustainable over the long term.” led and so we are already seeing significant UK aerospace suppliers with a turnover of returns on investment with the first tranche of between £10 and £20 million are expected to beneficiaries and are keen to share the benefits benefit most from a four year SiG programme with other UK aerospace suppliers who want to and are being encourage to apply for invitations move from being good to being great.” to the one day briefing. Attendees can discuss Companies seeking an invitation need to with SiG engineers and business gurus how the apply as soon as possible because places are scheme works and why it is being endorsed by limited. Details of the event and SiG are availorganisations such as Airbus, able at www.sig-uk.org.
“SiG has allowed us to breakthrough to the next level”
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AEROSPACE ACCROFAB
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AEROSPACE ACCROFAB
INNOVATION IS
VITAL
accrofab are the class-leading manufacturer of precision engineered parts for the aerospace industry
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Innovation is vital, remarks Nick Willers, Commercial Director of Derby-based Accrofab. The classleading manufacturer of precision-engineered parts to the aerospace industry has established itself at the forefront of UK engineering with the provision of an end-to-end source for all aspects of the production cycle. Established in 1977, Accrofab has a strong foundation of experience and qualification. As a result of offering enduring high standards, the company has been able to successfully expand and branch out into offering a wide range of services, covering everything from laser cutting and machining through to vacuum heat treatment, electro-discharge
machining, welding, brazing, precision sheet metal work, 3D modelling, non-destructive testing, part marking, forming and bending. In recent times, the company has established links with international markets including North America, Japan, South Korea and continental Europe, allowing it to expand its client base and bring its solutions to more and more businesses. “We manufacture parts at all stages of the product life cycle, and we are very much involved in new product introduction, development work and turning new concepts into hardware,” says Nick. “We support our customers through the production phase where they need a globally-competitive source as well as handling the time-sensitive new prod-
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uct introduction business. We are extremely flexible and can take a design from a company and deliver parts on the same day. For this we have received positive feedback for the work we have done.” Indeed, customers have praised Accrofab’s proactive approach, responsiveness and willingness to overcome problems. It is evidence of the company’s commitment to marrying expertise with an ability to implement solutions. “We aim to be the supplier of choice for anyone with a design for something they want to create and which we can make and in such situations we want people to immediately think 'Accrofab'”, remarked Nick. Indeed, as the use of CNC throughout the business continues to increase, recent investment in press brakes has further aided the fabrication process. This has brought with it a number of advantages such as performance efficiency, flexibility and cost savings. It’s the result of its investment in new technologies that Accrofab has maintained its sector-leading market position. Its expertise and experience across a range of manufacturing techniques including sheet metal working, laser cutting, welding and heat treatment, has seen it work with some of the world’s leading aerospace developers, researchers and manufacturers. Accredited to BSEN ISO9001:2008 including AS9100 Rev C and Nadcap (for welding, brazing, vacuum heat treatment, non-destructive testing, laser cutting and EDM), and a preferred supplier to global aerospace brands, Accrofab’s integrated approach saves time, reduces administration and eliminates the risks associated with 10
transferring production. Accrofab also works very closely with its clients. For instance, it employs a collaborative approach during new product introductions to ensure customers can gain the most out of Accrofab’s manufacturing experience, resulting in products optimised for cost-effective production. This ensures a problem-free production phase and quick turnaround. This is only possible because of Accrofab’s extensive capability in precision fabrication and machining, underlined by Nadcap accredited processes. And this is complemented by Accrofab’s after-market business support, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing customers with long term, sustainable solutions that enable them to source high integrity precision fabricated or precision machined components quickly and easily.
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Accrofab works very closely with its clients... it employs a collaborative approach during new product introductions to ensure customers can gain the most out of Accrofab’s manufacturing experience
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“One of our company values is to provide a safe and fulfilling environment for all of our employees and we want to partner with suppliers that share those values”
Typical of Accrofab’s proactive approach to innovation, it has been keen to develop inhouse skills. Through the Sharing in Growth scheme, a multi-million pound programme aimed at helping to deliver supplier development training and tackling barriers to growth, the company has been able to enhance its approach and build upon its capability. “It is a great way of bringing new ideas in and it forces us to take a critical look at our business but it also helps us make decisions on data rather than anecdote,” remarks Nick. “The scheme has brought rigour and discipline to some of our processes which has been very helpful. It has also brought some intellectual challenges on occasion and has done our business a lot of good. The whole premise is to take good businesses and make them great businesses.” This attention to the smallest detail within its internal processes and procedures is also witnessed in Accrofab’s health and safety regime. Indeed, Nick emphasises that the safety of the company’s workforce is paramount, underpinning everything that it sets out to achieve. “We comply with all of the legal requirements but as a business we try to go one step
beyond; we try to be an early adopter of any measures that come in. For our customers we want to be the best supplier; for our staff we want to be the best employer. It is a great place to work.” This extends to its work with suppliers. “One of our company values is to provide a safe and fulfilling environment for all of our employees and we want to partner with suppliers that share those values. The aerospace industry has very specific requirements when it comes to certifications, so we are always working with people who have the correct standards to be able to work in the sector. We also like to work with suppliers over the long term, building sustainable relationships with people who share our company values.” Looking to the future, Accrofab aims to broaden its customer base and continue a theme of steady growth in the current market. “We want people to be able to go forward with Accrofab rather than having to go elsewhere, so we make sure that we have a compelling offer for our customers and that we deliver exactly what they need.”
www.accrofab.co.uk
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING SPEEDBOARD
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Never shying from investments that keep you ahead of manufacturing challenges, the formation of risk-sharing relationships with your customers plus an unwavering Can Do attitude: Speedboard’s three main philosophies result in sustained growth, says Sales & Marketing Director, Nick Fairhead.
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Established in 1983, Speedboard Assembly Services is a Contract Electronics Manufacture (CEM) with a difference. It specialises in serving customers in a variety of high-tech sectors, including Industrial, Defence, Medical, Communications and Security. It offers a broad range of manufacturing services which range from traditional build-to-print through to full lifecycle, including DFM, prototyping, full production, packaging, delivery to end customer, repairs and after sales support. Granted, several other CEMs offer the same services, but how many closed their year-end books 23% up on the previous year? Speedboard did: £9.2m in FY2014/15 compared to £7.5m the year before. And how many CEMs spent in excess of £250,000 on equipment last year? Speedboard did. And how many CEMs are attracting increasing volumes of work back to the UK from the Far East? Speedboard is: the volume of its reshored work doubled last year, and now accounts for about 10% of turnover. Moreover, Speedboard is achieving growth – from existing and new customers – within a total sales market that grew by only 3.9% last year, according to the latest Plimsoll Report. So what is Speedboard doing differently?
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The company’s success is largely attributable to the fact that Speedboard is privatelyowned and that two of its directors are former customers. This enables decisions to be made quickly and decisively when it comes to investing in equipment that will enhance board quality. For instance, in 2014, it was recognised that an up-coming and complex assembly project for a valued customer would benefit from Vapour Phase reflow soldering, and the decision was taken to purchase a Vapour Phase oven. Then, earlier this year, it was recognised that a project for another customer warranted investment in a Selective Soldering line (pictured right). The Vapour Phase oven and Selective Soldering machine, which represent a combined cap-ex in the region of £200,000, complement Speedboard’s other equipment. This includes five SMT lines which, between them,
The company’s success is largely attributable to the fact that Speedboard is privately-owned and that two of its directors are former customers.
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comprise 15 Siemens SiPlace machines. The company also has a dedicated offline prototyping area, with standalone solder paste and pick & place machines, and all the test capabilities you’d expect of a CEM. However, it’s not all about having the right equipment. Customer relations are also at the heart of Speedboard’s success. For instance, Speedboard and its customer Vocality, which specialises in bandwidth optimisation and network interconnectivity solutions, recently established a partnership with virtually unheard of levels of cooperation and openness. Early on in the relationship, Speedboard appraised Vocality’s entire orderreceived-to-goods-shipped lifecycle, identifying how processes could be improved and waste eliminated in order to provide Vocality’s customers with reduced lead-times. Two different Kanban systems were introduced at the CEM’s recommendation plus Speedboard has given Vocality high visibility of its manufac-
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turing costs, on a product-by-product basis, and labour costs against both build and test activities. This gives Vocality better control over its pricing strategy. Both CEM and customer have their respective business objectives, but the mutual levels of trust enable them to focus on the
development of their core capabilities. Or, to put it another way, Vocality is trusting Speedboard to be its virtual shop floor (and keep its processes efficient and reduce costs) and
Speedboard is trusting Vocality to grow its business by developing and selling products. A true win-win. The relationship is producing great results. Also, since the pioneering relationship with Vocality was established, several other customers are now benefiting from the same model. Furthermore, Speedboard anticipates that by the end of its next financial year (June 2016) more than 80% of its income will come through risk-sharing, virtual-shop-floor type arrangements. Indeed, the company firmly believes that today’s ‘standard’ outsourcing arrangements – along with the ‘traditional’ manufacturing processes employed by most CEMs - will increasingly struggle to support customers in serving their markets. Indeed, consider the two properties a product must possess in order to penetrate and hold a market. They are: high quality and good value-for-money. Also, the way in which the product is delivered to the customer must
Another of Speedboard’s beliefs is continuous quality improvement – in terms of both product build and delivery be prompt and professional. It therefore stands to reason that if the manufacture of the product is to be outsourced, the CEM’s services must meet the same requirements. In this respect, Speedboard is getting it right on all counts. Another of Speedboard’s beliefs is continuous quality improvement – in terms of both product build and delivery – and earlier this year it signed up to SC21; the supply chain improvement programme developed and managed by the trade organisation ADS for companies operating in the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. Far from representing a move to focus on just those sectors served by ADS, Speedboard is embracing SC21 to demonstrate and apply its capabilities in all industries where efficiency will give its customers a competitive edge.
www.speedboard.co.uk
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BEST OF BRITISH
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BEST OF BRITISH
MANUFACTURING AT ITS
. t s e B4 Despite the renown dip in manufacturing since the 1970s, where UK manufacturing contributed approximately 25% of GDP, the UK still ranks second globally in the aerospace arena and has seen great prosperity in the automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Manufacturing has always been something that the UK excels at, and this isn't likely to change any time soon. With manufacturing currently account for only a tenth of the British economy, one might think it a bleak picture for the UK manufacturing sector, however reports suggest that British factories are in fact in the midst of a resurgence. In a recent survey it was shown that the balance of manufacturers reporting a rise in domestic sales rose during the second quarter of the year to the highest degree since records actually began in 1989, showing great signs for the future of the industry. It is not, however simply an increase in the number of sales, but an overall change in the economic landscape for the UK manufacturing sector whereupon new markets and new arenas have been located by ingenious manufacturing companies. China, Russia and India have increasingly become more important in the UK exports market, with a great deal of work brought back home from some of the world's most prominent industrial emerging market powers such as China – something that has greatly assisted in supporting the market. So why is there a sudden surge in the mar-
ket? Sources suggest that it is the British reputation for productivity, efficiency and quality which has been opening up new opportunities in the market for reputable manufacturers such as for Future Advanced Manufacture, one of the companies spearheading Britain's manufacturing revival. Craig Peterson, Managing Director of Future AM commented: "We're getting enquiries all the time. Even though we're a little bit more expensive, with the cost of shipping (from China), lead time problems and the quality issues, we're seeing a lot work coming back now.” Toughened by the difficult economic times of late, manufacturers have now begun to claw back lost output and succeed once more. In addition, exports have also improved marginally for the sector and signs of this picking up even further have been recognised, with British manufacturing export order growth outpacing the world average for the 15th month on a row – an unmatched record since global records officially began in 1998. For the automotive industry, there are a number of “Made in Britain” household names which are all equally known for incredible quality, durability and reliability, including: MINI, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Lotus, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover, MG and Vauxhall. Although many of these brands are indeed foreign-owned, there is a reason they are manufactured within the UK, one of the most reputable countries in the world for its solid design, production and quality assessment procedures.
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HYDRO INDUSTRIES
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HYDRO INDUSTRIES
IMPROVING LIVES
ONE DROP AT A TIME Hydro Industries is a water-based technology company developing, designing and operating electro-based solutions for water purification and industrial effluent processing.
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Hydro Industries specialises in water-based technology whilst continually developing, designing and operating electro chemistry-based solutions for water purification and industrial effluent processing. Based in Llangennech, South West Wales, Hydro Industries provides a multitude of services to a global market. The company is a major innovator in the water treatment field and has proven this over time by building up a large range of unparalleled services. Protecting the environment is at the heart of the business, Hydro’s electro-based processes provide a powerful sustainable technology to efficiency process water without the need for liquid chemical dosing or biomass addition.
Hydro Industries have a comprehensive range of services including; Service and support management tailored to client’s requirements, Electrochemical Engineering and Process Design, Environmental legislation management and support, and Laboratory and Product development prototyping. Hydro Industries strives to produce efficient and sustainable treatment methods with a low ecological footprint, maximising productivity and speed. This translates into high yield, low waste solutions for a wide variety of sectors. The company can also offer bespoke treatment solutions where designs can be tailored specifically to clients requirements; this adds a professional and personal service to the company's repertoire.
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HYDRO INDUSTRIES Wayne Preece, CEO of Hydro Industries, commented: “Hydro Industries was formed just over four years ago when I was working in the defence industry. We were looking for solutions to water problems on the front line and found a raw and basic form of technology, I thought that it could be taken somewhere if it had the right backing and resources behind it. “Over the next two or three years we worked hard to create a product that we could take to market and a company that had credibility behind it. The original product is electro chemistry-based technology, this is a very green form of treating water, which helps to reduce the use of chemicals when treating large amounts water. “Our first plan was to create a British success story from an innovative global water technology company. We also wanted to be regarded as a market leader with strong green credentials. We have a list of capabilities that apply to our product. This includes drinking water and waste water management, oil separation and recovery, issues around water in the mining industry, environmental management
“Intelligent Energy are a very successful organisation and we’ve collaborated with them based on their work in India”
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and also mineral and metal recovery.” In March 2014, Hydro Industries announced a collaboration with Intelligent Energy to support the commercialisation of Hydro’s water purification technology across India. As India has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, it is expected that there will be a 40% rise in the need for water over the next decade. The collaboration with Intelligent Energy aims to provide accessible, clean drinking water to regions in need. The technology developed in Wales will be administered to help communities all across India. Wayne enthused: “Intelligent Energy are a
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very successful organisation and we’ve collaborated with them based on their work in India where they are looking to work in power distribution management for Telecom companies. The company has already won thousands of masts to handle the power distribution across India. We were then approached to see if we could turn excess energy into clean drinking water for the local populations. We redesigned our system and made it smaller and we found that we could make around 50-80,000 litres of clean drinking water a day. Around the masts in which the energy comes from there are often populations or communities, so it is a huge ben-
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SDS DRIVES, SUPPORTING HYDRO INDUSTRIES SINCE 2010
W
ith over 10 years’ experience of working alongside the engineers at Hydro Industries, SDS fully understand that the control system is at the heart of any automated process application. With joint collaboration we have helped deliver a modern control solution which provides full local, automatic control together with remote, web-based management of Hydro’s EC100 systems. To this end, we firmly believe that by using a quality external systems integrators, OEM’s can benefit from substantial time and monetary savings. As has been the case with Hydro, where SDS have been able to support with the following; COMMISSIONING SUPPORT IN INDIA DURING SETUP HANDOVER OF PLANT TO THEIR CLIENTS HMI SOFTWARE & PLC SOFTWARE DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING TECHNICAL SUPPORT 24/7 FULL SYSTEM DESIGN & BUILD WITHIN A SPECIFIED 2-WEEK TIMEFRAME.
Formed in 1996 SDS Drives have been designing and building automation systems for over 19 years and have a large installed based both in the UK and across the world. Built upon a firm reputation for innovative and technical excellence and providing the correct control solution. In our near 20 year history we have built a loyal following of customers who understand and appreciate our very unique, honest engineering strategies. We always have the customers’ best interests at heart and we are able to offer control solutions that span the entire value chain without compromising performance or functionality. In 2012 SDS Drives became the First and only Certified Distributor for Parker SSD (formerly Eurotherm Drives) and we added to this in 2015 by becoming the UK’s only certified repair centre for Parker Drives and electromechanical products.
Based in Avonmouth Bristol, we carry a stock holding of over £150K of Parker AC, DC Drives and ancillary equipment, most of which is available on a Same Day or Next Day delivery across the UK – meaning SDS Drives can help minimise process downtime in breakdown situations. At SDS Drives we recognise our unique personality is what sets us apart, we’ll work 1-to-1 with our customer, throughout the project because we believe that this approach is fundamental in creating a collaborative environment which benefits all parties. Our most valuable resource is our experienced engineering team, whom between them specialise in all areas of the motor & process control industry. Together they represent over 100 years of combined expertise, gained by working with OEMs and end users in diverse industries all over the world. We believe that our commitment and professionalism with both our suppliers and customers is the key to building long lasting relationships. This enables us to supply the control solution required within the delivery time specifed, together with continuous product development. Along with software and system design, build installation and commissioning SDS Drives can provide the following services; TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENERGY SAVING SURVEYS IN HOUSE AND ONSITE TRAINING COURSES REPAIRS SYSTEM UPGRADES SDS Drives would like to congratulate Hydro Industries on their continued success and look forward to work closely with them on future projects.
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HYDRO INDUSTRIES efit for them that we can provide clean drinking water. The collaboration has a significant infrastructure plan and it has certainly never been carried out on this kind of scale by any British collaborations before. “We have already seen the benefits of what our work can do in several different communities so far. We plan to implement many more clean water-drinking areas all over India and there is no reason why these methods cannot work in other countries too once the project in India is fully up and running. We have both Welsh and UK government backing behind this collaboration – that’s very important for this sort of project to help get things off the ground.” Hydro Industries is committed to having the best services possible so that it may serve the industry well. It is also dedicated to providing its staff with the best knowledge, training and expertise. To meet these standards as well as carrying out good working practice, the company is a member of several reputable associa-
“We have already seen the benefits of what our work can do in several different communities so far” tions. Wayne explained: “We’re a member of RoSPA and also part of the Welsh Sustainable Development Charter which makes sure that the principles of safe working practice are being carried out. Our company has also passed an audit in order to be part of Achilles, which means we can supply directly to the UK utility market. We are also a member of IMWA, which is a global mining body and we are one of the largest partners of that group. Essentially the group looks for new technologies to solve the huge problem of acid mine drainage which is the second biggest global problem after global warming. Working with various university groups we aim to find strong technologies which could help this cause. “I think that being part of various associations is important as it shows our staff that we care and that we are extremely committed to the company. We are definitely very involved in associations and I think that we operate within
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As the company continues to grow, its success has witnessed it achieve a number of awards. them very well; they are not just a piece of paper that we put on the wall, we get weekly reports from each different association and stay continually involved with them.” As the company continues to grow, its success has witnessed it achieve a number of awards. This includes multiple Welsh-industry accolades in 2014 such as The Fastest Growing Company, The Fastest Growing International Business and The Fastest Growing Business in the Creative and Knowledge Industries. All of which are highly prestigious awards. In addition to these the company also won The Best Technology Award in Sharjah in the Emirates; this award is perhaps the most significant as Hydro Industries were the only British company put forward for an accreditation in that competition. The company has continued to excel and build on its services from the very beginning,
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therefore it now has a whole host of capabilities and definitely has a bright future ahead of it. Wayne added: “We are now approved in the UK to supply to water utility companies and have specialist knowledge in areas such as phosphate removal and recycling back wash water. A lot of water is wasted in the industry as a result of back wash water, we have now proven that we can recycle that water which is a very significant development for us. “We also want to establish ourselves further in the Indian drinking water market as we begin to make collaborations, such as the one with Intelligent Energy. In the UK market we want to build on the investments that we have already made in the utility sector and also continue the research that we have already done. We hope to position ourselves as a back bone supplier to the UK's utility market.” Elsewhere, Hydro Industries is looking to broaden its horizons in future years, expanding out more in the Gulf and the USA. It sees these markets as crucial regions to facilitate growth and hopes to develop long-term relationships similar to those it already enjoys in the UK.
Tel: 01554 821333 www.hydro-industries.co.uk
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING TRB LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES
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For over 60 years, TRB Lightweight Structures has been responsible for the supply of various transport technologies and components across industry sectors. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of lightweight structures which, though dramatically reduced in weight, are not compromised in terms of durability, strength and functioning performance. Such technologies are particularly useful for implementation in the transport industry for there is an ever-present demand for the weight of vehicles to be reduced which, in turn, reduces fuel consumption and costs, thereby generating greater energy efficiency. It is consistently successful and, owing to its longevity, boasts a wealth of industry experience, expertise which will no doubt facilitate its prosperity for another 60 years.
Most renowned for its contribution to the rail service, TRB is a Tier 1 supplier to Europe's primary train builders and supplies various components from structural partitions between carriages to coffee units. This acclaim has been built upon and TRB Lightweight Structures has expanded into multiple markets, now significant in the aerospace, energy, automotive and marine industries. As such, the company has received AS9100 accreditation. This acclaim assesses the quality and risk management undertaken by the company in respect of their aerospace and defence products. Managing Director, Richard Holland, said of the accreditation: “As specialists in the design and engineering of lightweight composite solutions, we enjoy the challenges that the aerospace industry provides. Obtaining AS9100 now allows us to
extend our expertise as an end-to-end service provider further into the heart of this demanding industry, as well as improving our service to existing customers in aerospace and defence.” Holland continued: “In the last 12 months, in addition to putting in place additional composites capabilities, we’ve been on a journey that has seen us implement many improvements across the business to raise quality and drive down costs. A key focus on production efficiency means that we are now able to offer significantly reduced lead times. As a result, we’re currently in the process of negotiating new contracts with a number of aerospace customers and we expect more to come on-board now that we are AS9100 approved.” The company has contributed pioneering design to all three sectors of lightweight structure manufacturing. It produces thermoset and
LIGHTWEIGHT SOLUTIONS TRB DESIGNS, ENGINEERS AND MANUFACTURES HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES
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The company specialises in the design and manufacture of lightweight structures which, though dramatically reduced in weight, are not compromised in terms of durability, strength and functioning performance. thermoplastic composites, sophisticated metals and novel materials, all of which are engineered to be the lightest on the market. Interestingly, TRB has a long history of promising innovation. Its founder, George Newell, codeveloped the revolutionary adhesive, Redux, a product originally put to use in fighter jets during World War II but which has withstood time and continues to be used to today. The company has also collaborated with innovative prototype projects including the inception of the Lightening GT, an all- electric car designed with energy efficiency in mind. The chassis makes use of TRB's lightweight aluminium composites, guaranteeing the super car weighs little over 1 and a half tonnes and yet still maintains the strength and durability of a commercial vehicle. Head of Engineering at Lightening Cars, John Paterson has only positives to say on the experience of the partnership. As he explains, "At all levels TRB Lightweight Structures supported Lightning Cars, from their management teams help with our potential investor visits, to the CAD engineers working so well with our team that they seem to be almost an extension of our design department!"
www.trbls.com
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING MNB PRECISION
WORLD
CLASS 4
Established over 30 years ago, MNB Precision Ltd. is a medium sized company specialising in world class CNC precision machining
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With more than 30 years’ experience, it might be understandable if MNB Precision Ltd was to rest on its laurels, consolidate its position in the market and play it safe. But that isn’t the ethos of this proactive Coventry-based manufacture and precision engineering business. Indeed, a recent move into new premises and over £1.5m of investment is proof MNB has the ambition to compete on the world stage. Already working with global leaders in the oil and gas, power generation, aerospace and rail industries, MNB’s expertise is expected to see it diversify further, extending its portfolio to include the defence and hydraulic sectors among several other markets. Innovation and skill go hand-in-hand within
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the company. They are the key ingredients behind its growth over the years. Its in-house capability sees its expertise extend to CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Jig Boring, Spark Erosion, Wire Erosion, EDM Drilling, Manual Turning/Milling, Grinding, Shot Peening, Thread Cutting, Inspection Services, and NDT. Complemented by a robust and controlled supply chain, the company is confident in its ability to offer a full turnkey solution that is adaptable to each customer’s needs. Indeed, MNB’s engineers will work with customers to explore new concepts and develop ground-breaking manufacturing methods. In fact, the business thrives on taking on the most demanding of CNC turning projects. Driven by a five-year growth plan, MNB has added to its capability following its recent move
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING MNB PRECISION into the new Binns Close factory. Investment has seen the introduction of two new CNC machines a Soraluce FL8000 floor type multi-purpose milling and boring machine with a 8m bed length and a Hartford PRO 3150AG double column CNC vertical machining centre with 4th axis. The company’s 4.2m Zeiss Accura II is particularly worthy of note. It provides outstanding performance where high accuracy and measuring speeds are required. Further benefits can be seen in its tolerance for temperature variations while its modular design allows for ongoing upgrades and enhancement throughout its working life. Optional specifications – such as active and passive scanning, single and multipoint, camera and line scanning sensors - can tailor the technology to multiple applications. Business Development Manager Will Melly says that over the next five years MNB, in addition to undertaking steps to achieve certification to AS9100 and ISO 14001, is capable of becoming a “centre of manufacturing excellence” that provides all customers with a “world class precision engineering service”. Moreover, the business doesn’t see quality as subjective opinion, it’s a measurable, tangible trait. “It differentiates us from our competitors,” says Will. “On-time-in-full and quality are seen as key performance drivers at MNB. Our commitment to delivery of quality products is underpinned by our continued investment in the latest CNC machines and CMM inspection equipment.” This coincides with a collaborative approach. “We recognise the importance in developing new and existing relationships and ensure our products and services always reflect our customer’s values. We are proud to deliver reliable components used worldwide across multiple industry sectors, and our professional and approachable team of experts work closely with customers to achieve a shared goal.”
www.mnbprecision.com Tel: 02476 695959
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING ATCM
PREMIER TANK AND CISTERN MANUFACTURERS The Association of Tanks and Cistern Manufacturers promotes the design and manufacture of water storage and other tank products of the highest quality, encompassing the broadening scope of modern manufacturing.
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In 1994 the Association of Tank and Cistern Manufacturers evolved from the previously established (1969) Plastic Tanks and Cisterns Manufacturing Association to represent more widely all methods and materials employed in the manufacture of water tanks and cisterns. The Association is a grouping of premier manufacturers in the UK and provides a platform for like-minded companies to co-operate and promote with common interest the manufacture of tanks and cistern products conforming to the highest possible standards and is proactive in the promotion of its Members and their products. A critical feature provided by the Association is maintaining high profile representations to and negotiating with Government and other Regulatory Authorities on matters of mutual interest. A driving force has always been the maintenance of high manufacturing and product quality standards, ensuring customers and users of the products receive the optimum of service and life expectancy when their products are in use. In this regard the ATCM Members manufacturing processes are compliant with the
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quality assurance standards BS EN 9000 or 9001 and have been proactive and involved in developing BS and European Product Standards for cold water storage. Namely, Glass Reinforced Plastic Sectional Tanks and One Piece Cisterns to BS EN 13280, Thermoplastic Cisterns to BS 4213 and BS EN 12573 for Domestic and Combined Feed and Expansion use, Steel Sectional Rectangular Tanks to BS 1564 and Steel, Galvanised Steel or Aluminium Sprinkler Water Storage Tanks to Loss Prevention Certification Board (LCP 1276) approval. Additionally, each Member has their Tank and Cistern Products third party approved by the Water Regulations and Advisory Scheme (WRAS) for the use of storing potable water and the Association was instrumental in the development of the WRAS publication No. 904-04 “Cold Water Storage Cisterns – Design Recommendations for Mains Supply Inlets”. A guidance booklet aimed at any water storage user as to design a tank or cistern inlet in compliance with the UK’s Water Regulations. The Association is a means of facilitating co-operation between Members related to the exchange of technical views and product application.
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The ATCM web site (www.atcmtanks.org.uk) is not only a shop window advising of the benefits of using an ATCM Member as a supplier but is the doorway to a store of helpful advice and guidance regarding the features of tanks and cisterns and their application with links to its sister web site “Tank sizing and Air Gap Calculator” (www.airgapcalculator.co.uk) which not only provides a calculator to determine a tanks’ physical dimensions for a given actual storage capacity requirement but also advises on the design / sizing of the Type AB Air Gap and Slot design for main supply inlets protection related to User duty should that safeguard be needed. ATCM Members are knowledgeable and compliant with the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the requirements of BS 6700 (Design, installation, testing and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within buildings and their cartilages) as it affects the application of tanks and cisterns installed within a water supply system. Further advice and guidance on cistern or tank selection is readily available by contacting the ATCM Office by email imcc@atcmtanks.org.uk or by telephone 01291 623634 .
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRECOLOR SALES
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRECOLOR SALES
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS
IN BUSINESS
Precolor Tank Division is part of a privately owned group of companies, and has served the water industry for almost 40 years.
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This year Precolor has reached a milestone. In September, the company, which produces high quality products to serve the water industry, will celebrate 40 years in business. Originally based in Wolverhampton, Precolor has grown substantially as a result of creating long lasting relationships in the industry and providing its customers with reliable solutions they can depend on. Part of a privately owned group, Precolor has specialist knowledge in the water and chemical storage field and has been a family owned business for three generations. With a dedication to hard work and a strong commitment to its clients, the business has established a strong reputation within the industry. The company has been doing very well in recent times so Sharon Barker, General Manager, reflected on where it all began: “The
Company was originally a partnership called Precolor Products that made swimming pools and mannequins. In 1975 the decision was made to form a limited company. As the company expanded bigger premises were needed which resulted in a move to Rose Hill, near Market Drayton. Then in 1979 a final move to our present site in Newport Road, Market Drayton. We are extremely proud of achieving this huge milestone, 40 years is a huge achievement for any Company.” By manufacturing a large range of tanks that vary in size, the company has been able to excel in the current market as the variation of products it offers is quite substantial. Making tanks that are able to hold up to 760,000 litres, the company has products that appeal to a wide range of clients. Sharon stated: “We can manufacture GRP tanks as one piece, semi sectional and fully sectional.”
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRECOLOR SALES Precolor go above and beyond to provide its clients with the finest service possible, this includes creating high quality bespoke products. Precolor have the edge in the industry as its sheer dedication for excellence and popularity of its services. All the goods manufactured by Precolor are hand laid giving a consistent strength. Sharon added: “Our products are still as popular as ever and our quality management system which is ISO9001:2008 approved, ensures we offer excellent services which gives our customers complete satisfaction.” In the last year the company's knowledge and experience in bespoke products has allowed them to push the boundaries of innovation with two major product developments. Sharon spoke about the two major highlights of the past year: “Product development over the previous year has allowed us to manufacture the UK’s tallest rectangular one piece tank standing at an astounding 3.5 metres tall. We also fulfilled a customer’s requirement for a 3 metre tall, open top sectional tank, to be built around an existing test fitting. Both projects were a success and a huge accomplishment for the company.” Precolor has a long history within the water industry as Managing Director, John Lockley was involved in the British Standards for Water Tanks. John was part of a working group that wrote the standards for both the European and British water tank industry. The company's passion for the work it carries out stems from the long history and connections it has to the very foundations of the industry.
In the last year the company's knowledge and experience in bespoke products has allowed them to push the boundaries of innovation
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRECOLOR SALES A crucial part of any business is safety. As legislations are constantly changing Precolor works tirelessly to keep up to date and informed with the latest in health and safety: “Saracen Solutions Ltd are our health and safety representatives and as part of our ISO9001 QMS we constantly review our staff's training records to ensure our employees are fully trained and abreast of all health and safety matters.” Precolor's suppliers have helped the company to achieve 40 years of service: “Over the years we have established good supplier relationships that we believe are important in creating strong associations with long term suppliers. This gives us the peace of mind that we are getting the best service and products available. If we engage new suppliers we assess them as part of our ISO 9001 QMS.”
“Over the years we have established good supplier relationships that we believe are important in creating strong associations with long term suppliers.” Sharon added: “With being 40 years old this year we wanted to thank all of our customers, staff and suppliers so we will be producing a newsletter thanking everyone. “40 years in business is an incredible achievement and our core values of striving for excellence, offering a top quality product and outstanding customer services have sustained us well. For decades we have built a full range of water tanks which are all made by hand. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff and our customers new and old for their support. These are exciting times as look we forward to continuing to serve the water industry for many more years to come. In the future we hope to grow as a company and we also want to continue to push the boundaries of our research and development.”
www.precolortankdivision.co.uk
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING TIGERTURF UK
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TigerTurf UK is a premier manufacturer of synthetic turf surfaces for a range of sectors. Its expertise has seen it develop enduring relationships with clients in the leisure and education sectors in addition to delivering bespoke solutions in both the commercial and domestic markets. The capabilities of TigerTurf UK sees it create synthetic turf surfaces that meet the demanding standards of FIFA, IRB Reg 22, ITF, FIH, GAA and RFL. Independently tested, approved and certified by several world sporting bodies, the quality, performance, safety attributes and realistic appearance of its synthetic turf surfaces are assured.
Recent innovation saw the company announce the launch of a multifunctional and environmentally-friendly synthetic turf system which will reduce the waste accumulated by 3G pitches that come to the end of their natural lives. TenCate Ecocept™ is an innovative new type of porous base specifically developed for synthetic turf playing surfaces. Through a unique combination of recycled materials, Ecocept™ prevents the need for waste materials to go to landfill while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of new pitch installations. The new base layer integrates seamlessly with all TigerTurf synthetic products with the additional benefit of a load bearing capacity designed to reduce or eliminate the need for a
conventional thick layer of crushed stone. The Ecocept™ porous base also boasts capillary action, meaning it has superior lateral drainage capabilities so that costly trenched drainage below the field is no longer needed. Crucially, the innovative new system offers cradle to cradle recyclability, with up to 90 per cent of the base layer made from otherwise landfilled products such as end of life waste plastics and a rubber crumb infill. This has the potential to save as much as 140 tonnes from landfill for each full-size pitch installed. Paul Langford, Managing Director at TigerTurf UK said, “We’re thrilled to be delivering a closed-loop solution to an increasingly important issue within the industry, namely the
THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION & DESIGN TigerTurf sports and landscape synthetic surfaces perform consistently and look natural, in any climate
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traceability of materials and what happens to surfaces after they are recycled. Ecocept will reduce our waste stream and provide a new purpose for the end of life surfaces which would otherwise end up in a landfill, without compromising on performance. “Almost equally important to us is that Ecocept is a fantastic and versatile product in its own right, continuing our determination to offer turf products that reduce and prevent injury and have the least physical impact on sportsman’s performance. “Research and development is at the heart of everything we do and it’s fantastic to be able to demonstrate this commitment with the launch of our innovative new system.” The news of the new product comes shortly after TigerTurf UK achieved 'RIBA-approved' status for one of its 'Continued Professional Development' (CPD) sessions, aimed at architects looking to learn more about the implementation of artificial sports surfaces. This new accreditation means that the CPD session: 'Synthetic grass in the modern game', has now been assessed and approved as conforming to guidelines set by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and has become part of its Core Curriculum. Paul said, “As one of the only manufacturers of artificial turf to have offered these sessions, we are proud to have worked closely with the RIBA for a number of years. Achieving RIBA-approval for this CPD represents our continued commitment to providing architects and construction professionals with the latest information and developments in the artificial turf industry."
www.tigerturf.com Tel: 01299 253 966
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING DARLOW LLOYD & SONS
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING DARLOW LLOYD & SONS
50 YEARS OF SUCCESS darlow lloyd & sons is an Award Winning company specialising in Industrial Waste Management and Asset Recycling Initiatives
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Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd (DLS), which celebrates 50 years in business in 2015, has enjoyed significant growth in the last decade. The workforce has tripled, turnover has increased from £4m to £12m, and the business has witnessed expansion into new markets and territories across the UK. It has also established an international presence. Founded in 1965 by Darlow and Janice Lloyd, the business has remained true to its core values. An emphasis on putting the client first, building long-term relationships and maintaining a strong, passionate and highly skilled workforce has proven to be the cornerstone to the business’s enduring success. Certainly, the company’s family values are still prevalent and continue to govern its proactive strategy towards the services it provides. “We work with our customers to identify their needs and to develop specific solutions to fit within our customers’ operational requirements. The solutions are often a combination
of our proven capabilities and innovative services,” explains Commercial Director Paul Knott. For the waste management, asset recycling and environmental sectors, DLS provides a wide range of innovative services and plant. Its specialist capabilities have allowed it to create bespoke, tailored solutions for clients. “Our customers are able to generate greater business value by outsourcing to our reliable and diverse capabilities. This allows them to focus on daily extraction, downstream processing and other core business activities.” DLS holds a leading market position in terms of its ability to service unique customer needs, and to adapt in line with changing industry and customer requirements. This is complemented by a focus on creating value for DLS clients. Over the term of a contract the business will constantly seek ways to add value to the customer’s operations while investigating ways it can exceed expectation within the contract or look for opportunities to do more with lower costs.
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“The experience, innovation and problem solving skills of our team, attained over the years, have helped us to win many repeat contracts and since 1986 we have been working closely with Tata Steel UK Ltd at both Port Talbot and Llanwern Steelworks handling landfill and developing zero waste processes,” enthuses Paul. Indeed, DLS has held the Industrial Waste Management contract for Tata since 1986. Services include all aspects of recording and reporting waste tonnages to the customs and excise for landfill taxation, waste deposition, landfill construction, restoration and monitoring. A recent project took place in India for Tata Steel. Tata’s Indian operations draw upon its greatest strength as one of the lowest cost producers of steel in the world. The capacity expansion at Jamshedpur has been an important growth project and will help strengthen the product portfolio in India while rebalancing steelmaking capacities across the Group. DLS provided the design and the equipment which included material pre-conditioning/demetaling screens, a three-stage attritional wash process, conveyors, an electrolytic coagulation water recycling process and emulsion separator, 6.6kv transformer, L.V substation and a
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machine control centre comprising of a series of electrical control panels and a H.M.I (Human Machine Interface) display screen. DLS also organised and arranged for the shipment of the process equipment into India, as well as supplying the necessary engineers to oversee the installation, commissioning, training and 12-month supervision of the project. The benefits of DLS’ work were widespread for Tata Steel. Utilising the company’s mill scale de-oiling process enabled Tata to recycle in excess of 100,000 tonnes of mill scale in the first year as an iron ore supplement valued in the region of £65/tonne. This surpassed Tata’s production and quality specifications. DLS also works with a number of other blue chip companies including Lafarge Tarmac, Rockwool, Hargreaves Industrial services and Balfour Beatty, and has established links as a subcontractor with Network Rail. “We are a single source solutions provider,” remarks Paul. “From collection of industrial and commercial waste, to the management of waste and the recycling processes of retrieving value from waste, Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd will handle every aspect of industrial waste management.” Some industrial waste management providers claim to support and deliver value to
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“We are a single source solutions provider, From collection of industrial and commercial waste, to the management of waste and the recycling processes of retrieving value from waste, Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd will handle every aspect of industrial waste management.”
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING DARLOW LLOYD & SONS the customer under the "Zero Waste" banner but most only have one or two solutions to support this principle. DLS, on the other hand, works closely with the Environmental Agency and within European Directive requirements to offer the complete industrial waste management solution using the company’s proven fivepoint strategy plan towards true "Zero Waste". This includes patented binders for sludge recycle and reuse, bi-product upgrading (Millscale), waste/aggregate recycling, landfill management (including transfer sorting station management and landfill site construction and mining), and water recycling. Within each strategy there are multiple processes to recover, reclaim and recycle assets, which provide a complete solution to nearly all industrial waste streams and, when combined, have helped to save more than £25m for clients. Most recently, DLS has partnered with specialist cement manufacturer Cenin Ltd to provide a new service to the construction, recycling and civil engineering industries. DLS Soil Stabilisation provides a long history of innovative and effective engineering solutions, a time served and dedicated workforce, and a comprehensive plant resource with Cenins classleading low carbon manufacturing processes to provide cutting edge solutions to many problems. This includes wet, waterlogged sites, where material is deemed unsuitable for reuse, the importation of quarried aggregates, dealing with contaminated land and logistical nightmares involved with muck-away and the add-on cost of landfill tax.
Most recently, DLS has partnered with specialist cement manufacturer Cenin Ltd to provide a new service to the construction, recycling and civil engineering industries.
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“We have vast experience of working in a range of poor ground from soft clays, silty alluvials and contaminated made ground. Through working with Cenin and their state of the art laboratory facilities, we have the ability to provide engineered solutions for the most complex environmental or geotechnical problems,” says Paul. Typical end uses for re-engineered material include CBR Bulk Fill, CBR Capping replacement, and CBR Sub-base replacement. These products have the potential for use in addition to typical earthworks and pavement construction in areas such as drying stockpiles to make them suitable for screening. They can also be used for piling mats, crane pads, temporary access tracks and winter working platforms. With the ability to work as a main contractor and carry out enabling works on a new site including demolition, earthworks and civils, as a subcontractor carrying out ground engineering works on an existing site or even supplying complete turnkey treatment solutions, DLS can be relied upon to provide the answer to clients’ ground engineering problems. The company has also begun to work with-
in the emerging energy sector with the likes of G2 and Lightsource. For example, G2 Energy was contracted by its client, a wind farm developer, to provide EPC services on a handful of 500kW single wind turbine projects within the same locality in Yorkshire. The project involved upgrading existing access, installing new access, foundation works, substation construction and new HV cabling to the point of connection. G2 Energy approached DLS to carry out enabling works comprising the construction of the access roads and crane pads to four sites, which the company carried out using soil stabilisation. The subgrade material along the route of the new road and crane pad was stabilised using an ultra low carbon binder from Cenin Cement and a layer of Type 1 was pushed out to act as the running surface. This Type 1 layer was then mixed with cement to provide the strength characteristics required by the cranes during the turbine erection works. “Using soil stabilisation on this project enabled G2 to re-engineer the existing material on site to provide an enhanced strength to the
road and crane pad through stabilisation,” remarks Paul. “This meant that the amount of aggregate required to be brought in to site was significantly reduced, along with all associated vehicle movements. “The vast in house plant and labour resource of DLS along with our own transport services enable us to operate nationally and means that we can react to our clients’ needs very quickly.”
“Through working with Cenin and their state of the art laboratory facilities, we have the ability to provide engineered solutions for the most complex environmental or geotechnical problems”
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING DARLOW LLOYD & SONS Also for G2, DLS carried out a large amount of trench excavation into which G2 subsequently laid specialist earth cable to assist with the electrical requirements of the turbines. Despite carrying out a number of trenching projects using “normal” excavation machinery to the satisfaction of G2, DLS wanted to look at a different way of doing the works in order to provide further savings to the client. As a highly experienced drainage contractor, the staff at DLS have a wealth of experience in trenched and trenchless pipe and cable installation and it was proposed to G2 that time and costs savings may be made if the earth cable works could be carried out with one of DLS’ specialist trenching machines. This would enable the trenches to be excavated and cable laid in one pass. Trials were carried out through a variety of soil types including rock and these showed that the use of this technique would be beneficial. G2 immediately instructed DLS to carry out earth cabling works to two of its live sites.
DLS carried out a large amount of trench excavation into which G2 subsequently laid specialist earth cable to assist with the electrical requirements of the turbines.
“Using Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd to carry out the installation of cables such as for earth matting provided G2 with an extremely fast and efficient way of carrying out this portion of their works. Trenches can be excavated, cable laid and backfilled very quickly and with minimal disturbance compared to other methods when using our specialist machinery and experience. The trenching equipment is mounted on a road-going tractor unit and is therefore highly mobile and cost effective to transport to site,” explains Paul. Elsewhere for the energy sector, DLS continues to work with Lightsource Renewable Energy. Lightsource owns, operates and maintains the largest amount of solar installations in the UK and a large percentage of its assets comprise ground mounted PV installations, known as “Solar Farms” which are situated in rural locations. Lightsource approached DLS to carry out vegetation management on a number of its live generating sites across the UK comprising flail mowing, strimming and hedge cutting works, in and around the panels, substations and inverters. DLS mobilised a team to carry out the works to an agreed schedule working from one region to the next during 2014. The works were carried out using a range of equipment such as strimmers, tractormounted mowers and self-propelled mowers, all of which were transported from site to site by the company’s own transport to ensure complete flexibility and the most productivity. “Using Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd to carry out the vegetation management works provided Lightsource with one point of contact for their sites despite their location, significantly reducing subcontractor interfaces. As a long
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING DARLOW LLOYD & SONS established contractor, we have sufficient insurances and processes in place to enable us to work across a wide geographical area and carry out dangerous tasks safely, successfully and in accordance with the requirements of our clients,” said Paul. In addition to these services, DLS has continued its tradition of providing a comprehensive plant hire solution. From excavators and shovel hire to lorries, trucks, screening and crushing and miscellaneous equipment, the range is diverse and geared towards today’s needs. For Dyett Group, which was contracted by its client BAM Nuttall to carry out demolition works to a railway bridge in Bristol, DLS provided operated and non-operated plant along with haulage services to the project. DLS provided a package of plant and equipment to the project including telehandler, compressors, breakers, and a range of excavators including 3 tonne, 8 tonne and 20 tonne plus hammers. “We supplied a number of CPCS operators on the project working across various shifts including night time work during possessions. We also provided haulage and disposal services of the dismantled bridge using our own low loaders.
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“Using Darlow Lloyd & Sons Ltd on this project enabled Dyett Group to gain access to top quality machines and equipment which were fully compliant with the health and safety requirements of BAM Nuttall and Network Rail. Our highly skilled and flexible operators assisted Dyett’s in delivering the project to a very tight timescale on a compact and very busy site,” remarked Paul. As the business looks to the future it aims to deliver more value added services to its current client base through new technologies and processes. DLS also wants to develop new markets and clients with this technology, such as in soil stabilisation, on a broader geographical base. “As a family owned and operated business with 50 years’ experience we pride ourselves on our ability to work with customers to provide tailored services which are innovative and cost effective with outstanding levels of service and quality,” enthuses Paul. “We will continue to strive to lead the market in the development and application of bespoke solutions for our clients.” www.dlsons.co.uk Tel: 01639 886916
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“As a family owned and operated business with 50 years’ experience we pride ourselves on our ability to work with customers to provide tailored services which are innovative and cost effective with outstanding levels of service and quality”
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HAY HAMPERS
FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
FOR GREAT VALUE GIFT HAMPERS Delicious gift hampers producer, Hay Hampers Ltd. is a family-run, British company founded in 1984 to make exciting gifts with four guiding principles – authenticity, freshness, sharing and trust
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Gift giving has long been a favourite subject for studies on human behaviour. Psychologists, anthropologists, economists and marketers all have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family, friends and colleagues. In other words, who is on your gift list is telling you who is important in your life; even more, it says who is more important and who is less important. Giving to others reinforces our feelings for them and makes us feel effective and caring. In a time of economic recovery when it is more and more difficult to find the right staff and especially to keep them, gift rewards whether big or small can make a huge impact. Staff members who feel valued are less likely to 54
jump ship and move to a competitor. When you consider the costs of recruitment it is much cheaper to reward the good staff you already have than lose them. Founded in 1984, Hay Hampers has made exciting gifts for every occasion, budget and recipient all year round for over 30 years helping to keep the British tradition of giving gift hampers alive. Four guiding principles lead Hay Hampers' activity: Authenticity. Hay Hampers loves to offer good quality food and wine selected from artisan and independent boutique hand crafted estates from all over the world. In its extensive collection of hampers, traditional and innovative tastes intermingle. By offering authentic, unique products not readily available in the supermarkets, Hay Hampers has been able to promote a real understanding of food and drink
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and eventually bring added value for 30 years. Sharing. Hay Hampers believes that good food and wine brings everyone together – the company loves the stories about it, the people who produce it, the places it comes from and it aims to share this journey with customers, family, friends and colleagues. A greetings card with your personal message to be sent together with your selected gift is available free of charge as the company believes that the message is as important as the gift itself. Freshness. Hay Hampers is particularly proud of its wide range of gifts containing fresh produce such as artisan cheeses, and smoked fish and meats. With its innovative, international approach, it is constantly sourcing specialist new foods and quality wines from the best, award winning producers from Britain and around the world, particularly
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING HAY HAMPERS France and Italy. Trust. Hay Hampers believes that only the best will do - from vineyard and specialist food producer to the gift delivered on time. For Hay Hampers, customer care is paramount for loyalty before profit because “Our goal is to keep our customers for a lifetime”, states Gabriele Da Re, Managing Director at Hay Hampers. “We are a family-run business and we pride ourselves that we offer a friendly, helpful personal service. No call centre will reply to your questions but one of us, all sharing the same company values and targets,” comments Gabriele Da Re. Hay Hampers' small, family dimension allows it to create custom made gifts and bespoke services for corporate buys. “We are
Hay Hampers is particularly proud of its wide range of gifts containing fresh produce such as artisan cheeses launching a brand new, stylish packaging for Christmas 2015,” explains Gabriele Da Re, “Which can be successfully personalised with a company logo and a message to suit both budget and customer’s specification. Once the contents are consumed, the carton box will become an elegant complement to your existing home furnishings. The same thing can be achieved with a timeless wicker basket or a wooden box, which can be supplied with a posh leather tag, a metal tag or an engraving and can be easily reused with just a bit of imagination.”
www.hampers.co.uk
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bloodhound.qxp_feature 2 06/08/2015 13:16 Page 56
MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING BLOODHOUND PROJECT
THE 1000 MPH SUPERCAR BLOODHOUND SSC is a jet and rocket powered car designed to go at 1,000 mph and produce more than 135,000 horsepower more than 6 times the power of all the Formula 1 cars on a starting grid put together
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Previously, it was believed that to go at supersonic speeds the car had be a great, hulking machine just to contain the sheer size of the engine required to propel it forth. Fortunately, this proved to be a misconception, as highlighted by the Bloodhound Project. Led by Richard Noble OBE, the Bloodhound Project was established in 2007. It is the culmination of leading technology from Nammo, Rolls- Royce, Jaguar and Castrol Edge which aims, not only to break the current land speed record, but also to invoke new enthusiasm for the industry by sharing its development and technology. It's been over a century since the first land speed record was set, the car rolling over the line at a little under 40mph. Since then, the enterprise has been irrevocably turbo-charged and the Bloodhound Project is aiming for an ear-splitting 1000mph. Capitalising on the technological advances which, most specifically, the previous project ThrustSSC made, the
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team are hoping to recreate its successes and improve upon its shortcomings. The aerodynamic shape is an acute difference between the car and others which preceded it. The stability of the shape is derived by the result of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies which were completed by Swansea University. The shape of the car is integral to the incorporation of both the jet and the rockets. During the testing process, areas of high pressure are identified and, as a result, the car is modified to try to eradicate those areas. The CFD is then re-run until conditions are optimised. Not only vital for securing the speed desired, this process is vitally important to ensure the safety of driver, Andy Green. As the only man to have travelled at supersonic speeds and the current record-holder, Green is the obvious choice. The Eurojet EJ200 engine provides one third of the propulsion force for the vehicle. The turbofan design, more commonly found in the Eurofighter Typhoon, has been refined sincethe
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ThrustSSC model and now boasts more stable air intake. Intensive trials were undertaken right down to obtaining the perfect wheel, as Mark Elvin explains: “We had two different profiles of wheel that were in the frame to be used. We took them to the desert and weighted up a trailer so we got the approximate drag weight. After driving around the desert for a while to see how it interacted with the desert floor, we narrowed it down to a single design of wheel. We finalised the design, manufactured it as a one-off with the proper specifications of forging and material, then did a skin test on the Rolls- Royce rig in Derby and a stress analysis. The predictions were spot on.� Elvin and the team at the Bloodhound Project have relied upon data which they have collated in order to validate their, as yet, hypothetical understanding of how the car might perform when travelling at maximum speeds. The first actual run is due to take place on a runaway at Newquay airport and, though the car will only be travelling at a fifth of its maximum
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING BLOODHOUND PROJECT capability (just 200mph), the parachutes will be deployed to ensure their effectiveness in stopping the vehicle. Additionally, this run is an opportunity for the team to collect vital data on how the internal components of the car are corresponding to one another and the overall safety of the vehicle. “The only way to test the effect of the shockwave is to test the vehicle at increasing speeds to monitor the various channels of data (loads, pressures, vibrations, etc.) You'll do a 300mph run, analyse the data, if it looks good, you'll do 350mph, and you'll keep going up in small increments. At each point we'll check the data we measure on the car against the numbers we expect to see, the calculated data. If it corresponds, we can carry on going, if it doesn't, we need to stop and make a judgement call as to whether it's safe to continue.” Inevitably, the rigorousness of the testing process has therefore held the project back from attaining a speedy record. That said, the length of the project has enabled Bloodhound to capitalise on its primary motive: to reinvigorate the sciences and interest in mechanics for generations to come. Its inception was provoked by the notice of educational fields like mechanics and engineering becoming distinctly under-subscribed. It was therefore primarily conceived for its educational capacity, as a medium which could inspire future generations and encourage them to pursue related degrees. Half of the workforce is devoted to the educational programme, an initiative which includes the opportunity to visit the Bloodhound Project's design and engineering hub and learn more about its revolutionary technology. It's something which has been incredibly popular and has seen different schools and colleges visiting several times a week, as well as enticing local businesses. Project Director, Richard Noble has intentions to keep the education team together after the Bloodhound's final run, providing funding is available so, while the engineering team will disperse to various other projects, there is a wish to continue the legacy. The team will start deploying to Africa in summer 2016, coinciding with the end of the continent's winter season. As yet, no date is set for the record attempt and Mark Elvin insists that the land speed record will happen only when it's entirely safe. “It's a dangerous thing to do, to set a date, because you feel pressured to comply with that date. Whatever happens, everyone has to come home from that desert safely.”
the length of the project has enabled Bloodhound to capitalise on its primary motive: to reinvigorate the sciences and interest in mechanics for generations to come.
www.bloodhoundssc.com
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING KENT BRUSHES
THE WORLD’S FINEST BRUSHES
Kent Brushes currently manufacture an exceptional choice of products, with ranges for hair, body, clothes, make-up, teeth and shaving. 60
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING KENT BRUSHES
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Displaying an unprecedented eye for quality in the brush making industry, Kent Brushes is the leading manufacturer of a wide range of grooming products, including ranges for: hair, body, clothes, make-up, teeth, shaving and much more. Having supplied major retailers such as John Lewis, Selfridges and Harrods for over 200 years, it goes without saying that the company is a consistent deliverer of high quality, bespoke products to an industry where quality and aesthetics are everything. Founded in 1777 by William Kent during the reign of George III, the company has an proud history and an unbroken record in the sheer excellence in quality of production which has led the company into receiving Royal Warrants for nine reigns thus far. Up until 1932, Kent Brushes was run by six generations of the Kent family before being succeeded by the Cosby family, who have since put their own creative and dynamic spin on the company. Kent Brushes currently distributes to over 50 countries around the globe, including: USA, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East. In line with this, the company has received global acclaim
for its extensive range and quality products, with over 250 brushes which customers are able to choose from, each of which being to the same, superior build and quality. In particular, the company's bristle brushes are renown for their excellence, with only the finest bristle
imports branded with “designer” labels, Kent Brushes is one of the few companies not to give in the temptation of degrading product quality in a bid to improve profit margins. As such, if you need a high quality brush for any form of use, you can rely on Kent Brushes to have a product
“the company's bristle brushes are renown for their excellence, with only the finest bristle merchants in India and China utilised alongside timber from sustainable forests around the world” merchants in India and China utilised (locations where quality can be guaranteed readily) alongside timber from sustainable forests around the world – but even then, within these forests only the trees displaying the utmost beauty, grain, colour and suitability to be shaped, drilled and polished are used. The philosophy of Kent Brushes runs far deeper than the simple creation of a brush however, and instead the company treats this process as an art, and will exceed all expectations in all conceivable ways. Though faced with continuing pressure from cheap, competitor
beyond your needs, beyond all requirement and to a standard which is absolute. For those wishing to peruse Kent Brushes' wares, the company has a retail shop at their factory with headquarters in Hertfordshire. At the store, customers can ask as many questions as they desire on the individual products and the materials used, because Kent Brushes has nothing to hide and no reason to do so. In line with this, customers are also able to benefit from the company's extensive knowledge in presenting the right brush for the right job, be it for professional or personal use.
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING MADE IN YORKSHIRE
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING MADE IN YORKSHIRE
BUY LOCAL THINK GLOBAL
leading industry trade show Manufactured yorkshire demonstrates that the british manufacturing industry is gaining considerable speed
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Some consider the days of manufacturing and industry in the UK to be dead, and for a brief historic period this may have been somewhat the case, however times are changing and the UK manufacturing and engineering industry has been gaining considerable speed. With British manufacturing already being highly regarded for its quality and sturdy engineering, the last few years have been more about bringing that quality to an increasing number of companies and showcasing British engineering standards. Free for manufacturers and buyers of any type to attend, Manufactured Yorkshire (MY15) is a leading trade show which brings together manufacturers of all shapes and sizes to provide industryrelevant benefits and opportunities. “Cutting to the chase, we're giving you value for time and money,� explains MY15, which traditionally attracts over 1,000 delegates over a two day period and is a must-see for any and all manufacturing industry professionals.
This year, Manufactured Yorkshire was overjoyed to see eight different countries travel to Huddersfield for the second Manufactured Yorkshire Trade Show to "Buy Local, Think Global". USA, Belgium, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Thailand and Russia joined Yorkshire manufacturers across the engineering and food & drink sectors to point out the export opportunities for each country and detail their areas of interest. The purpose of this 2 day forum, which attracted the likes of HS2, Haribo, Cummins Turbo Technologies and central government was to strengthen supply chains regionally, nationally and internationally to bolster reshoring, raise Yorkshire's profile as a leader in Circular Economy and get more of the regions manufacturers involved in major contract opportunities. Amongst the interactive workshops, Meet the Buyer sessions with Cummins Inc, HS2, Team Humber Marine Alliance, Morrisons and ASDA, the international focus carried on throughout the show with an International exhibition stand amongst
nearly 100 manufacturers and suppliers across the show. On the second day of MY15, 8 UKTI Commercial Officers presented the opportunities within their market of expertise for Yorkshire food and drink producers as well as businesses in the Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing sector. Chrissie Slater, Event Director of MY15 commented: "Doing business overseas is essential for the growth and expansion of British companies. Exporting has a positive impact on staffing, productivity, financial performance and longevity. Yorkshire manufactured products are very popular overseas due to a number of reasons. Yorkshire food and drink stands for high quality and is loved by many consumers overseas. Besides this, a large number of expats has to be taken into account; who always love to get a little taste of home. For that reason, overseas opportunities should be exploited by Yorkshire companies. As a key sponsor, UKTI has worked very hard to make these opportunities available to Engineering and Food & Drinks Manufacturers at MY15."
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING CELSIUS PROJECTS
EXPERTISE. INSIGHT. PERSPECTIVE. Celsius provides design, construction and project management services within the food and drinks industry to create innovative manufacturing, storage and distribution solutions
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Celsius Projects is dedicated to providing design, construction, and project management throughout the food and drink industry. They bring a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge of the industry and have a deep understanding of the challenges it brings working within live factory environments without any loss of production or risk to product integrity. The Company works hard to provide customers with the best in project management and innovative designs solutions. Celsius Projects has seen significant growth in recent times having established excellent client relationships and recently become a group. Sarah Spearing, Business Development Manager said: “Our business has recently become a group and we have three businesses within that. Celsius Projects is the division that deals with mostly larger projects. They can take projects from concept through to completion including dealing with planning applications, building regulations, detailed design, process layout, architectural and structural design as well as the construction works. Additionally they can help with long term planning of your
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business offering advice and incorporating future development and growth into design. “Also within our group is Aura Facilities Limited which caters for smaller projects, repairs and maintenance work. Celsius Civil Engineering completes the group providing an offering of ground works where a building is not necessarily being erected. This includes external drainage, foundations, piling works, silo bases, roads and yards, earthworks, retaining walls etc.” Celsius Projects recognises the value of innovation, utilising its experience and expertise to successfully implement new ideas. Its ability to take care of all elements within construction industry has witnessed it work on some interesting projects recently. For example, details Sarah, “We are currently completing the construction of a new abattoir project where the design was particularly challenging given the topography of the site, and constraints created by existing site services. Other examples include recently implementing a modular construction on a project to provide a temporary loading and storage facility while our sister company Aura Facilities has recently completed a small project for an Ice Cream pro-
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ducer where we used a traditional racking system to act as the building frame because it wasn't economical to put a steel frame in. This meant we had to think outside the box and find a solution that was a bit different.” Allied to innovation is a commitment to quality. This goes hand in hand with stringent health, safety, environmental and quality controls. Celsius Projects recently appointed a member of the team to directly deal with its policies, procedures and management of these aspects of the business. Importantly, the company’s Safe Contractor “approved” status has aided its endeavours to improve its health and safety practices. “It has helped us raise standards on our sites as we are always trying to improve services wherever possible such as carefully selecting the right resources whether that is on a site basis or within the office. When we are working with suppliers and sub-contractors we apply the same rigorous vetting and ongoing monitoring to ensure they meet the same high standards,” commented Sarah. As Celsius Projects continues to grow there is no doubt that its outstanding work and customer service will also continue. The services the company provides are always to an exceptionally high standard and can be tailored to each of its clients.
www.celsius-projects.com
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING VIVARAIL
DELIVERING LOCAL RAIL SOLUTIONS
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High tech and environmentally friendly – these are the hallmarks of Vivarail’s D-Train. Because the train is built around an existing, lightweight aluminium bodyshell, it begins its life with a minimal carbon footprint, and combined with innovative features such as stop/start and low emission engines (compliant with latest Euro 3B standards), the D-Train has fair claim to being the UK’s greenest train. Vivarail has used technology from other industries to bring real benefits to train passengers and operators alike. For example the engine’s Diesel Particulate Filter minimises the emissions traditionally associated with trains simply by applying a smart solution developed by car manufacturers who have dealt with more stringent emission tar-
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gets than the rail industry to date. And it’s not just in technological advances that the D-Train excels - maintenance and performance systems have also been remodelled to work sensibly and keep the trains out on the tracks far longer than existing stock. By replacing cumbersome old electro-mechanical equipment with modules to hold modern and clean engines, motors and traction control systems, routine maintenance becomes a simple and easy job. Rather than needing the whole train to be taken to a depot engineers will merely slide out one of the modules to work on in mini-depots at convenient locations. The D-Train has also been designed to allow performance to be remotely monitored 24/7. Doing so means problems can be quickly identified and dealt with rather than waiting to be
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Vivarail Ltd. was formed in 2012 to produce a new type of rolling stock designed specifically for local rail services – the D-Train.
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MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING VIVARAIL discovered during routine inspections. Passenger comfort is at the heart of the operation and the train has been designed to work for every type of traveller. Different seat configurations mean it can suit different journeys. Commuters need to be able to get on and off speedily so wide doorways and plenty of standing room enables that. Those travelling with children or users of wheelchairs will appreciate the amount of space to manoeuvre around, plus toilets that comply with all foreseeable regulations. And for tourists the large windows will make the train journey an entirely enjoyable part of their holiday. And of course the D-Train supports the 4Cs identified in the 2007 Rail White Paper ‘Delivering a Sustainable Railway, including: light and airy interior layout, with Wi-Fi, low noise and vibration, ease of boarding and exit, and fewer on-track failures due to remotely monitored train condition. For capacity, the D-Train also offers more affordable seats due to low whole-life costs and also, for minimising costs and carbon emissions it also offers: low capital cost, low maintenance costs including 10 minute engine swap due to adoption of transferable automotive industry technology (with self-protecting diesel engines), low Track Access Charges, low fuel consumption (less than 0.5 litre per car mile), minimal empty running needed, due to on-site / overnight maintenance philosophy, the ability to re-use the aluminium bodyshell, low vehicle weight (31 tonne DMOS + 19 tonne TOS cf. 44 tonne for a typical DMU), low fuel consumption (35% less than typical DMU), and start-stop engine technology to boot. And if that’s not enough good news we should also mention that the D-Train is built in Britain!
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RAIL RAILTEX
RAILTEX 2015 IS A SUCCESS
The latest technology, equipment and innovations were exhibited at the most effective Railtex for years
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Railtex is the all encompassing showcase for technological innovation across all sectors of the rail supply market. Against a backdrop of continuing investment in rail and significant ongoing projects, Railtex provides a timely opportunity for companies serving the rail market to highlight their capabilities and showcase their products and services. Nearly 7,500 rail industry professionals visited the recent Railtex 2015 exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham from 12 to 14 May. A total of 468 leading suppliers took part in the successful show, presenting their latest technology, equipment and innovations during an event regarded as the most effective Railtex for years.
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Participants included many of the best known firms supplying the UK rail market. There was a high-profile presence by Bombardier Transportation, which is currently delivering new trains for London Underground and Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern, and will soon be supplying rolling stock for the capital’s Crossrail project. The Hitachi Rail Europe stand featured a model of the intercity trains the firm is to build at its new County Durham factory for the Department for Transport’s IEP programme, plus its vehicle concepts for future UK high-speed lines. Also present was Siemens, which will deliver the first new Thameslink trains later this year and is also supplying new trainsets to Eurostar. They were joined by a vast range of highly spe-
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cialised companies covering every sector of a very diversified supply chain. While British-based companies predominated, there was an increased presence by foreign companies seeking opportunities in a UK rail market that is enjoying unprecedented levels of investment. Most notable were exhibitors from China, principally train builders China CNR Corporation and CSR Sifang, soon to be merged to form the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer. The latter company chose Railtex for the official signing of cooperation agreements with three leading UK universities to establish a centre for railway research and development. Railtex 2015 was not only about business transactions, though: an extensive and wideranging programme of speeches and presen-
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RAIL RAILTEX tations by leading industry figures was a major highlight, with many sessions standing room only and plenty of constructive exchanges between speakers and audience. With 468 of the rail industry’s leading suppliers taking part, Railtex 2015 was the biggest and busiest of these events for more than a decade. A total of 7,449 trade visitors attended the show. A further 2,700 people were present as exhibitors, bringing together some 10,150 rail industry professionals over three days at the NEC. Of the 7,449 trade visitors, over 73% were of senior manager level or above and possessed purchasing power. As a result, many exhibitors said Railtex exceeded their expectations, with show surveys indicating that 98% received positive business enquiries.
EXTENSIVE SUPPORTING PROGRAMME While the event continued to fulfill its primary role as a showcase for the latest in railway technology, it also featured an extensive and high profile range of supporting activities, providing further Railtex highlights. These included technical seminars plus a full programme of interactive sessions including project updates, industry briefings and discussion forums. Many featured presentations by leading figures shaping the UK rail sector and all were free to attend. The popularity of these sessions meant that many were standing-room only, including those by the recently formed Rail Supply Group set up by the industry and government to optimise the potential of UK companies. The Group’s co-chairman Terence Watson said: “Railtex provided the RSG with an unrivalled opportunity to engage with both the industry and its customers. With access to
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over 2,700 representatives of exhibitors and almost 7,500 visitors over the three days, we were able to share the RSG’s vision for the future; and also outline how businesses in the supply chain, both large and small, could work with us as we develop our Industrial Strategy. Railtex will form a key part of our engagement with the industry over the coming years. More information on Railtex 2015 can be found at www.railtex.co.uk. Meanwhile, planning is now well under way for the next UK rail show organised by Mack Brooks Exhibitions - Infrarail 2016 covering railway infrastructure equipment and technologies will take place at ExCeL in London from 12 to 14 April next year. It will be colocated with the company’s CITE – Civil Infrastructure Technology & Equipment event. Visit www.infrail.com and www.citeuk.com for details.
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RAIL RAILTEX
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bernstein.qxp_feature 2 05/08/2015 12:33 Page 72
RAIL BERNSTEIN
EFFICIENCY
MEETS SAFETY
BERNSTEIN has an established reputation for providing high-quality safety switches, sensors and enclosures for the rail industry
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Bernstein is a well known and trusted company that produces and distributes high quality electromechanical solutions for signal acquisition and pre-processing. The company values its clients very highly and works hard to build strong relationships throughout the industry. In the course of the company's history it has been involved in many revolutionary discoveries in the field of industrial safety technology. The success of the business has seen it strengthen its position in the UK and Ireland in addition to delivering solutions all around the world. Paul Sharp, Business Development Manager, said: “In the UK we employ 22 people and have over 65 years of experience in the marketplace, this helps when we are dealing with customers as we have a wealth of knowl-
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edge and experience to help them with. Our products are long lasting and durable and we work hard to provide our customers with a solution rather than just a product. “Out in the field we can offer solutions of contact and non-contact detections for solids and liquids as well as protection services and solutions for harsh environments such as oil and gas. The majority of items that we produce for the rail industry are our enclosures, we supply enclosures in various different materials and customise these to exact specifications, including pre-wiring and painting if needed. On the sensor side of the business we can offer sensors that can detect up to 0.4 of a millimetre away and they can go up to 6m, those are your non-contact sensors. On the switches side we are concerned with interaction between man and machine and protecting people through the
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RAIL BERNSTEIN
use of contact switches. We have a wide range of services that can cater for all of our rail customers, track side and train bourne.” Recent projects for the company have involved collaborations with Bombardier and Crossrail. These have helped Bernstein grow its presence in this market and showcased its abilities. Indeed, committed to a proactive approach to growth, the business continues to focus on delivering specialist, high quality services with the resources and expertise to take on any size of project. Paul stated: “Particularly in the railway industry recently, we have made a lot of progress on large and important projects with, for example, retro fit work on Bombardier and Siemens trains plus a largescale project with Crossrail.” Bernstein is a company that is always looking to exceed its customers' expectations in all aspects of the business, including health and safety. Paul detailed: “In terms of health and safety we have an IMS system in place and operate a stringent briefing and auditing health and safety system throughout our operations. We also carry out refresher courses and training updates with all of our staff to make sure that they comply fully with recent legislation. We must conform to the top specifications of health and safety as we ourselves are sending out products which promote safety.” With the future looking positive for Bernstein, the company will undoubtedly continue to progress and provide an exceptionally high standard of products to the industry. Paul enthused: “We are always striving to provide the best services that we can for our customers, this is our number one priority.”
“Bernstein is a company that is always looking to meet or exceed its customers' expectations in all aspects of the business including health and safety”
Find out more by visiting www.bernstein-ltd.co.uk
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RAIL CANNON TECHNOLOGIES
A GLOBAL LEADER IN ENCLOSURE SOLUTIONS Cannon Technologies is an international leader in data cabinets & metal enclosure systems.
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In the manufacturing industry, technological innovation is one of, if not the most prominent driving factors for standards across the industry. There are companies which rely on such technological innovations, and others which are positioned as pioneers in bringing forward new, ground-breaking technologies which can change everything – Cannon Technologies is one such organisation. Established in 1974, Cannon Technologies was created out of a desire to develop further activity and innovation within the defence, rail and commercial sectors. Now spread out across all continents around the globe, Cannon provides cutting edge, reliable solutions where it is needed most and to this day remains an international leader in data centre infrastructure including modular data centres, 19” cabinets, indoor and outdoor cabinets and metal enclosure systems for the data networking, telecommunications, electronics and IT industries. With quality being paramount to Cannon, the company goes to extensive lengths in ensuring that all of its services are provided to 74
an unquestionably high standard. As such, the company was one of the first organisations to ever achieve the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 standard, serving as testament to the company's good name and clear dedication to quality. This standard was only achievable by the company's definitive quality management procedures which ensure that customers always receive the best. Of course, this dedication to quality and the expertise regularly displayed by the company in understanding the market are two of the factors which truly set it apart from the competition, however this isn't the only way in which Cannon stands head and shoulders above the rest. Glenn Conlon, Director of Cannon Technologies explains how it's also the company's innovative nature and dedication to the customer which brings its service to the forefront of the industry, adding that: “We like to pick out the pains that customers are having and then turn them to our benefit by developing a new product from it. Because we're still very much a family owned company, running lean principles, automated factory technologies and have a large number
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of specialist engineers working on this technology, it means that we don't need to go through a lot of tick boxes to authorise or approve innovation and we are able to lean on a core of engineering skills for the thermal, electronic, software and mechanical side of things. I think it's really all about this ability to innovate quickly and work with our customers to bring out new products and ideas.” Of course, another key area in which Cannon is different stems from the sheer size and consolidation of skills. Boasting very technical skills in the overarching areas of operation, unlike many of its direct, large-scale competitors, Cannon is able to pick and choose which supporting partners it works with on key product applications instead of being forced to tap into the same internal teams. What this effectively allows Cannon to offer is a standard of service and product which always has the same key, driving foundation of expertise but has additional specialised expertise in whichever application is needed, creating a far more adaptable solution. Of the skills available in-house with Cannon, it is also key to note how the innovative and
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customer-led approach of the company is able to bring new ideas, new innovations and new ways of doing things to the table, on which Glenn expands: “We're an innovative company and we've developed a lot in market areas. We are able to display a lot of engineering and technical competencies in various areas of the company which allows us to sit, side by side with clients on a particular project and help them to develop and work on projects where they're trying to put electronic equipment outside or inside. Unlike most, they will also test the companies to think of alternative ways of doing
things instead of just listening to what others want. It's all about suggesting other ways of doing it to get the best cost for the customer and producing an innovative project as well.” Focusing on key innovations in the IP/EMC sealing, remote keyless access & monitoring of outdoor cabinets, Cannon recognises the need within specific industries, such as the rail sector whereupon companies are increasingly required to put in place additional security systems and monitoring equipment to safeguard facilities. Due to the nature of the rail industry, it is the case that regional operators may run along the rail lines, but are in fact not the owners or managers of the lines themselves and so
Cannon’s Network Rail approved products include Indoor and Outdoor cabinets for Trackside and Platform solutions Cannon's remote access lock systems effectively allow for third party technicians to visit and perform maintenance or repair work for the individual operators who provide remote keyless access from their own control centre while at the same time maintaining high standards for security and management of assets. Cannon’s Network Rail approved products include Indoor and Outdoor cabinets for Trackside and Platform solutions for housing electronic equipment for communications, customer info systems, security and PA. Extreme environmental factors require IP65 rating
along with thermal management solutions such as Thermo-Electric Cooling, Heat exchangers, Air-conditioners, Forced Air Fan cooling or totally passive cooling where possible. Protection from condensation is a major consideration along with sealing against dust/particles in the environment as well as driving rain. This being the first year which Cannon attended the Railtex trade show, this year the company has also made the move to further open its horizons and communicate further with all manner of industry professional through the show. “This gave us a platform to find out more about how the industry setup works, to meet a lot of the contractors involved in the industry and display some of the technology we've been developing. We've been able to meet a number of companies which we hadn't been able to meet before in addition to people at Network Rail. As a result of attending the number of enquiries we've had in the last two months are more than what we've seen in the last two years, and a lot of these are new people which we've never spoken to before,” explains Glenn. Thanks to the show, it's expected that we will be thanks to the show, it's expected that we will be hearing much more of Cannon in the years to come, with the company receiving much wider acclaim and renown.
www.cannontech.co.uk
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Sennheiser.qxp_feature 2 04/08/2015 10:04 Page 78
SENNHEISER
MAKING HISTORY SENNHEISER CELEBRATES 70 YEARS OF SOUND
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For decades, the name Sennheiser has been synonymous with highquality products, “true” sound and numerous innovations that have set new standards in audio technology. It remains a family-owned and operated enterprise, now headed by a third generation of the Sennheiser family. Today’s CEOs Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser both share their grandfather and father’s entrepreneurial ambition to shape the entire audio sector through a dynamic culture of innovation and an uncompromised passion for excellence. Today, Sennheiser has more than 2,700 employees, with around half of them based in Germany. In 2014 the family company, whose Management Board still regards independence as a core value, generated turnover of approximately €635 million.
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BUILDING COMMUNICATION In 2013 Sennheiser Communications, a leading provider of premium headset solutions, turned 10 and is still going strong. Built on the 70 year sound legacy of the Sennheiser brand, it delivers headsets with highest voice clarity, modern design and excellent wearing comfort. The company is pursuing major growth plans for the global Contact Centre and Office (CC&O) headset market and aims to triple its market share by 2018. "We will continue to invest substantially in research and development to enhance and expand our product portfolio," says Andreas Bach, President, Sennheiser Communications. "Wireless technologies and all relevant technologies to enhance handsfree communication are trends that show
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2014 showed that Sennheiser’s plans are in fact well on track, as it recorded record sales that rose by 44.3 million euros to 634.8 million, an increase of around 7.5%.
great potential for the future." The full portfolio comes at a time when the enterprise headset market has experienced substantial growth with strong predictions for the future. Business analysts at Frost and Sullivan forecast total revenue of around $2.2 billion by 2019. One of the main drivers is growth in global demand for Unified Communications (UC) solutions. In today's office environment it is important not to be confined to a desk phone but to have several communication options, and Unified Communications works best with a headset. That is why an estimated 50 to 70 percent of companies that buy a full UC solution equip it with headsets. Andreas Bach added: "Building on Sennheiser's 70-year legacy of sound leadership and significant opportunities in the global headset market, we are confident that our strong growth plans are within reach." 2014 showed that Sennheiser’s plans are in fact well on track, as it recorded record sales that rose by 44.3 million euros to 634.8 million, an increase of around 7.5%. Net earnings also increased, and the company grew in all regions worldwide, though significantly in Asia and Australia. Having already established formal strategic
partnerships with all the major UC players, such as Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Mitel, Snom, Alcatel-Lucent, Polycom, and Avaya, plans to expand these alliances globally to be able to deliver on even more sales opportunities suggest a rich and successful future ahead.
A SMART APPROACH TO THE FUTURE As an innovation-driven company, Sennheiser will continue playing a key role in shaping the future of audio and communication. The foundations for this have already been laid, with its new Innovation Campus, built on the company site in Wedemark, Germany. “Here, as at our worldwide innovation centres, we will bring together our breadth of expertise to shape unique solutions to individualize audio content even more,” Daniel Sennheiser explains. “In the future, we will align our product development even more closely to customers’ true needs, wherever they arise, while always striving to achieve acoustic perfection.” With adaptable and increasingly smart products, Sennheiser will continue to develop and deliver future solutions that redefine audio technology.
www.en-uk.sennheiser.com
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HEALTH & SAFETY
EASIER SAID THAN DONE?
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As one of the most hazardous (yet essential) industries to work in, the manufacturing and engineering sectors are ones whereupon health and safety must be handled with the utmost care and diligence. Additionally, as the UK manufacturing sector is made up of a diverse range of sub-industries and professions playing host to an estimated 2.5m workers, it is one where the management of health and safety is far more easily said than done. Over the past 5 years, each year there have been an average of 22 recorded deaths due to workplace accidents in the manufacturing industry, with an average of more than 3,100 reports of major injuries and 4,100 reports of injuries which have kept workers away from the workplace for seven days or more. Additionally, many of those working in the sector also suffer ill health from workplace exposures which accounts for an estimated 33,000 illnesses displayed by workers. It has been 40 years since the Health and Safety Work Act received Royal Assent, thus providing a new regulatory framework for workplace health and safety in Great Britain through the HSE. To this day, the HSE has
maintained an unequivocal stance on health and safety in all industries, but particularly in those with the greatest risks such as manufacturing. In line with this, the organisation has a targeted strategy for managing health and safety within the manufacturing sector and all of its sub-industries. For grouping the various different components of the industry, the HSE uses a hybrid groupings approach to allow for the accommodation of challenges posed by the sheer diversity of the sector and providing a basis for targeted attention in key areas at the same time as retaining sufficient scope for tailored industry interventions. By grouping different industries into these sections, the HSE is able to provide more targeted support and guidance to industries with similar risks, or scales of risk whereupon health and safety may need to be handled in an entirely different manner to that of other, oft related industries. This approach has proven to be very effective for the HSE and allows for it to guide all organisations within the vast manufacturing sector in the right direction. Looking to the future it is clear that the HSE will continue to monitor the ever-changing landscape of the manufacturing sector and adapt its processes in
turn. Commenting on the current state of the industry and future trends, the HSE comments: “The number of people employed in manufacturing has shrunk considerably over the past 30 years, partly as a result of automation and improved production techniques, and partly as a result of cheaper imports and the export of production capacity by GB manufacturers. However, the position now is relatively stable due in part to the diversity of the sector, which contains: high-tech industries such as aerospace which are not so cost sensitive, those producing lower value items such as some construction products where transport costs favour domestic production, food processing, linked to the GB land industries that grow the produce or livestock, and assembly plants for Far East motor manufacturers, representing their strategic decisions on where to locate within the EU, with their GB manufacturing supply chains providing 'just in time' delivery of parts. “Changes in manufacturing methods linked to new materials, new technologies and greater automation ('advanced manufacturing') should also support relatively high 'added-value' domestic producers rather than low-cost (overseas) manufacturers.�
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HEALTH & SAFETY IOSH
THE HEART OF HEALTH & SAFETY iosh are the biggest health and safety membership organisation in the world and only Chartered body for health and safety professionals.
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It's one thing to provide a safe working environment, however regardless of the hazards which may, or may not be present in a particular work environment it is equally important to maintain an active, safety-conscious workforce that prioritises the health and well-being of the entire organisation at every stage. Crucial to this is maintaining a consistently high standard of health and safety training, not only to outline the basics in safe working practices in a particular environment, but also to ingrain a health and safety culture at behavioural level. Having successfully designed health and safety training courses over a period of over 20 years, IOSH is one of, if not the most prominent providers of market-leading health and safety training services within the UK and internationally. Bluntly put, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's (IOSH) courses are second to none, with every box ticked and every essential aspect covered to ensure the complete and utter safety of all within the workplace, posi82
tioning IOSH training courses as the industry standard for health and safety. Working from a network of approximately 1,700 IOSH-approved training providers around the globe, IOSH has successfully raised global awareness for correct health and safety procedures in the workplace whilst supporting organisations and individuals alike in achieving such standards. Through utilising approved training providers, a high degree of competencies and expertise can always to be expected as a result of IOSH's own audits and monitoring of such providers. Suitable for people of all levels across every sector and every organisation, around 150,000 employees successfully achieve an IOSH health and safety training qualification every year. IOSH's two most well known safety courses are “Managing Safely” and “Working Safely”, with both providing distinct but equally important qualifications to maintain safety in the workplace. In addition, there are also a slew of IOSHapproved courses which have been created by training providers directly and are also kept to
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the same standard as IOSH's own courses. Organisations wishing to become approved as an IOSH training provider must follow a step-by-step process by which providers must: select an IOSH health and safety training course for which they wish to become a licensed deliverer of, register to provide an offthe-shelf IOSH training package such as “Managing Safely” and “Working Safely” or register an own-brand training course for approval and finally provide in-depth information regarding company qualifications and training experience for health and safety courses. From this information, IOSH assesses organisations on their capability and expertise and will only approve training providers able to confirm that they: have a level 3 Occupational Safety and Health qualification, at least two years' training experience (with 50% face-to-face delivery) or a level 3 qualification in training, have attended a familiarisation training day at IOSH, are able to provide three references for all trainers intending to deliver IOSH approved courses at director level and above and also have a nomi-
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HEALTH & SAFETY IOSH nated IOSH member with line management responsibility, employed directly by the company in question. Though it may seem that IOSH may set the bar very high for prospective training providers, it is essential to understand that it is IOSH's benchmarks for approval which essentially support only the highest standard of health and safety training provision all the way from conceiving the course down to the
“All our IOSH approved training solutions are regularly reviewed to make sure that we're delivering the highest standards in practice“ training of individuals workers. “All our IOSH approved training solutions are regularly reviewed to make sure that we're delivering the highest standards in practice (both technical content and training techniques),” explains IOSH. All in all, for all organisations seeking to refine their health and safety systems and training, there's IOSH. Regardless of needs or requirements, IOSH has an option to support all those wishing to work in a safer, more responsible manner. For health and safety, see IOSH. www.iosh.co.uk
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the last word.qxp_feature 2 05/08/2015 12:31 Page 84
THE LAST WORD...
self-drive cars fact not fiction Self-driving cars are not pieces of fiction anymore. The day entire highways are awash with cars full of passengers and zero drivers is closer than you think. In fact, the reality of the self-drive vehicle on the commercial market is even closer after major German car manufacturers including Audi, BMW and Daimler, bought Nokia’s “Here” digital mapping business. The £2bn deal sees the carmakers take control of Nokia’s innovative technology, which aims to build cloud-based maps to control vehicles on the road. For the automotive industry, this is the basis for new assistance systems and ultimately fully autonomous driving. "High-precision digital maps are a crucial component of the mobility of the future," said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of Daimler. Along with BMW,
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Audi and other manufacturers in Germany, the carmakers plan to use “Here” to combine digital maps with real-time vehicle data. The speed at which map updates and vehicle data can be processed will dictate how quickly self-drive cars can become a reality on our roads. "No single carmaker can do it by themselves," said “Here” President Sean Fernback, suggesting this new collaboration is key to the progression of the technology. "The new ownership structure of “Here” will allow us to accelerate our strategy, further scale our business and fulfil our intent to become the leading location cloud company across industries.” The sale is part of Nokia’s ongoing refocus of its business endeavours. Earlier this year it bought French rival Alcatel-Lucent in a £11.2bn deal. "With
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this step we complete the latest stage of Nokia's transformation," said Rajeev Suri, chief executive officer of Nokia. Going forward, we will focus on our planned combination with Alcatel-Lucent. Once that is complete, Nokia will be a renewed company, with a world-leading network technology and services business, as well as the licensing and innovation engine of Nokia Technologies."
"High-precision digital maps are a crucial component of the mobility of the future”
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THE BLOODHOUND PROJECT the 1000 mph supercar cannon technologies Global leader in enclosure solutions
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s u l P accrofab ALSO INSIDE... darlow lloyd & sons 50 years of success
4Hydro Industries 4Precolor Sales 4Railtex
Class leading manufacturer of precision engineered parts