MDC Update September 09
Mon, 07 Sep 2009
DSEi: Come and See Us!
The Marine Design Centre team would be pleased to see you on their stand at the Defence Systems & Equipment International exhibition at Excel, London, on 8th - 11th September 2009.
The Marine Design Centre will be on stand 1667, alongside sister organisation NDI.DSEi is the world's largest fully integrated defence and security exhibition, bringing together senior international trade and military experts from across the entire supply chain in an optimal business environment. For more information, click here.
Why not make an appointment to visit our stand?
Email info@marinedesigncentre.com to set up a meeting.
Event: Face the Press
Your Opportunity To Meet The UK’s Top Marine And Shipping Journalists
1st Date: Monday 5th October 2009, Marine Design Centre
We are delighted to announce that the Marine Design Centre is to host a series of visits to the region by marine sector journalists to meet member companies with a view to featuring them in their publications. This is a great opportunity for members to showcase their expertise in key markets and to heighten brand awareness.The first event in this series is a visit from Duncan Payne who works across the following journals – Marine Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery, Passenger Ship Technology, Tanker Shipping and Trade and LNG World Shipping.
Duncan will be visiting the Marine Design Centre on Monday 5th October and we would like to hear from members who believe that the journals he covers are of interest to them and would like to meet him.
Please contact simon.ellis@marinedesigncentre.com or 0191 255 1710.
Future Face the Press events will be confirmed soon.
Higher Skills Initiative – Breaking News
University of Teesside To Deliver Sector-Specific Foundation Degree
The Higher Skills Initiative, developed by the Marine Design Centre and funded by ONE North East, with the objective of dramatically increasing the skills levels within the sector, is set to take a giant step forwards this month, with the selection of Teesside University as our partner of choice for accrediting industry-based learning with the development of a Foundation Degree in Marine and Energy Design Engineering.
John Lockey, Business Development Manager for the Marine Design Centre, said: “The qualification will be delivered in bite-sized modules, based on professional work-place competencies. Every individual will have their own plan focused on achieving learning outcomes using the competencies that they require specific to their own business.
Engineering will be covered using a supported open learning approach and a flexible menu of short courses which will, for example, allow employees to develop skills in CAD, structural steelwork, FEA, pipework, materials etc. Employees will apply these skills to case studies in their own and other organisations.
“The Higher Skills Initiative is now moving forward at great pace with over 40 companies actively involved.”
If you'd like to find out more about opportunities within this project, please contact John Lockey on john.lockey@marinedesigncentre.com or 0191 255 1710.
Member News...
Stauff in Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2009
We are delighted to report that MDC member Stauff is a finalist in the Innovation category for its pipe clamp PPDA in the Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2009.
The prestigious event takes place in London this week with 22 awards to be presented to industry luminaries from all elements of the maritime business.
The Innovation category goes to a firm or individual which has developed a new application - either in hardware or software - which provides a clear and meaningful advance for the shipping industry. Stauff's PPDA clamp, developed in partnership with BVT Surface Fleet for use on the Type 45 programme, is manufactured from a zero halogen, low toxicity, non-conductive compound fully approved for use by the UK MoD. Around 30,000 clamps will be used on each of the 6 Type 45 destroyers.
Stauff has also won an order last month to supply 15,000 unique PPDA design clamps for use on the Astute submarine Boat 4.
Simon Ellis, business development manager at the Marine Design Centre, said: “We wish the team at Stauff all the very best for the final – getting to it is a great achievement in itself. We have long known that Stauff is a top class company and the fact that it is in the final of such prestigious Awards comes as little surprise to us.”
Expansion at Wavespec
MDC member Wavespec is expanding its capability to deliver its range of products available to the worldwide offshore industry, particularly to dynamic positioning (DP) vessels, through a managerial restructure and expansion to its global office network.
Wavespec, a leading provider of marine engineering services, has made important changes to its management team, with the promotion of two of its experienced senior engineers. Andy Bright has become Manager, Marine Projects and Ted Brooking has been appointed as Manager, Offshore and DP.
The company has a wealth of experience in carrying out DP audits and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) studies on all kinds of offshore vessel, from offshore supply vessels and anchor handlers, to the most sophisticated deepwater drilling ships and accommodation vessels. These latest moves further augment Wavespec's service delivery to its expanding global market.
Malaysian Navy order for Solar Solve
South Shields-based Solar Solve Marine has recently dispatched its first order for SOLASOLV world class anti-glare roller screens to the Malaysian Navy - won by its world wide distributor based in Malaysia against stiff competition. The screens will be installed at all of the wheelhouse windows on the KD LEKIR.
One of two German-built Kasturi class frigates that were delivered in the early 1980s, KD LEKIR was chosen for the Malaysian Navy Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which is aimed at extending the life of some vessels in the fleet by 10 years. As well as the new roller screens for the navigation bridge windows that will reject glare, heat and uv light, the vessel will also receive other significant items of equipment including radar and fire control upgrades.
Solar Solve’s Managing Director, Julie Lightfoot, said: “After several years of searching we have managed to find an active company in Malaysia that is committed to Solar Solve and its products and has the necessary attitude, ability and determination to win. The Malaysian Navy has been a very difficult customer to win over but now that we have we are confident that we stand an excellent chance of becoming a main supplier thanks to the efforts of our partner representative in the country.”
CSD Wins Carrier Contract from BVT Surface Fleet
CSD Sealing Systems, of Northumberland, have just supplied their first order of material for sealing pipe transits on the first of the two aircraft carriers to be built for the the Royal Navy by BVT Surface Fleet.
This sees its strong relationship continue with the Royal Navy having worked on all of its new build projects since 1999. Projects have included the LPD, AO and Astute vessels built by BAE Systems in Barrow and the River Class vessels built by VT Shipbuilding in Portsmouth, as well as being well underway with supply for ship four, HMS Dragon, of the six Type 45 destroyers currently in build, where CSD have supplied its RISE Transit System and CSD Sealing Plugs to seal all pipe and cable penetrations throughout the T45 programme.
The Type 45s are some of the most powerful destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy – they can sail over 600 miles a day and operate around the globe and will support global offensive and peacekeeping operations, combat drug smugglers and deliver humanitarian aid. The success CSD has had with its products during this ship build programme has led to their inclusion on the CVF aircraft carrier programme.
...While the First Carrier Units Arrive in Rosyth
The first shipment of component units for the new aircraft carrier arrived in Rosyth last week, marking the start of the first stages in the assembly process for the massive 65,000 tonne vessels, being undertaken by Babcock.This first transportation, from Babcock’s site at Appledore, Devon, consists of 11 fabricated units and two flat pack units for the first of the two Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carriers’ sponson blocks. Each carrier will have 12 different sponsons which form part of the ship structure to provide a wider flight deck.This is the first of some 20 shipments from Appledore to Rosyth for each of the two vessels, including two shipments for the LB01 sub blocks, 12 shipments for sponson units, and four shipments for centre block units. For the first carrier these shipments will take place at various intervals between August 2009 and January 2012.
PDMS Training Courses
We are pleased to announce our next PDMS training courses, in conjunction with AVEVA.
PDMS Equipment & Piping Design: 26 - 30 October 2009
PDMS Steelwork Design: 16 - 20 November 2009
PDMS Equipment & Piping Design: 14 - 18 December 2009
For full details of these courses please click here.
For further details please contact us on 0191 255 1710 or email info@marinedesigncentre.com
Please contact MDC if you have other training requirements for PDMS or other CAD packages. If we have sufficient demand for particular courses we will endeavour to arrange the appropriate training!
Boat Builder Makes Waves Down Under
Congratulations to Alnmaritec which has sold its first boat to Australia.
Based in Alnwick, the company built the Wave Train for South Sea Logistics Ltd (SSL) based in Geraldton, Western Australia. The boat has been leased from SSL by a major corporation in the iron ore sector and is currently being used for duties such as crew transfer, pilotage and line handling.
SSL was so impressed with the Wave Train that it has become Alnmaritec's agents in the country.The boat is a customised version of the popular Wave Angler class of vessel from Alnmaritec.
Alnmaritec managing director Chris Millman said: "I am really very pleased to have sold a boat to Australia and to hear that she has been performing so well. I am also delighted that the owners think so much of the new boat that they have decided to become our agents in the country, we are very hopeful that this will lead to future orders."
Business Opportunity
Continuing our series marking the launch of the MDC Contracts & Tenders system, highlighting one opportunity from the database in each news update....Scottish Government: Annual Vessel Re-fit & Engine Re-fit for FPV Norna
The following 2 contracts are available for tender:Annual Vessel Re-fitDrydocking & undocking of ship to facilitate works including but not limited to preparation of ship, machinery and safety equipment for Flag & Class surveys. Renewal & repair of internal & external hull paint & coatings. Repairs to ships mechanical plant & equipment. Electrical inspections and maintenance. General cleaning and lubrication.Annual Vessel Engine Re-fitEngine maintenance work, including change of one cylinder liner, routine overhaul of fuel injection equipment, water pumps and vibration damper survey.
If you would like further information about this opportunity or the MDC Contracts & Tenders system, please contact Simon Ellis on 0191 255 1710 or simon.ellis@marinedesigncentre.com
Meet the Member!
Continuing our new regular feature, meeting some of the key personalities in MDC member companies. This month, RCID Chief Executive, Ron Jamieson, answers our questions.
Established in 1995 as a commercial spin-out from Newcastle University, RCID is a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy whose expertise covers mechanical, electrical and electronic systems design, product development and software engineering. Services include mechanical design (including Finite Element Analysis), electrical and electronic analysis and design in a number of different sectors.
What is your favourite pub or restaurant?
The Golden Lion in Allendale. It’s my local and where the ‘Allendale Singers’ practice with a pint.
What car do you drive?
Honda Civic
How do you relax?
I do a lot of DIY on the house and a barn my wife creates ceramics in.
Where is your favourite holiday location?
The next one, I like variety and visiting new places.
Which country would you never wish to return to?
None really they all have their highlights.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Many things. I like the humour in shows like ‘Not The 9 O’Clock News’ when Paul Merton goes into auto rant. I’ve recently become hooked on ‘Four Weddings’ for some of the madcap ideas and reactions of the contestants and because I need to see what my daughter is setting me up for!
What was the last film you saw at the cinema and when?
Being ERIC about three weeks ago. Not the best I’ve seen but the best on offer that particular Thursday evening.
What’s your ideal job, other than your current one?
It might be interesting to be a dictator for a while…but I might lose my head!
What is your greatest business achievement?
I have to say growing the RCID and the KTPU into stable and self supporting units supporting a variety of interesting companies and projects.
What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?
Keep the client happy, exceed their expectation but keep a close eye on your income and expenditure.
And the worst?
Go for a grant and offer free advice.
How do you keep fit?
Squash, Golf on Sunday mornings and for this year only… The great North Run. I’m supporting Alzheimer’s so if you want to help with this plague visit: http://www.justgiving.com/ronjamieson
What’s your most irritating habit?
Forgetting names but I never forget a face.
Which company do you most admire and why?
Honestly it’s the local SMEs created and owned by local entrepreneurs. It takes Balls to strike out on your own and create employment for others.
How would you like people to perceive your business?
As a good professional cost effective service specialising in new and improved product design.