Axiom to highlight their position as industry leaders at forthcoming asset management event
Participating delegates are expected from a wide range of industry sectors across both Europe and the UK who will come together to discuss and share best practice from across EEMUA’s industry influencing storage tank committee and beyond.
Th seminar aims to reinforce the importance of surveying, inspection, validation and maintenance throughout the life cycle of a tank via its storage of product and how well the tank itself is maintained. Discussion will also cover the validation and impact of recent developments in technology being utilised to inspect tanks and limit corrosion. Users of both steel and plastic tanks will have the opportunity to assess these changes and how they can ensure safe storage of product and efficiency of operation strategies within a tank storage environment.
With significant experience in the: specification, inspection and design of repairs and modifications of tanks, Axiom is delighted to exhibit at EEMUA’s flagship tank conference.
Adam Potter, Axiom Director, “This event is a great opportunity for Axiom to provide advice to those within the tank storage industry. We will demonstrate our strong capability in this area as we highlight the benefit and value of our expertise to guide and educate users in best practice.”
katherine
Meet the Axiom inspection experts at a key industrial asset management event
Following the success of last year’s event, the “Best Practice in Industrial Asset Management” event will be hosted by North East based membership cluster organisation, NEPIC and will take place on Wednesday 21st November at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, Co. Durham. The event will focus on the improvement and sharing of best practices in asset management across the North East region.
Industry leader Axiom are pleased to again support this key initiative by showcasing their own broad range of in-house asset management capabilities. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their issues with the Axiom team during then day’s event to receive sound advice. Along with demonstration of Axiom’s sophisticated in-house tools and techniques, the team will be on hand to explain how their approach can effectively support the safe, compliant and longevity of industrial assets with their own dynamic asset database using action plans, KPIs and transparent reporting.
A range of speakers from the local area include the winners of the 2018 NEPIC manufacturing award, Aesica Pharmaceuticals who will share their journey and explain the change process implemented at their Cramlington site to improve engagement with personnel at all levels to drive improvements within various business areas including SHE, quality and reliability performance.
Adam Potter, Axiom Director said, ” The success of last year’s event sent out a clear message that all those involved are committed to supporting each other in effective asset management. We are delighted to take part again in this years’s event and to demonstrate how we, as specialists, can support our clients in their drive to manage the safety and reliability of their assets.”
For more information on our Inspection and NDT services, please click here
katherine
Axiom Benefits From Local Talent With Successful Apprenticeship Scheme
Adam Foxton and Daniel Burridge both joined the company in August 2015 where hey began their journey as NDT apprentices. The three year training programme combined both study with NETA, a local training provider along with site experience under the close guidance of experienced and highly qualified Axiom staff.
Adam and Daniel have now secured permanent roles with Axiom as NDT Technicians.
Lee Baker, Axiom’s NDT Technical Authority said, “We are delighted with the commitment and dedication that both Adam and Daniel have displayed throughout their apprenticeship which ultimately resulted in them passing with flying colours. They have both worked extremely hard and fully deserve formal recognition for their achievement.”
Year on year, Axiom continue to support the key initiative to “bridge the skills gap” by ensuring that the business commits to an intake of apprentices in support of their overall growth strategy and succession planning. As the existing apprenticeships have now been completed, Axiom have again recruited three new apprentices to join the Inspection Division whilst also recruiting a Graduate Engineer to support the Materials Department.
Adam Potter, Director, said, “At Axiom, we are firm believers in investing in our people and community. The apprenticeship scheme provides Axiom with the opportunity to invest in young people across the region. This not only benefits our expanding business and the local economy but provides the apprentices with the start of a challenging and rewarding career.”
katherine
Engineering Firms To Benefit From “Biggest and Best” Business Breakfast
Senior figures from Hitachi Rail Europe, Cleveland Bridge and ISG plc will deliver keynote presentations at an event held by the Tees Engineering Network (TEN) on Friday, October 12th at 8 a.m.
Taking place at Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall, the breakfast briefing will outline how local firms can work with these businesses and is expected to be attended by more than 100 people.
ISG is the main design and build contractor delivering the first phase at Symmetry Park in the town, a 1.5 million square foot distribution centre.
Cleveland Bridge is a global leader in technology-based engineering, construction and steel fabrication services, and just a few weeks ago announced a 12% increase in turnover on the previous year.
Train manufacturer, Hitachi Rail has recently been shortlisted for a £360million contract to build and maintain rolling stock for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has also led calls on the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, to award a £2.8billion HS2 manufacturing contract to the Newton Aycliffe firm.
Tees Engineering Network was set up in 2013 to support the region’s engineering supply chain by keeping businesses informed of new opportunities and provide a forum for networking. It is led by Francis Brown Ltd, Axiom Engineering Associates Ltd and Industrial Marine Hydraulics Ltd with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the business breakfast and added:“These major companies are investing millions of pounds into our regional economy. They’re investing, employing, training and exporting, but we need to make sure local firms and local workers benefit in the supply chain too. I urge every business leader to sign up, get involved and learn about the huge procurement opportunities on offer.”
Richard Miles, Project Director for ISG said:” Symmetry Park is a huge development, which includes a 1.5 million sq ft facility set to be operational by next summer. We are looking forward to being able to highlight ways in which Tees Valley firms are currently working with us and provide opportunities for others to support our delivery of this significant project.”
Rob O’Hara, Category Lead at Hitachi Rail said:” Events such as these are key to engage with potential suppliers. We have spent the last few years localising our supply chain and believe in the benefits of building relationships with our industry partners in the North East.
Phil Heathcock, Chief Financial Officer at Cleveland Bridge, said:” As a firm with 150 years of history in the Tees Valley, we understand the unrivalled talent on offer and share the commitment that other companies have to seeing the area succeed. We’re excited to be outlining our plans on how we can engage further with the local supply chain and boost the future growth of our area.”
Helen Burdon from IMH, one of the founding members of TEN, said:” Our engineering supply chain breakfasts are only going from strength to strength and this will be our biggest and best event yet, with spaces going fast. This will be the first time we have hosted three businesses, all with exciting projects in the pipeline for which will provide a vast amount of opportunities across the supply chain.”
The free event has been sponsored by Darlington Borough Council and the Combined Authority as part of their Darlington Business Week, with breakfast supplied by Rockliffe Hall.
Axiom hosts Macmillan Coffee Morning to Support People Living with Cancer
Bringing millions of people together for coffee and cake each September, Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest coffee Morning has become a British institution over the years – with thousands of events happening up and down the country including the Tees Valley area.
This year again, Axiom were delighted to take part with staff asked to provide an array of homemade cakes from chocolate cupcakes and brownies. Guests with a more savoury tooth were also treated to freshly baked cheese scones and sausage rolls. The enthusiastic bakers also ensured that those with dietary requirements were able to sample more healthy, reduced sugar, wheat and gluten free options including apple pies, gingerbread men biscuits and sweet potato crisps.
Speaking after the event, Adam Potter, Director, said:” We really enjoyed doing our bit for this year’s Coffee Morning. It was great to get people together, to share a chat over a snack with coffee and raise money for Macmillan to help people living with cancer at the same time. I want to thank everyone who supported and helped to make it a success.”
If you need support, please visit Macmillan’s website: www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan’s Support Line for free on 0808 808 0000, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
katherine
Axiom Celebrate Another Milestone in a Successful Partnership
Asset integrity specialists, Axiom Engineering are set to celebrate a partnership with a regional organisation spanning ten years which has seen Axiom go from strength to strength.
The North East England Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has been in existence for more than two hundred years and has supported local North East businesses to grow their network, improve their knowledge, influence and reach. Aiming for increased brand awareness and networking opportunities, Axiom saw the Chamber as the ideal vehicle to achieve this goal and ten years ago, they decided to take up membership to catalyse further growth.
Rob Johnson, Director and Principal Mechanical Engineer said, “We are delighted that we are now celebrating a ten-year milestone as Chamber members. We are great believers in the development of long-term business relationships for mutual benefit and recognise that the Chamber are well equipped to support this objective.”
He added, ” We would like to thank the Chamber for their support during our membership and would urge other businesses in the area who are considering membership to embrace the opportunities that it will bring.”
Axiom is no stranger to collaboration of businesses to achieve growth and stability in the local economy. Along with local engineering companies, Francis Brown and Industrial Marine Hydraulics (IMH), the organisation, Tees Engineering Network (TEN) was launched several years ago to champion the engineering companies in the region. Demand for places at their events has grown with over a hundred delegates now attending to hear about forthcoming projects in the area and how they can promote themselves to be part of the local supply chain. Delegates now include not only engineering businesses but extended to other local companies who can benefit form these informative networking events.
Rachel Thompson, Chamber Relationship Manager (Tees Valley) said, ” We’re thrilled we get to recognise such a significant milestone with Axiom. We firmly believe that stronger links between the region’s businesses help us all be more successful and Axiom are the perfect example of that, both with the Chamber and within their industry. We look forward to working with them for the next ten years and beyond!”
Axiom are now looking forward to the next decade which will see organisations like the Chamber and TEN continue to inspire and influence the good fortunes of the region.
katherine
Axiom Workforce Bolstered by New Apprentice Intake
We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new apprentices, reinforcing our commitment to the bridging of the skills gap within the engineering industry.
All three apprentices pictured here left to right, Matthew Black, Daniel Connor and Jamie Frew will be joining Axiom’s Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) team based at offices in Stockton on Tees.
Our apprenticeship programme is intended to develop individuals to achieve competency within their chosen discipline. Lasting three years, the programme provides participants with theory and practical experience supported by Axiom’s senior people. This will provide the solid foundations needed for a long and fulfilling career for each apprentice.
This year, we have received in excess of two hundred applications for the apprenticeship scheme. In partnership with Skills Training UK, candidates have been subjected to a rigorous recruitment process starting with an initial telephone interview through to challenging psychometric testing and face to face discussion. This allowed candidates to demonstrate their capabilities and provides reassurance that Axiom had selected the most suitable candidates.
Adam Potter, Director said, “Axiom are committed to investing and supporting talent from our local community. Apprenticeships give young people the advantage of receiving sound training along with developing vital experience and practical skills required in our industry. We invest in staff training all the way through sponsoring our staff through university degrees and an apprenticeship may well be the first step for staff that are keen to develop themselves.”
He added, ” With the government’s target of 3 million apprenticeships in England by 2020, Axiom will continue to review its employment strategy with a view to offering further opportunities in other disciplines within the business.”
Axiom have established a talented and capable team where the apprenticeship programme plays an essential role in the future success of the business.
Keeping it Real in the World of Fitness for Service Assessments
Rob Johnson, Head of Axiom’s Engineering Services department, celebrates Axiom’s fifteenth year of providing plant support to the owners and operators of process plant. From the beginning, a key vision for Axiom was to be able to provide high quality engineering assessment and analysis of high risk pressure systems and structures.
Discussing this with Rob, he explains why he identified a need to build a team around four key principles:
1. The need to respond quickly to client requests
Especially in shut down situations or where critical plant equipment had to come off-line due to problems. Rob said, “Time is money after all, but fortunately none of our clients would wish to compromise on safety. They want the job doing with urgency but it has to be right and that means doing it safely and with integrity.”
2. To be versatile
Rob was keen to emphasise Axiom’s forward-looking approach towards versatility and said, “We truly believe that you can’t be an effective Fitness for Purpose Practitioner by working in only one discipline. It is important to have ‘subject matter experts’ but this can lead to blinkered thinking if engineers can only work in one area. Axiom’s engineers are encouraged to “dive” deep into subject areas but all are encouraged to know how to apply fitness for purpose principles to a wide range of industry equipment.”
3. Stay pragmatic
Rob continued, “This is plant based engineering we’re doing after all, we’re not a team of academics trying to win a Nobel Prize for science. Against our competitors, head to head, Axiom can sweat a finite element analysis (FEA) model as well as the best.”
However, a “pet hate” of Rob’s is the tendency for consultancies to reach for FEA solutions before more practical and economic assessment methods are considered first. Rob added, “Before we reach for FEA, we always consider the design codes and other proven design by rule approaches. We have lots of National and International codes and standards to use that provide safe and ready analysis techniques. People can go straight to FEA but it’s often a long walk around to a solution.”
As well as fitness for purpose practitioners, Axiom has engineers who have held responsible positions on top-tier COMAH sites as well as having worked for the Health and Safety Executive. We understand the issues that owner’s face and can deliver implementable solutions whilst satisfying the Regulator’s expectations.
4. And finally…Stay young!
Rob insists that this isn’t being ageist but acknowledges that a key problem for our industry is the skills gap and the loss of knowledgeable engineers. He went on to say, “At Axiom, we invested in graduates from the beginning but also in obtaining the services of more experienced engineers to act as mentors and guides. The result is a “best of both worlds” culture. On many occasions I have sat in front of potential clients that tell me of their concern that they use this consultant, or that engineer, but they are worried because they know these people are about to retire but the company they work for has no credible plans to replace them.”
Here at Axiom, we can assure clients that we’ll be here for them next month, next year or even in five years’ time. We have established a talented, capable team and that’s why we keep growing on the back of repeat business and referrals.
katherine
Axiom Celebrate Their Corporate Event at Historic Local Park
Preston Park Museum and Gardens provided the backdrop to a corporate afternoon where Axiom Directors, Adam Potter and Rob Johnson delivered a comprehensive presentation to staff, reemphasising the company’s ambitions and challenges. The company also held discussion groups to obtain staff feedback about how to make improvements to the business.
Staff were engaged in workshops given by the marketing and mechanical departments. Delegates were invited to voice their suggestions to improve on the company’s performance to meet clients’ needs. A separate workshop focussed on Axiom’s strengths and where opportunities could be taken to identify “quick wins” for the business and how to implement those to create the greatest impact.
Adam Potter, director, said,”Initial feedback suggests that the day was well received and extremely valuable with some good suggestions and food for thought. Although we cannot promise to act on every suggestion, new measures can be introduced or existing ones improved as a result of the day.”
He added,”Our staff work closely with our clients and therefore have a clear insight into client needs. This forum also helps us ensure that Axiom, as an employer, is an organisation that people want to work for, by supporting a work/life balance, opportunities for career development and rewarding loyalty and performance.”
Feedback questionnaires completed by staff at the end of the event were very positive with almost three quarters of the delegates attending scoring the event 8 out of 10 or above for their overall experience. Comments received included “very good” and “a good refresher of the company’s values and aims.”
Axiom have plans to continue with this form of communication as part of their overall business strategy as they recognise the importance of strong, internal engagement.
A decent summer day set the scene for a successful local annual charity Golf and Shoot hosted by a local engineering business and keenly supported by Axiom Engineering Associates.
A charity Golf and Shoot was organised by Nortech Solutions Ltd. and was held at Billingham Golf Club where all participants were welcomed by Bryan Bunn, MD of Nortech before the golfing teams took their places on the green and those taking part in the clay pigeon shooting were taken to the picturesque village of Thimbleby.
Axiom were only too delighted to participate in supporting the Billingham based business in their ongoing community activities. This year’s funds raised will aid the purchase of an Acheeva Postural Bed for Ash Trees Academy, a local school specialising in providing education and support for children with special needs including autism.
Final counting has revealed a total sum of £2000 raised from this fantastic initiative.
Rob Johnson, Director at Axiom Engineering said, “Axiom were delighted to take part in such charity events which support both local businesses and the community. Well done Nortech on such a successful event!”
