Eastington-based Arc Energy Resources – one of the UK's leading specialists in weld overlay cladding and quality assured fabrication services – will once again be supporting this year's Stroud Festival of Manufacturing & Engineering and hopes to encourage pupils from the county's local schools and colleges to choose a career in engineering.
Director Rosemary Robinson is proud of the skilled engineers the company has assembled, a team that is qualified to internationally recognised standards and specifications, and capable of delivering quality products from enquiry to delivery and the service beyond.
Explaining the company's approach to people management, Rosemary says that if Arc Energy Resources is to maintain its standards and plan for the future, it is essential to continue to recruit and train skilled staff. "Recruiting and training has proved a major challenge recently. A decade ago there was a pool of skilled staff who moved between companies, many of them having served apprenticeships in large organisations." says Rosemary. "Today this resource no longer exists. Manufacturing became unfashionable with government and education and was allowed to decline. Fewer apprenticeships were served, fewer students entered engineering and, as experienced engineers retired there were fewer, new engineers trained to replace them."
Since last year, Gloucestershire Engineering Training has begun to offer welding and fabrication apprenticeships in Gloucester, which, thanks to its accessibility, they have been very happy to take advantage of by sponsoring their latest apprentice, Tyron Cleaver who has started his first year there.
A recent success for Arc Energy Resources is Charlie Fryer who, at just 14, enjoyed a week's work experience with the company in 2005. Encouraged by the 'experience', Charlie applied for and was accepted for an apprenticeship at Arc Energy Resources on leaving school. And in July 2013, having undergone extensive on- and off-site training and an often intensive course at Gloucester College, Charlie completed his apprenticeship and is now employed by the company as a Project Engineer. And the story doesn't end there because Charlie, now 23, has completed an HND in Mechanical Engineering and is now working towards a degree. Lee Crosbee (22) and Kieran Kellett (24) have continued with their apprenticeships in Fabrication and Welding.
Summarising, Rosemary Robinson explains that the skills and experience the Arc Energy Resources team brings to the company is invaluable in ensuring that it remains the partner of choice for the supply of weld overlay cladding and complex weld fabrications.
If you're considering a career in engineering, Arc Energy Resources will be exhibiting at the Stroud Festival of Manufacturing & Engineering on 24th November at Stroud Leisure Centre and will be on hand to offer advice.
Q8Oils has introduced Q8 Baroni XUP, an ‘Ultra Performance’ soluble cutting fluid specially formulated to be cost-effective in arduous machining operations using the most demanding materials.
Commenting for Q8Oils, Mick Doxford says the new semi-synthetic, chlorine- and boron-free Q8 Baroni XUP features a unique combination of synthetic lubricity additives that provides outstanding performance in operations where conventional fluids will fail. He adds that the unique lubricity additives significantly reduce long-term costs by improving machining efficiency, minimising reject rates and providing an overall reduction in tooling costs.
This also means that in severe situations where neat cutting oils would normally be specified, rationalisation is feasible without compromising surface finish or tool life. With outstanding wetting and detergency characteristics, Q8 Baroni XUP ensures excellent tramp oil rejection to provide fluid stability and long sump life in soft and hard water areas. It also minimises residue build-up in hard water areas. These features also combine to provide very real operator benefits by improving visibility and helping to create a much cleaner, healthier working environment.
Designed for a wide range of machining operations, including milling, turning, drilling and deep-hole drilling, threading, reaming and broaching; Q8 Baroni XUP is ideal for arduous machining applications using materials such as yellow metals, high-tensile steels, stainless steels, aluminium alloys, titanium and heat resistant alloys.
Q8 Baroni XUP’s unrivalled combination of multi-metal compatibility and machine-material versatility is reinforced with a highly-effective, anti-corrosion package ensuring maximum protection to machine tools and components.
In addition, a highly stable micro-emulsion formed by Q8 Baroni XUP, extends fluid life and minimises the need for fluid changeover, helping to further reduce overall fluid costs. Its low-foaming properties also minimises spillages and, being free from chlorinated paraffins, requires no environmental labelling.
For further information on Q8 Baroni XUP and Q8Oils’ range of industrial oils, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555.
Q8Oils UK sales and marketing manager Mick Doxford explains how recent developments in specialised lubricants for agricultural equipment can help farmers prepare for the coming harvest.
To maximise machine and equipment performance during harvesting periods, especially when time is of the essence and the working environment can include a combination of inclement weather, dirt, crop dust, etc., specially-formulated agricultural lubricants can play a vital role.
Long working hours in difficult weather and heavy-going ground conditions increases service demands on agricultural equipment and the oils, lubricants and greases used to protect engines, transmissions and other components. In order to reduce downtime during harvesting it is essential to minimise wear in the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems of farm vehicles to limit breakdowns and minimise maintenance.
Lubricants manufacturers need to meet the challenging environments and working practices of modern agricultural machinery such as combines, compactors, tractors and diggers. They also need to be flexible enough to consider the constraints of their ultimate customers – the farmers themselves – which can be as basic as product costs and service life, and as demanding as stockholding, service intervals and reducing maintenance requirements.
A key requirement for the engine oils used in farm machinery is to comply with the stringent requirements of the Association of Constructors of European Automobiles (ACEA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) to ensure that they perform to the specifications required of vehicles currently in production, and meet the requirements of leading agricultural machinery manufacturers such as Claas, Massey Ferguson and John Deere. To comply with the most demanding agricultural operations, lubricants based on high quality, hydro-finished base oils are available.
These are subjected to a unique process that removes any remaining impurities, rendering them clear, pure and highly oxidation stable. This ensures that oils maintain colour, viscosity and, most importantly, product integrity in order to prolong engine and transmission life. Such products also improve health and safety in the vehicles and maintenance workshops by minimising oil mist contamination in the working environment.
Especially popular with small, medium and large scale agricultural operations are the latest generation of universal oils and lubricants, which offer farmers and plant operators the opportunity to stock a single versatile product for vehicles and machinery. Products have been developed with the properties necessary to provide highly-effective lubrication for engines, transmissions and final drives, and complementary hydraulic fluids are also available for brake and clutch systems.
The obvious benefits of universal lubricants is the reduction in storage and handling costs, the prevention and protection provided against equipment corrosion and rust, friction plate wear and the formation of foam. Universal engine oils are also suitable for both diesel and petrol engines, further reducing stock holding.
Premium universal lubricants, formulated using synthetic base oils and additives, are recommended to provide lubrication and protection for engines, wet brakes, transmissions and hydraulics in high-performance agricultural tractors and other farming equipment, including off-highway vehicles. Universal products are also available to reduce the possibility of the wrong oil being selected.
Heavy duty Euro IV & V engines are best filled with high-performance, low SAPS, synthetic engine oils to ensure protection against bore polishing, cam wear and to prevent engine fouling due to combustion soot. When choosing these oils, which need to be ACEA approved, make sure a ‘double drain’ formulation is specified that will extend oil drain intervals, significantly reduce maintenance costs and help to increase vehicle workshop efficiency. To further optimise performance throughout agricultural operations, and to maintain cost and storage savings, complementary greases and transmission, hydraulic and chain oils are usually available to meet the same high standards as the engine oils. Another benefit of oils, lubricants and greases specially developed for the agricultural operating environment is the opportunity to improve fuel consumption.
As agricultural lubricants are developed for specialist vehicles and environments, manufacturers need to provide help and advice on their application and handling, so make sure a technical support team is available for field visits (pun intended!) and telephone contact to ensure the correct product is specified for every machine and environment.
Today, technical help lines are available to assist with product recommendations, OEM approvals, product information, health and safety data, problem solving advice, trouble shooting and highly-specialised after sales packages such as used oil test analysis that can give instant diagnostic advice and support if required. Where necessary, laboratory analysis should also be available to support problem solving, and are often backed up with technical reports detailing corrective action.
Q8Oils is celebrating following two successful race weekends for Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils Racing, the British Formula 1 Sidecar team the company is sponsoring for the 2013 season.
In its latest British Formula 1 Sidecar Championship race held at Donington Park on 24th to 26th May, the team competed alongside FIM World Superbike Championship teams to qualify second on the grid for Race 1 on Saturday. Sean Hegarty and Calum Lawson made a great start and, after the second turn, managed to take the lead from Team JH Racing. Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils (HLR) retained this lead despite many attempts from current Championship leaders Steinhausen/Cluze and finished the race a clear five seconds ahead, putting HLR and its LCR Suzuki in pole position for Race 2 on Sunday.
Sunday saw another great start for HLR and a real spectacle for the crowds as they battled for position with Steinhausen/Cluze and Team JH Racing. In chasing the leaders, Sean and Calum set the fastest lap and eventually finished second, gaining valuable points and moving them up to second place in the Championship.
Commenting for Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils Racing, driver Sean Hegarty says that despite not achieving the double win, the team is incredibly happy with the weekend’s results and is looking forward to Knockhill for round four of the British Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship on 14th to 16th June.
Prior to the team’s success at Donington Park, HLR entered its first ‘wildcard’ event of the season, a Dutch Championship race at the Hengelo road race circuit in Holland. Arriving on the Friday afternoon, Sean and Calum tested the bike over seven laps and, following the first session on the Saturday morning, managed to take pole position after just six laps. The team continued to dominate the event, maintaining pole into the first corner, breaking the lap record on lap two and continuing to pull clear of the field to win the race 18 seconds ahead of its closest rival.
Commenting for Q8Oils, automotive sales manager Andy Harris says: “Everyone at Q8Oils is delighted with these results and would like to congratulate Sean and Calum on their recent performances. Two victories and a second place are also fantastic results for the Q8 team in Leeds as they prove that Q8 Moto SBK Racing10W-50 engine oil has what it takes to compete in a Championship that has, for so many years, been dominated by a single motor oil supplier.”
Q8 Moto SBK Racing is a very high quality, synthetic 10W-50 motorcycle engine oil designed specifically for high-performance four-stroke engines with wet or dry clutches. Developed by Q8Oils for racing, road and off-road use, it provides superior levels of protection, while helping to maintain engine power.
Q8Oils has introduced a fuel-economy-improving, ultra-high-performance SAE 5W-20 synthetic engine oil to meet Ford’s latest M2C 948-B specification for EcoBoost engines.
The low viscosity Q8 Formula Exclusive Eco 5W-20 passenger car motor oil has been specially developed by Q8Oils for Ford EU’s vehicles with normally aspirated or turbo-charged gasoline engines requiring a low SAPS engine oil. The new engine oil meets Ford M2C 948-B and ACEA C1 and A5/B5-07 specifications, is suitable for Euro V EcoBoost engine types and is backwards compatible with Ford M2C 925-B applications.
Commenting for Q8Oils, automotive manager Andy Harris says: “Developed for the latest generation Euro V Ford EcoBoost engines, Q8 Formula Exclusive Eco 5W-20 can deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to 0.9% or more over the previous Ford M2C 925-B specification. For our end users, it offers longer drain interval capabilities, excellent engine performance under all driving conditions and outstanding protection against foam formation, rust and corrosion.”
He goes onto say that the introduction of the Formula Exclusive Eco 5W-20 engine oil adds to an already comprehensive range of automotive products from Q8Oils that includes transmission oils, hydraulic brake and clutch oils, greases and coolants.
The new engine oil is suitable for use with Ford’s three-cylinder 1.0 litre and four-cylinder 1.6 and 2.0 litre EcoBoost engines, which form a key part of Ford’s ECOnetic portfolio that is designed to improve torque and power while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The engines were initially launched in 2011 and are available on most models in the Ford EU range including the new Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX and Mondeo models.
For further information on Formula Exclusive Eco 5W-20 from Q8Oils and its range of passenger car motor oils, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555
Advanced Insulation (www.aisplc.com)
Since its formation in 2007, Advanced Insulation has become a single source provider for insulation and fire protection systems to the oil and gas industry, and represents one of the most respected and progressive names in topside and subsea insulation worldwide.
Advanced Insulation offers a wide range of products to meet the growing demand for fire protection and thermal insulation systems adaptable for elevated service temperatures and pressures.
AL-KO Kober (www.al-ko-co.uk)
Since 1931, AL-KO Kober has been manufacturing premium, high quality components used in the Automotive, Commercial and Leisure industry.
The extensive range of chassis components, premium accessories and spare parts are engineered to last, ensuring whatever product you have purchased, you will benefit from the generations of development and enjoy a lifetime of service.
Arc Energy Resources (www.arcenergy.co.uk)
Arc Energy Resources is one of the UK’s leading specialists in weld overlay cladding and fabrication for the oil & gas industry. The company’s expertise provides protection against corrosion and wear for a variety of process and pipeline equipment for use in any hostile environment.
The company recently made a major investment in two new Rotating Head welding machines costing £500,000. This has increased productivity and extended the size and scope of work it can handle, which now includes complicated component geometries for the full or partial cladding and fabrication of a huge range of component sizes weighing up to 15 tonnes. The company’s in-house designed cladding workstations feature state-of-the-art control systems developed to suit its customer’s specialised engineering requirements, and can clad bores up to four metres diameter and areas of restricted access within bores as small as 20mm diameter. Arc Energy also offers in-house test weld, heat treatment, PMI and NDT facilities.
Industry certifications include ISO 9001:2008 quality management, ISO 3834-2 fusion welding of metallic materials, and the internationally renowned ASME U and R Stamps, as well as ISO 14001:2004 environment management, Investors in People and OHSAS 18001:2007 Health & Safety management system.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Group, which includes the legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls, is a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems which enable customer specific solutions for on- and off-highway vehicles. These include medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, construction and agricultural vehicles, materials handling, and other specialty vehicles, as well as sophisticated wheelchairs and scooters for medical mobility.
We are a leading provider of electronic throttle controls, transmission shifters and sensors for commercial off-highway equipment and heavy trucks, so helping to address the long-term trend towards attaining higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. We also supply operator controls and advanced motor controllers for hybrid and electric vehicles, such as buses, forklift trucks, pallet stackers, wheelchairs and rehabilitation chairs.
With a proud legacy spanning more than 85 years, Curtiss-Wright is a global innovative company that delivers highly-engineered, critical-function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, we have a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships.
Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Industrial website (www.cw-industrialgroup.com) or by calling +44 (0)1202 034000.
Euchner (UK) Limited (www.euchner.co.uk)
Safety for people, machines and products has been the maxim of this family-owned company since 1953. Stefan Euchner is the third generation to take the helm.
As specialists in industrial safety engineering, Euchner develops and manufactures products and solutions tailored to the requirements of customers from a wide range of sectors. Using its guards on machines and installations helps to minimise hazards and risks, which in turn protects people and processes. For its 800 employees around the world, safety is the watchword.
Further information is available from the Euchner (UK) Limited website (www.euchner.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)114 256 0123.
Industry Superstore (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk)
Industry Superstore is a one-stop-shop for a wealth of budget-friendly, high-quality products tailored to industry!
Further information is available from the Industry Superstore website (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)1892 664499.
Exmac Automation Limited has many years experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment for most industry sectors.
Exmac Automation is part of the MacDonald Humfrey group of companies and are market leaders in the supply of automated materials handling equipment to the automotive, aerospace, white goods, warehouse & distribution, nuclear, pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.
The group supplies to most industry sectors and have over 250 employees with many years experience in the design, manufacture and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment.
Projects have ranged from individual standard conveyors and bespoke handling applications, through to complete turnkey contracts involving conceptual and process design, installation and commissioning.
We are ISO 9001 accredited and constantly strive to achieve continuous improvements in the overall quality of our products and service.
Exmac Automation has has established a reputation for supplying high quality, robust systems at competitive prices.
In-house resources enable us to provide clients with a single source for complete systems integration including simulation, engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, controls, installation & commissioning and after sales service.
Our 70,000 sq ft facility in Worcester has extensive design, manufacturing and assembly resources. Our skilled team of customer focussed automation professionals offers a broad base of knowledge and experience in a wide variety of industries.
A large workshop enables us to carry out comprehensive pre-installation assembly and factory acceptance tests on all projects.
Fulton Limited (www.fulton.co.uk)
The Fulton name has been synonymous with steam since the company first introduced the vertical tubeless steam boiler in 1949 and Fulton was established in Bristol in 1966. Fulton is still one of the world’s leading manufacturers, producing an unrivalled range of multi-fuel steam boilers. But increasingly these are ordered by customers as part of bespoke turnkey systems designed to meet exacting specifications.
Today Fulton Limited is an important design and manufacturing base in Fulton’s global network that also includes production facilities in the USA and China. The company’s UK facility makes it possible to manufacture products more efficiently and assemble completed units for whenever and wherever they are needed throughout the UK and in export markets.
Once just a steam boiler manufacturer, Fulton now specialises in ready-to-ship skid mounted and fully packaged boiler plant rooms to meet the current demand for off-site fabrication. The company puts great emphasis in providing sales and application advice and a full commissioning and after sales service to a growing customer base in hospital and healthcare facilities, food and beverage processing, laundries and other applications.
Design and manufacturing resources are shared and coordinated around the world, but no matter where your product originates, it will always be produced to the highest quality in a facility that is wholly owned and managed by the Fulton Group, which remains a privately owned family business.
Fulton’s heating and hot water systems can be delivered as fully prefabricated plant rooms or complete skid-mounted units, built to fit a prepared location and connect direct to your services.
Using the latest CAD equipment its design team can accommodate the most sophisticated engineering specifications in surprisingly compact spaces, locating components in the best possible position to suit the installation.
In every sense, today’s Fulton boiler systems are solutions that fit the requirements of the modern age of steam.
Gast Group (www.gastmfg.com / www.jun-air.com)
Since 1921, Gast Manufacturing, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing quality air-moving products. Our vacuum pumps, compressors, air motors, gear motors, vacuum generators, regenerative blowers and Smart Air technology meet the many challenging applications of OEMs and end-users worldwide.
For industrial manufacturing, health care lab, or environmental cleanup applications, Gast provides a full range of ideally suited and cost-effective solutions to any pneumatic problem.
Monodraught (www.monodraught.com)
In the current climate of soaring energy prices and the fear of global warming, increasing attention is being focused on Monodraught’s range of energy-free products.
Monodraught has always sought to invent, explore and develop innovative technologies that harness the wind and sun. Products include Windcatchers, Sunpipes, Suncatchers, Sola-vents, Sola-boosts and Cool-phase.
Nexen Lift Trucks (www.nexenlifttrucks.com)
Disillusioned with the ever-increasing complexity of new forklift trucks and the failure of the major manufacturers to provide a high level of support to their dealer networks, the decision was taken to develop its own range of forklifts.
In 2003 Nexen Lift Trucks was established with the vision to design and manufacture its own range with a combined 70 years experience of the lift truck rental industry. Nexen's ultimate goal is to build worldwide brand recognition based on its product's design and build quality as well as outstanding reliability at competitive prices.
In 2007 Nexen completed the purchase of the second largest lift truck manufacturer in Taiwan, creating the Nexen Motor Corporation. Initially the existing models were improved whilst a European based design team was established to develop a completely new range of trucks from the ground up to meet Nexen's standards.
Q8Oils (www.Q8Oils.co.uk / @Q8OilsUK)
Q8Oils has become a major player in the global lubricants market. Our success is founded on significant corporate resources, a commitment to product development and uncompromising standards of quality and service.
Q8Oils has a unique and innovative approach producing some of the world´s finest quality lubricants. Manufactured in its state of the art plant at Leeds, West Yorkshire, Q8Oils represent the very best and latest in lubricant technology. With over 1000 grades of finished lubricants, base oils, process oils, extracts and waxes.
We are dedicated to serving the needs of our customers by striving to understand, anticipate and satisfy their needs faster and better than our competitors. To achieve this our objective is to develop and supply products and services which reflect customer demands in each of our market sectors.
TLV Euro Engineering (www.tlv.co.uk)
TLV Euro Engineering UK is part of TLV, an internationally-established designer, manufacturer and provider of steam traps, condensate recovery pumps, pressure reducing valves and other specialist steam solutions. The company plays a leading role in the promotion of efficient energy systems and increased environmental conservation on a worldwide scale through its products and consulting and engineering services.
Rockatek (www.rockatek.com)
Cheltenham-based Rockatek Ltd is an engineering consultancy that offers design, analysis and physical testing services that set it apart from others. Its directors have over 40 years’ experience in complex engineering product optimisation and development; and its engineers specialise in engineering solutions for harsh environments and value improving reliability and performance.
Verco (www.ver.co.uk)
Founded in 1965, Verco quickly built a reputation for supplying quality refrigerated glass door and open chill cabinets to supermarkets, convenience and forecourt stores. Verco is now a leading supplier of retail refrigeration and the largest UK manufacturer of glass door cabinets.
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