BSEE-SEP21-PG04 News & Appointments_Layout 1 04/08/2021 11:36 Page 4
BSEE
UK forklift operator crisis is helping drive up sales of automated handling solutions
ccording to Toyota Material Handling UK, an ‘exceptional’ shortage of forklift drivers is prompting more and more UK companies to adopt automated materials handling equipment (MHE) to optimise the efficiency of their warehouse intralogistics processes.
A
Toyota’s Paul Freeman says: “We hear a lot about the problems caused by the present lack of HGV drivers but the scarcity of qualified MHE operators is just as much of an issue for many UK supply chains.”
A recent study by Logistics UK showed that in 2019, 79,000 EU nationals left the UK logistics industry – around 7,000 of whom were lift truck drivers.
The exodus is thought to have gathered pace over the past 18 months and, with the Covid crisis adding high rates of staff absenteeism to the mix, the number of qualified lift truck operators in the UK is estimated to be down by some 25 per cent on the figure needed to run the nation’s forklift fleet.
Furthermore, with close to a third of Britain’s remaining forklift drivers said to be EU nationals, the decision to limit overseas workers’ access to the UK jobs market means that, in the longer term, the situation is only likely to become worse – which, Toyota forecasts, will further hasten the take-up of automated technology. In addition, the widening gap between supply and demand, means that forklift operator wages are rising. Given that human labour is already one of the most significant warehouse operation costs, any significant hike in lift truck drivers’ earnings is only likely to strengthen the argument for switching to automation, Toyota contend. Paul Freeman explains: “At Toyota we increasingly find that companies across all industry sectors are seeking to mitigate the
impact that the dearth of forklift drivers is having on their business by turning to automated guided vehicles (AGV’s) and other forms of automation.
“AGV’s – such as Toyota’s Autopilot series – offer several benefits in addition to delivering lower labour costs, including reductions in product and building infrastructure damage and increased productivity. These notable advantages bring a rapid return on investment. Toyota’s AGV-enabled forklifts, for example, deliver a typical ROI period of between 12 and 36 months.”
Toyota has opened an automated handling technology demonstration centre in Leicester where customers can see and assess the company’s state-of-the-art AGVs and shuttle systems in operation within a realistic working warehouse setting.
Paul Freeman adds: “The profile of the typical automation user is evolving and small and medium sized warehouse operators and e- commerce retailers now see automated handling and storage technology as the optimum solution to their issues. The forklift operator crisis is clearly accelerating the trend.”
NEWS & APPOINTMENTS Appointments
Buro Happold appoints new Global Director of Commercial, Legal & Digital Risks
Buro Happold has announced the appointment of May Winfield as the new Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks. In her new role, Winfield will take the lead on all commercial, legal and insurance matters for the global business, including the development of effective risk management strategies. She will support the development of new service offerings, establish, maintain, and strengthen client relationships and form contracts.
She is renowned as a leading legal expert in BIM and construction technology, becoming one of the first UK lawyers to specialise in this aspect of law, and is a member of a number of key industry
working groups in this area including for the Centre for Digital Built Britain’s National Digital Twin Roadmap. She has led teams drafting key guidance and standard form documents in this area, most recently the UK BIM Framework’s legal guidance and standard form Information Protocol for the international standard, the BS EN ISO19650 series. Winfield also received recognition for her work in the industry, winning the title of ‘Best Woman in Construction Law’ at the European Women In Construction and Engineering Awards (WICE) in 2020.
Dravo strengthens team with new Business Development appointment
Dravo Limited has strengthened its team in the UK with the appointment of Chris Boroughs as Business Development Manager.
Boroughs brings 13 years of HVAC knowledge and experience with him and will be responsible for enhancing the Dravo brand and reputation as market leaders in heating and ventilation solutions as well as developing and expanding customer relationships throughout the whole of the UK. He will also be involved in specific projects notably on the specification side, he will be working alongside contractors and specifiers to deliver successful HVAC solutions.
Smart Training Accreditation for Energy Assets
nergy Assets has been accredited by the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP) as an approved Training Centre and Training Provider for electricity smart metering.
E
The NSAP certification enables the company, which is a leading metering, data, utility construction and network ownership business, to train engineers to install single phase, multi- rate, single phase-off multi-phase and multi-phase smart metering technology. All smart meter installers are required to complete a rigorous training programme covering safety, quality of work and customer service mapped against the industry approved NSAP National Assessment Specification.
To achieve both NSAP Training Centre and Training Provider accreditation, Energy Assets underwent a rigorous assessment process, taking account of facilities, equipment,
resources, training materials and industry experience and qualifications. Will Moir, Energy Assets Group Head of Learning & Development, commented: “NSAP approval recognises the quality of the training we provide at Energy Assets. Our processes drive the high professional standards delivered by our engineers, confirmed through the feedback that we receive from our customers.”
Garry Ashworth, Technical Training Manager at Energy Assets, added: “This is a major achievement for Energy Assets and cements our position as a leading force in the metering industry. These accreditations enable us to deliver electricity smart metering qualifications to our own engineers and to those from other companies in step with the Ofgem approved Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice.” The NSAP programme is supported by major energy suppliers and industry stakeholders.
Keith Sprague, Sales and Marketing Director commented “We are delighted to have Chris onboard; his appointment reflects our strategy to drive profitable business and deliver growth through continued investments to improve safety, quality and innovation. We stay committed to help our channel and partners grow profitably to create a legacy for our customers and achieving our position as the UK’s leading trusted HVAC partner”.
Samsung climate solutions expands UK heating team
Samsung, an industry leader in climate solutions, continues its strong recruitment drive with the appointment of five new team members to the heating division. Joining the fast moving and highly successful business team are; Liam Rodda - Northern Business Development Manager, Stuart Bell - Southern Business Development Manager, Joe Raftery - Product
Manager, Jose Leite - Pre-Sales Engineer and Stuart Leivers - Service Engineer. Liam Rodda has been appointed Business Development Manager for Heating Products. With well over 15 years of experience, Liam is enthusiastic to join Samsung at a crucial time of growth where the heat pump market is set to skyrocket in the UK’s bid to be ‘net zero’ by 2050.
Stuart Bell joins the team as a Business Development Manager. Stuart has been in the industry for over 13 years, with his new role working on promoting and selling residential heat pump related product lines to installers and specification clients in the south of England.
Joe Raftery started in the heating industry as an apprentice heating engineer over 30 years ago and has given technical support to a number of heating manufactures in that time.
LR: Will Moir, Energy Assets Group Head of Learning & Development, with Garry Ashworth, Training Manager. 4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2021
Also joining Samsung’s established team is Jose Leite, a newly appointed Pre- Sales Engineer. Jose has been in the industry for 10 years and his new role will see him working closely with the wider Samsung sales team to provide design solutions that meet the customer’s expectation. Additionally, Stuart Leivers has been a Refrigeration Service Engineer for over 25 years and is looking forward to joining the Samsung team specifically working with air source heat pumps. He joins Samsung as an SVC Engineer.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
