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EPC Global Press Release 3 |
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
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New Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy released by CEO
At the beginning of June our CEO Tobias Read released a new CSR policy to our 140 employees, across our 8 global offices. The policy was created so that the company can make a wider contribution to those in society that are less privileged than ourselves. We feel that this is very important as it will enable us to give back both nationally and internationally. The initial plan is make a contribution to the charities that we have chosen and also support any employees wishing to take part in a charitable acitivity. We were recently approached by the 'Telegraph' newspaper to discuss this new policy
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Global House Press Release 1 |
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
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testing
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
Key railway supplier Mechan bought by managers
A
management buyout deal has just been sealed at a Sheffield company that
manufactures specialist lifting equipment for the railways and heavy
industry. Mechan Limited has been designing, fabricating and installing
cranes and other heavy-lifting gear for UK industrial customers since
1969, and is a major supplier to the railway industry world-wide.
The
MBO team was headed by Mechan’s Business Development Director Richard
Carr, who becomes Managing Director following completion of the deal.
He is an equal shareholder with three colleagues: financial director
Zahir Altaf, sales director Graham Cofield and technical director
Christian Fletcher.
“We had been in discussion since January
with founder and major shareholder Tony Hague, who decided to sell some
while ago,” Richard Carr explains. “So we were pleased to tie up an
agreement that will enable Mechan to maintain the growth achieved over
the past four decades. Tony retains a minority holding and the role of
Chairman.
“The
buyout team is very confident about future prospects, particularly as
export markets now provide extensive sales opportunities. We are also
benefiting from increased investment in new rolling stock and
maintenance depots in the UK, for which Mechan lifting jacks and other
equipment are often specified.
“Successful conclusion of the
buyout provides continuity and security for the business and its key
people, whilst ensuring knowledge transfer and skills retention. We
shall maintain our focus on customer service, product development and
lean manufacturing to ensure cost competitiveness in both UK and global
markets.”
Funding for the MBO was provided by South Yorkshire
Investment Fund, alongside personal investment from members of the
buyout team and ongoing banking arrangements with NatWest. The value of
the buyout has not been disclosed.
Mechan will operate from its current premises until 2009, when relocation to a new facility is envisaged.
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
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The oil and gas industry provides one of the harshest environments on earth for man - made equipment, and also demands the most rigorous standards of safety and effectiveness.
You would expect MEDC's field equipment to meet or exceed industry standards world wide, for safe operation in hazardous areas. You would expect us to offer warranties, comprehensive prices, highly effective products and fast deliveries. What you might not expect is to see our range of field equipment made of glass reinforced polyester which is uniquely approved for use in explosion - risk environments.
| Explosion - Proof |
Certified, approved and listed in the following standards:
CENELEC, UL, CSA, GOST |
| Thermal stability |
IEC 216-1: ISO 178, iso R527; BASEEFA verified |
| Fire Retardant |
ISO 1210: BASEEFA verified |
| UV stability |
ISO 4892, ISO 179 and BSEN 50014 |
Because its unique features give valuable benefits and it has a whole - life cost significantly lower than for metal alloy or stainless steel field equipment.
- Light
MEDC's all GRP equipment is similar in weight to alloy but considerably lighter than stainless steel.
- Strong
MEDC have designed GRP products which meet the same standards for impact, vibration, shock and explosion resistance as metal.
- Corrosion - Free
Unlike alloy, MEDC's grades of GRP are virtually unaffected by exposure to weathering and match the performance of stainless steel.
- Low Maintenance
With no corrosion, users can 'fit and forget' GRP field equipment. We know that maintenance routines still need to be carried out, so that adherence to local requirements can be demonstrated. However we have found that our users need fewer inspections to comply, reducing maintenance costs.
- Fire - Retardant
MEDC's GRP field equipment has excellent fire retardant properties as tested by BASEEFA to ISO 1210
- Stable
Tests for UV stability have shown that a service life of over fifty years can be expected. Because GRP is a thermoset material, it is not prone to temperature - related degradation, as thermoplastics can be. MEDC's GRP field equipment will perform under the most arduous temperature extremes over many years.
- Chemical Resistant
GRP will resist attack by most acids, alkalis and chemicals and is as resistant to concentrated acids and alkalis as most metal products.
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Newtown Vehicle Rentals PR1 |
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
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testing
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
Autumn is the season when
incidents on the rail network increase. Whilst the media make a joke of
it, leaves on the line, or even morning dew, can have a serious effect
upon the braking speeds of trains. That is why at this time of year
Scientifics sends out its Rail Head Swab kits and its laboratories gear
up for incident investigation analysis.
Every time there is
an incident on the railway or a train passes a signal at danger (SPAD)
an incident investigation team is despatched to find out why it
occurred. It is no surprise then that Network Rail is the principal
user of the swab kits and its investigation teams often use them
following rail incidents and SPADs. Analysis of the samples may help
identify the possible causes of loss of wheel-rail adhesion and
therefore provide vital information that might prevent a similar
incident occurring in the future – but the samples have to be
accurately captured first. So, the investigators using the Rail Head
Swab kits all have to be fully trained to use them effectively.
Scientifics undertakes many training courses throughout the year to
ensure that investigators are using the swabs properly – if they do
not, then the data they collect might not be valid and an opportunity
to improve safety on the network will be lost.
The kits
themselves are designed to contain all the equipment an Investigator
should need specifically to collect samples to investigate the cause of
wheel/rail adhesion problems. Everything from a pipette, filter papers,
scalpel and gloves through to sample bottles, labels, forms and a reply
paid envelope.
Once the samples have been collected, the
forms completed with as much information as possible they are sent for
analysis at the laboratories at Scientifics. Only then will the
investigators discover that the incident or SPAD was due to leaf
debris, some other physical remains – cream from a dairy was one source
of an incident – or oil, or some form of inorganic element such as
sand. Many factors reduce wheel-rail adhesion and it is vital that all
of the risks are investigated, analysed and plans made to avoid a
recurrence of the incident again.
To that end, Scientifics’
forensic expertise is playing a very important role. Not just in
providing off the shelf swab kits for use by investigating teams, but
also in researching the causes of loss of wheel-rail adhesion.
Currently, its team of professionals is working with train operators to
determine the effect of dew on the rails as well as undertaking
continuous tests on various forms of debris that can cause an accident
and delay the thousands of commuters every morning in the UK.
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