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Already established as offering the best performance in terms of fire resistance and sound insulation, Saint-Gobain Pipelines’ Ensign cast iron drainage system is now set to take on the competition for ease of installation. The new Ensign EEZI-FIT push-fit range of fittings and couplings for above ground gravity drainage combines the benefits of cast-iron performance with the simplicity of push-fit assembly.

Announcing this new innovation to the Ensign range, Mike Rawlings of Saint-Gobain Pipelines said: “Ensign has already established its position in the market as the most versatile system for above and below ground use, but we are always looking to develop the range to reflect market needs. The introduction of Ensign EEZI-FIT answers the call for a system that combines all the benefits of cast iron with a push fit installation method. The addition of a push-fit option reinforces Ensign’s position as the most versatile system on the market.”

Mechanical jointing will remain the favoured option for applications where internal drainage systems may need to be altered or extended in the future, or if there is a higher level of pressure capability required in case of blockages, such as internal rainwater systems. Whereas push-fit offers the perfect solution and is generally used for installations such as high-rise residential blocks where the main soil stacks are not likely to be changed over time and the system performance is no more than 0.5bar gravity pressure. However, because the EEZI-FIT range has been designed to the parameters of BS EN 877, both jointing methods can be used allowing ductile iron mechanical couplings to be used in certain sections of a push-fit system that may require dismantling at a later stage.

With the proven qualities of durability, strength, sustainability, fire resistance and acoustic performance, speed of installation is sometimes seen as a disadvantage for mechanically jointed cast iron systems, with the perception of a longer installation time adding to the overall cost of a project. According to Saint-Gobain, Ensign EEZI-FIT directly addresses that challenge and offers a speed and ease of installation comparable with other push-fit systems.

The Ensign EEZI-FIT range utilises the standard range of Ensign brackets, including the new acoustic bracket which has been tested to the new European Standard BS EN 14366:2004. Results from the tests proved that Ensign cast iron is significantly quieter than any other material – 4-5dB(A) airborne noise and up to 10dB(A) for structure borne noise, offering significant savings on acoustic insulation. So, for quality flats and apartments Ensign EEZI-FIT really is the perfect solution.

Ensign is the only cast-iron system kitemarked to BS EN 877. Ensign EEZI-FIT will also be kitemarked to the standard for gravity applications of 0.5 bar performance although it has been successfully tested to higher pressures. The new range features 100mm diameter push-fit fittings and coupling including a new radius branch with up to four boss options to connect to waste pipes available plain or with an access door. The range is red epoxy coated internally and externally and its joints are made with EPDM rubber gasket seals.

With the first phase of the Ensign EEZI-FIT range now available, Saint-Gobain Pipelines has also announced that a number of new fittings will follow by September. These will include a range of boss pipes with up to 3 waste connections, a double branch with boss options, and a new push-fit manifold connector with an extended spigot that will avoid the need for a joint in the floor slab.

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AMTECH Power Software has chosen the educational facilities operated by the UK’s largest electrical safety specialist CLM as the perfect venue for training courses in the North West of England. Located at CLM’s headquarters in Warrington, the Learning Centre offers the ideal environment for AMTECH’s comprehensive, CPD registered courses.

“Demand in the North West for our training courses has been overwhelming so we are delighted to have found such an ideal facility,” said AMTECH Sales Director James Cooper. “This will enable us to deliver a consistently high standard of training to customers in a comfortable learning environment,” he added.

The first course to be held at the Warrington training centre is on AMTECH’s FastTest Test & Inspection software on the 4th September 2007. There are a few spaces left, so please call 0800 028 28 28 ASAP to reserve your space.

AMTECH is an Institution of Electrical Engineers (IET) Endorsed Training Provider and is registered with the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a course provider. All AMTECH courses attract Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, which are credited towards an individual's CPD.

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The replacement of out of date, often inefficient, high-maintenance air conditioning plant can present a major headache for the end user. Mechanical and performance deficiencies, frequent breakdowns and spiralling maintenance and repair costs can create a nightmare scenario for end users and facilities management companies. At the same time, managers are understandably reluctant to undertake any work that involves prolonged downtime and disruption whilst ripping out the old equipment and starting again from scratch.

Weatherite, the UK's leading roof-top packaged air-conditioning specialists, offers a cost effective, energy saving alternative – direct replacement units.

By replacing old, worn out equipment with a bespoke package from Weatherite, clients can achieve substantial savings in installation costs, downtime and long term energy usage. As a further bonus, replacement systems also deliver a rapid pay back for building owners or end users a like.

Weatherite’s replacement solutions offer significant advantages over many ‘off- the-shelf alternatives. In many cases, current standard equipment may not match the footprint of the existing system or dovetail with existing services. Replacement units, however, provide a technologically advanced solution with all the energy and performance benefits of a new system – plus the bonus that the new equipment will match the existing physical parameters, in terms of footprint, services and ductwork.

There’s more. A Weatherite replacement unit comes with all the rewards of substantial – often spectacular – savings in energy costs and performance. Many of the systems still in situ on rooftops are, by definition, based on technology that is now decades old. Componentry, design and energy efficiency standards have made giant strides in that time. In Weatherite’s case, that means systems that have been designed to achieve key performance criteria for the minimum of capital outlay.

Having new equipment installed, especially if it involves the major structural changes often required to accommodate new units, is inevitably going to cause disruption. However, the bespoke design of a Weatherite system greatly reduces the work involved. Installation is much faster and simpler as the units undergo full testing and pre-commissioning before they leave the factory. The systems are also specifically designed to satisfy the demands of today’s ‘fast-track’ building environments. As the replacement units are designed to fit directly into the footprint of the old unit to be replaced, existing ductwork and services can usually be used, without disruption, saving a great deal of time and cost.

The cost-saving and performance benefits of a direct replacement unit do not end once commissioning has taken place. All facilities managers know that a good preventative maintenance programme will ensure the optimum performance of the air handling system and, of course, maximize cost-savings. Weatherite provides a total package of services that can last for the lifetime of the unit.

Weatherite has produced a new Replacement system brochure highlighting all the benefits associated with replacement systems.

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Mechanical piped services represent a significant proportion of the total build cost in today’s modern buildings. During the design and tender stage of large construction projects, spanning one or two years how much cost can be built into the supply chain to protect against inflationary costs whilst maintaining that competitive edge? The contractor is often left to absorb these unforeseen increases and is at the mercy of the markets which are at best unpredictable! In recent times we have all felt the effects of large % increases in the cost of commodity items such as steel, copper, zinc and oil based plastics, outside of our direct control.

Increasingly, contractors have had to become innovative in their approach to manage and minimse the elements of cost that are within their own direct control. The UK piping market for Building Services, Industrial and Process systems utilises largely screwed, flanged or welded jointing but in light of escalating material and labour costs, coupled with increased concern for operator health and safety and a diminishing skills base, there is a significant uptake in the use of Grinnell’s Grooved Piping System which is now used in many major UK construction projects and offers contractors the opportunity to greatly reduce installation times and therefore recoup a significant portion of their costs when compared to traditional methods:

• Installation times of individual fittings can be 1/10th those of welding
• No hot works
• No maintenance
• Compliments off-site manufacture
• Simple to install

The speed and simplicity of the Grinnell grooved piping system provides a Safer Working Environment, eliminates the requirement for Hot Working, optimises available Labour and operator Skills and compliments other innovative jointing systems being used in smaller sizes. The benefits of a Grooved pipework system can be realised in modular prefabrication techniques as well as in on-site installations.

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Lodge Cottrell use Micronics PF330 Portable clamp-on Flow Meter to substantially reduce commissioning time and fixed installation costs on large scale pollution control plant for coal fired boilers.

Lodge Cottrell is a world-leading supplier of large-scale industrial air pollution control equipment. On a project carried out during 2010 they had a requirement to process the ash extracted from their boiler flue gas treatment system by mixing this with water to form slurry suitable for disposal.

The ash is extracted from the flue gas using an Electrostatic Precipitator with the ash collecting in hoppers, which have varying fill rates determined by the extraction process. These hoppers then feed through to mixers where a specific water flow rate is required to achieve the target slurry consistency from the plant. The plant has 32 water lines with pipe sizes ranging from 18 to 1 inch diameter pipe and the Micronics Portaflo meters were used to accurately measure the water flow rate for the set-up of each mixer section.

The alternative to using the portable meter would have been 32 fixed metering points and as a consequence the use of the portable, clamp-on solution generated substantial benefits in terms of reduced commissioning time – labour and fixed metering point costs, plus the added advantage that the PF330 can be utilised again on other sites with similar requirements.

Having considered various suppliers Lodge Cottrell selected the Micronics – Portaflo PF330 – Time of Flight – portable flow instrument. Portable clamp-on Ultrasonic flow measurement has clear advantages for commissioning/set-up work and Micronics were selected as the supplier due to a combination of their long-term experience with non-invasive, clamp-on technology, product performance and best value.

Project Manager Nigel Dolphin says “The Portaflo PF330 has proved to be a valuable tool for commissioning of the plant water flow lines with considerable time and cost benefits over alternative fixed in-line metering points. The PF330 was simple to set-up/use and the flow measurement performance was good. The product has worked well and the customer service and technical support from Micronics has also been good.”

The potential for re-use by Lodge Cottrell on other plant installations with similar requirements is significant and the project has demonstrated the clear benefits available from using portable, clamp-on, ultrasonic flow metering for temporary flow measurement requirements such as commissioning and set-up of water flow lines. For further information call Micronics on 01628 810456, email sales@micronicsltd.co.uk or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com. For information about air pollution control systems visit www.lodgecottrell.com.

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As SME manufacturers go global, ERP can help them respond quickly to changes in local market demand, improve business processes and benefit from economies of scale. James Flood of Exact examines why smaller manufacturers must match investment in new plants and sites with investment in enterprise business systems

A growing number of medium-sized manufacturers are benefiting from the opportunities afforded by globalisation. Having been adversely affected by the 2008-9 financial and economic crisis, which saw substantial closures and rationalisations, manufacturing SMEs now have the opportunity to drive a return to pre-crisis employment and output levels in the recovery period.

However, globalisation presents many operational challenges, such as a growing patchwork of IT systems, different cultures and business practices, multiple languages, and complex laws in different jurisdictions, to name but a few. Its also important for those with an international presence to be able to respond quickly and uniformly to changes in local market demand. Whereas service-led firms are able to overcome many of the barriers to international business via electronic means, manufacturers face the considerable task of coordinating the movement of physical goods and resources – whether personnel, raw materials or finished products – between sites, across borders and time zones in a timely manner.

And as they take in new sites, SME manufacturers will have to be just as effective as their larger counterparts in consolidating and exploiting their operations as a single global resource. This ensures their ability to pool capacities to meet orders, rationalise stock and supply across sites, and benefit from economies of scale when bidding for new business and negotiating contracts with suppliers. At the same time, smaller players must operate within the constraints of available budget.

There is general consensus that as the global recession eases, there will be a significant increase in ERP project activity as organisations reactivate postponed technology investment programmes and position themselves to take advantage of the economic upturn. Those getting a firm grasp of international operations, being responsive to changes in international markets and responsive to emerging markets as they crop up will be best placed to benefit from the ongoing process of globalisation.

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Market-leading loading and unloading equipment specialists Thorworld Industries Ltd has achieved the prestigious SAFEcontractor accreditation in recognition of its high standards of health and safety practices.

Under the independent SAFEcontractor scheme, businesses undergo a vetting process which examines their health and safety procedures and track record for safe practice.

Only those companies that meet the very highest standards are accepted into the scheme. Accredited contractors are then included on a database enabling member organisations to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on-site. What’s more, these users agree that they will only engage those contractors who have received accreditation.

The SAFEcontractor scheme has been running since 1999 and a wealth of well-known names have signed up to use the scheme to vet contractors, including Nestle, Kellogg, Debenhams and Virgin to name but a few. Thorworld managing director John Meale said: “Health and safety is vitally important to us, in everything we do – it’s a fundamental keystone of our business from initial product design and development through to manufacturing and installation.

“SAFEcontractor accreditation allows us to further demonstrate our positive commitment to health and safety, confirming to prospective customers that we have all the right systems and procedures firmly in place.”

Thorworld is firmly established as one of the foremost designers, manufacturers and suppliers to the loading bay and materials handling sectors and is recognised as both a market leader and innovator in the supply of quality engineered equipment.

BSI registered with ISO 9002 accreditation since 1992, it was one of the first companies in the industry to achieve the latest international quality management ISO 9001 (2008) standard, and now has an extensive list of prestige customers across a wide range of industries and business types, including distribution, logistics, transport, retail, food, drink, manufacturing, industry, waste management and recycling and the service sector.

Thorworld provides a one-stop, single source for the UK’s widest range of high quality loading bay and materials handling equipment, safety aids and accessories, including dock seals and shelters, dock levellers, modular loading docks, dock plates and boards, dock and vehicle bumpers, wheel chocks, vehicle restraints, traffic lights, dock lights, wheel guides and alignment curbs, access ramps, trailer safety jacks and mobile yardramps – (yardramps are available for purchase or rental on a sale or return basis through the company’s RentARamp division) – together with the Truckloada mobile yardlift and the Dockloada scissor lift platform.

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It’s taken a long time and a lot of hard work but we have done it. PTS have launched what is probably the most comprehensive online Stainless Steel Fastener webshop available. Offering our full range of Metric and Unified threaded fastener in both A2 and A4 material. Customers will be able to log on and use the full customer portal to view activity and retrieve documents, they can even place order and repeat previous orders. Full technical data and specifications are available to view online. Why not take a look www.stainlesssteelfasteners.biz

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Tesco DCs

An innovative hi-tech management reporting and safety system designed to prevent the premature departure of vehicles from the loading bay is set to be installed at the Goods In section of every one of Tesco’s distribution centres across the UK.

The supermarket is investing in the Dock Management System, which was jointly developed by UK firms Easilift Loading Systems and Traka, after it impressed during a pilot scheme at Tesco’s distribution centre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

The system combines Easilift's dock door and associated control equipment with Traka's electronic key control system and was tailored to complement Tesco's existing safety processes, creating a high-tech solution to the problem of vehicle drive-off accidents.

The Dock Management System works by using electronic keys – known as iFobs –each containing a unique electronic chip, which is individually programmed to open or close one specific door when inserted into a control panel.

At Hinckley, the system is now an integral part of a robust protocol whereby drivers are required to hand in their ignition keys when they arrive at the Goods In office. The keys are clipped to an iFob, which is inserted into the main Traka control panel, allowing a corresponding iFob to be removed and handed to the driver.

Only then is it possible to open the bay door, when an authorised operative inserts their personal iFob into a secondary control panel located adjacent to each door.

Once loading or unloading is complete, the operative closes the door. This sends a message to the Goods In control box, permitting the removal of the driver’s keys – but only after the deposit iFob is inserted back into the box.

Tesco trialled the Dock Management System at 26 Goods In loading bays at the Hinckley depot. The bays are used by between 300 and 400 vehicles each day, many of which arrive from overseas, representing a stern test for the new Easilift system.

“We have an excellent safety record at Hinckley, but worker safety is paramount and there is always room for improvement,” said Joe Carthy, distribution health and safety manager for Tesco UK and Ireland.

“It was important therefore that the system was tested in the Goods In section, where we deal with a high volume of drivers, many of whom will be unfamiliar with the layout.

“If the system worked there, we knew that it would be able to achieve our objectives at other loading bays too.”

Fitting the system involved surface-mounting cabling on the inside of the exterior walls and linking 26 individual boxes stationed next to each loading bay door with the control panel in the Goods In office.

“The Easilift Dock Management System was attractive to us because by using control boxes and indicator lights, it lessens the chance of human error,” said Joe.

“This was a limited trial, but the results were fantastic. The system was easy to operate and to understand, and it took a huge amount of human element out of the process. Importantly, it made people feel safe and put them at ease.”

Although the system was developed with a health and safety angle in mind, it has a whole range of other benefits. The system minimises the amount of time the door is open – which can save money and reduce carbon footprints for chilled distribution centres – and, furthermore, can provide an audit trail, logging who used what door and for how long.

This can not only improve efficiency and assist companies in tracking down any missing stock, but can also help with servicing costs. By using the information recorded within the system and the reports generated, a company can devise a servicing programme which takes into account how much the door is used over a set period of time.

The Dock Management System can be easily retro-fitted to virtually any loading bay door and will now be installed in all of Tesco's distribution centres, representing what David Whyatt, sales director at Easilift Loading Systems, described as an excellent way to launch the product onto the market.

He added: “We are thrilled that Tesco has agreed to roll out the Dock Management System UK-wide and by doing so has shown great foresight by investing in a solution which has the potential to cut out serious accidents.

“There could have been no tougher test for the system than to trial it at Hinckley, which is an extremely busy depot where any shortcomings in the system would have been very quickly highlighted.

“It is testament to the technology and expertise at Easilift Loading Systems and Traka that the system proved itself to be watertight and demonstrated that it goes further than any other system on the market to offer peace of mind.”

With 35 years’ experience in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of high quality loading bay equipment and industrial doors, Easilift Loading Systems is the UK’s leading specialist supplier of total loading bay solutions to some of the biggest names in retailing, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, warehousing, building, construction and the service sector.

In addition to its unique new Dock Management – Anti Drive-Off System, the company provides a complete range of loading bay equipment, including dock levellers, dock shelters & seals, industrial & high speed doors, and lifting platforms, together with a wide selection of safety aids & accessories such as dock plates, dock bumpers, dock & traffic lights, wheel guides & vehicle restraints, and integrated control systems. Easilift also provides comprehensive service and maintenance programmes for all makes and types of loading bay equipment – irrespective of the manufacturer.

Easilift was also one of the pioneers in the design and installation of dock pod systems, which are complete stand-alone loading bay enclosures that can be installed directly onto the external face of a building. Suitable for new buildings, extensions and refurbishments, they can be quickly and easily re-positioned, if required, and are ideal for use with the increasingly popular and highly cost-effective double deck trailer units.

As the UK’s leading loading bay specialist, Easilift was one of the first in its sector to achieve the prestigious SAFEcontractor accreditation in recognition of its excellent health & safety record and competence, confirming to prospective customers that effective policies and systems are in place.

Easilift is a member of the Loading Systems International Group, one of Europe’s foremost manufacturers of loading bay equipment. The Group has over 450 employees across Europe and a total turnover in excess of 60 million Euros.

An active member of the Association of Loading & Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM) and the Confederation of Construction Specialists, Easilift operates to the International ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard. The company has Investors In People Bronze status accreditation and is a participant in the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), with all its engineers fully qualified under the CITB Site Supervisory Training Scheme.

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