Saftronics delivered and installed another Sivacon S8 MCC for Innospec as part of the plant’s ongoing process and electrical network upgrade works.

Innospec are a global speciality chemicals company focused on bringing to market innovative new technologies. Based in Cheshire, they serve a range of industries across the world ranging from oilfield, refineries to fuels, and power stations to personal care. Safety and reliability are key to their core strategy and hence the Siemens S8 product range fits well due to its ARC containment to IEC/TR 61641, enhanced safety features and reliability track record.

Andrew Dixon our Project Manager commented, “The installation of the MCC was challenging due to the restricted access of the switch room, once again thanks to the site installation team for demonstrating technical expertise and knowledge to work with Innospec to successfully complete the installation.”

Saftronics has recently delivered another MCC for Yorkshire Water’s largest wastewater treatment site (Knostrop STW). With the site serving a population equivalent of 990,000 and a full flow to treatment (FFT) of 5600 l/s.

For more information about the project then check out this case study from Water Projects Online – https://waterprojectsonline.com/custom_case_study/knostrop-stw-2023/

For more information about our MCC capabilities then visit – https://www.saftronics.co.uk/products/motor-control-centres/

On the 20th of April Saftronics attended the Leeds Manufacturing Festival 2023 ‘Next Gen’ Awards to recognise the achievements of young talent within the manufacturing sector. The team was really pleased that one of the Saftronics apprentice nominees received a special mention in the ‘Rising Star’ category.

The Saftronics team nominated Joe for achieving all his training competencies and for his positive attitude to work with always being keen to develop his skills by attending various training courses. He is usually the first to volunteer when there is a particular business need, and he takes an active role in our Safety Committee discussions.

Joe also acts as a mentor for our new apprentices and is always on hand to help. He has proved himself to be a real asset to the business by always receiving positive feedback from across the Saftronics departments and our clients. A Yorkshire Water Senior Engineer commented that “Joe is outstanding and asks all the right questions”. We’re proud that Joe has received some recognition as he is also relied upon to attend careers and promotional events and has promoted Apprenticeships within our industry, having taken part in a BBC Leeds interview for the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance. The Saftronics nomination was to thank Joe for all his hard work and commitment and to celebrate his desire to develop not only himself but others across the business.

Unfortunately, due other commitments Joe couldn’t attend the awards event, so (pictured left to right) Mark Todd & Paul Stead accepted on his behalf.

Saftronics had the pleasure to host the Mitsubishi Electric – Automation Systems UK Sales team meeting. The morning started with a presentation of the products and services Saftronics Limited has to offer. 

Thanks to all who attended, we look forward to the next meeting.  

A warm welcome to our latest intake of apprentices, Oscar Eaglen, Elliott Thompson, and Deividas Ramanovas from all at Saftronics Limited.

All three will spend the next 3 to 5 years gaining skills and experience through our apprenticeship program in electrical design, mechanical design, tendering, and project management as well as the hands-on experience from our manufacturing team and site installation team.

This real-world experience will be supplemented with a specialist industry-accredited course at Leeds City College that the apprentices will attend to learn all aspects of engineering.

Head of Sales and Marketing Paul Stead was delighted to present at the Siemens Transform event in Manchester on behalf of Saftronics. Paul discussed how Saftronics, as a solutions partner, provide powerful new ways to keep electrical systems healthy, reducing annual maintenance costs and carbon output. 

Saftronics has recently featured in the latest edition of the PBSI (Panel Building & System Integration) magazine, contributing to a Charter Controls article discussing the control of temperature within control panel enclosures.

One of the most cost-effective solutions to control heat dissipation is to use filter fans of various sizes and airflow volumes to maintain the required temperature inside the panel. Saftronics highlighted how our teams have managed to overcome frequent issues by using some of the technical and value-added features offered by these fans.

Stuart Jones, Head of Engineering, and Paul Stead, Head of Sales & Marketing, commented on how the unimpeded airflow volumes of up to 1,350m3/hr has enabled Saftronics to reduce the number of fans required, in turn reducing compartment size and freeing up extra space to install more equipment on the control panel door.

To read the full article in the issue, click on the following link – https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=d8f05f70-19c8-45b7-9167-e11170433ba1

On Saturday 2nd July, some of the team from Saftronics took part in the Yorkshire Water Cycle Challenge for WaterAid. The event was sponsored by our parent company RSE and had three different challenging routes through the Yorkshire Dales.

The event helped raise funds to support WaterAid’s goal of giving everyone, everywhere access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. These are basic human rights that help support education, health, and livelihoods within communities, and are an essential step in overcoming poverty.

Two Saftronics Limited employees, Claire Waterfall and Lesley Watson took part in the challenge. Claire opted to tackle the ‘Reservoir Rush’, a 40-mile circuit including 2 climbs, which she completed despite the rain and strong headwind in a silver medal time of 4 hours and 10 mins. Lesley took on the challenge of the ‘Reservoir Rogue’ route, cycling 111 miles with 6 steep climbs, with the stamina to complete the route in a bronze medal time of 9 hours and 40 minutes, despite the difficulty of the route and the weather conditions.

RSE sponsored the event base, which provided facilities to the cyclists before and after the event and support Yorkshire Water in raising funds for the WaterAid cause.

A huge well done to Claire, Lesley, and all the other cyclists who took part and completed the Water Cycle Challenge!

On the 17^th & 18^th of March 2022, the RSE Control Systems team, consisting of 27 Saftronics, TCS and Blackburn Starling employees, took on the strenuous challenge of completing a 131-mile bike ride over the course of 2 days. The team started the course in Leeds and cycled along the 131-mile canal route before crossing the finishing line in Liverpool.

The RSE Control Systems team were inspired by former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrows, who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2019, and the team planned to raise funds for a supporting charity. MND is a debilitating disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking nerves that control movement and prevent muscles from working. The funds raised from the charity cycle will go towards helping to improve access to care, research and campaigning for people and their families suffering with an MND diagnosis.

The team successfully completed their cycling challenge within the 2-day target, with the help from a dedicated support team on standby to assist with marshalling, refreshments, small bike repairs and ensuring the general safety of the cyclists.

The team would also like to thank all the event supporters for their assistance and involvement before, during and after each day of the cycle to make the challenge possible; supporters included Yorkshire Water, Tuffshop, Pudsey Transport, The Adelphi Hotel Liverpool, Haribo UK, University of Leeds and Blackburn Cathedral.

Due to the demanding test of endurance, their amazing team effort and kind donations to the fundraiser, the Control Systems team have managed to raise to date an amazing £10,000 including Gift Aid for the incredibly worthy MND Association.

Simon Logan, TCS Site Services Coordinator said:

“At the start of the challenge the team was split into 3 groups, and we set off with a certain amount of trepidation, due to the uncertainty of what the 131 miles of the Leeds to Liverpool tow path terrain would throw at us over the next 2 days. A few riders needed help with punctured tyres and small mechanical problems, which the support team took in their stride. On the second day we still needed to cover 60 miles, with a difficult headwind to contend with. Every time someone had a problem, the team members nearby stopped to give whatever help they could to ensure we got to the finish line. A big group hug and a photo at the end was in order to record the personal and physical achievement of the group fundraising event, with £10,000 raised for the MND Association.“

Charlotte Taylor, MND Association, commented:

“Without the support of companies like Saftronics, TCS and Blackburn Starling, it wouldn’t be possible for us to deliver our range of care services that provide essential support for all those affected by MND or to invest in ground-breaking research that leads to new understanding of the disease, effective treatments and ultimately a cure. I would like to thank everyone who supported this event for helping to make a real difference to people affected by MND.“