PICKERINGS LIFTS ANNOUNCES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR P


ickerings Lifts has announced that Paul Brooks will succeed Ian Bowers as


managing director of the company from 1 April 2019, following Brooks' retirement at the end of March. Brooks joined the company in 2014, initially


joining as head of divisional operations, before being promoted to Service Director in 2018. In his new role, Brooks will be responsible for


the strategy, growth and direction of Pickerings Lifts, as well as taking responsibility for key customer accounts.


Following Browers' retirement, there have been


further changes within the company’s executive board, with former service sales and marketing director Gary Rains promoted to service director. Brooks said of his appointment: “I am thrilled to


have been given the opportunity to guide the company through the next chapter of its journey. “The company has gone from strength-to-


strength under Ian’s leadership and it has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside him over the past few years.” www.pickeringslifts.co.uk


ONWARDS NEW WAREHOUSE IN ADVANCED STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION R


apid progress is being made on the construction of a new high bay


warehouse unit at Onward Holdings Ltd’s Phoenix Park development on the Green Lane Industrial Estate in Featherstone. Due for practical completion by Tolent in


August 2019, there have already been expressions of interest in this new build which is within 2.5 miles of Junction 31 of the M62. The detached warehouse will extend to


around 67,000sqft including 3,000sqft of first-floor office accommodation, with the flexibility to extend to 9,000sqft over three floors, subject to occupiers’ specific requirements. Other vital statistics include 12m eaves height, uniform floor loading of 50 kNm2, six loading doors (including four docks) and 62 car parking spaces and a generous concrete service yard. Electricity generating panels and state-of-the-art security systems are also part of the package. Tolent, which is a national contractor, has an


unsurpassed reputation for designing and building industrial facilities which provide


effective space management for maximum operational efficiency. Whether required as bespoke warehousing for specialist distribution or a flexible unit, the building taking shape at Phoenix Park will be adaptable for a wide range of logistical requirements. It has been well documented that quality


warehousing, especially close to excellent transport links, is lagging behind demand due to a proliferation of e-commerce and discount retailers taking up available space. The new unit at Phoenix Park will help meet the increasing demand for additional facilities in Yorkshire. Green Lane Industrial Estate has a great


geographical position with the M62 junction 31 less than three miles away. Other major transport connections include the M1 and A1(M), northern container ports and Doncaster airport all in close proximity. The railway freight network via the Wakefield Europort is also nearby to make light work of the distribution of goods across a variety of sectors. Onward Holdings has invested significantly in the Green Lane Industrial Estate over the


years, which has seen a wide range of companies occupy space at the site, bringing a much-needed jobs boost and business to the local area. Neil Storey, director of Onward Holdings,


said: “Due for completion in August, the contractors are cracking on at a pace to build the new warehouse at Phoenix Park. It will be available to lease as a bespoke unit or managed 3PL warehouse shortly. We are already experiencing a surge of interest in this prime site due to hugely competitive market for suitable, quality warehousing.” John Currie, regional director for Tolent, said:


“Our work within the industrial sector is fast becoming one of our key strengths as a business as we continue to see repeat and new business from clients like Onward Holdings. Our team on site are making great progress and we look forward to seeing the finished product.” Iain McPhail, Partner at Knight Frank and


Andrew Miller of Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors are advising Onward Holdings. www.yorkshirewarehousing.com


LIFTING APPRENTICESHIP ENTERS DRAFT FORM A


draft proposal to develop an occupational standard for the


provisionally titled ‘Lifting Equipment Technician’ apprenticeship has been devised, following a meeting of the Trailblazer Working Group (TWG). Convened by The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) on 27 and 28 March at the association’s headquarters in Huntingdon, the TWG worked with Sarah Walker, relationship manager at theInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. The overall aim is to produce a useable product and get it to market by November 2019. An excerpt from the proposal is as follows:


“The broad purpose of the occupation is to repair, maintain, modify, inspect, test, install and assemble lifting equipment to ensure its suitability and safety. They provide documentation and technical advice to customers and check that equipment is being maintained in accordance with statutory


requirements. Additionally, the role may include the removal of equipment from service or decommissioning where it is considered to be unsafe and does not meet regulatory standards. “Lifting Equipment Technicians are self-


motivated problem solvers who work with organisations to resolve issues and come up with solutions to their everyday needs. They ensure the safety and suitability of the equipment used for lifting goods or people in order to meet regulatory requirements.” The TWG will reconvene to discuss the next


stage, which is the End Point Assessment (EPA), during another two-day event planned for the early part of June 2019. The draft proposal will be circulated to


independent people, predominantly from engineering and manufacturing, who will examine the draft to ensure the apprenticeship is fit for purpose for the entire lifting industry and all sectors within. The TWG will seek training providers,


/ MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS


including establishments such as colleges, and also achieve banding for funding – the intention is for the apprenticeship to be set at Level 3 (Advanced apprenticeships, which are equivalent to 2 A-level passes). The duration of the apprenticeship is provisionally 18 months. The proposal will then go back to the


Institute and the TWG, to see if any further amendments are required. Baz Trewhella, LEEA’s learning and


development projects specialist, who was tasked in 2018 to initiate a project for establishing an apprenticeship for the Lifting Industry, said the meeting held in March was “very productive as well as being a steep learning curve for all included”. He added: “Apprenticeships can be for all


ages, subject to an organisation’s requirements, but this development is particularly vital solution for an ageing lifting industry that currently attracts too few younger people.” Read more at https://bit.ly/2wbjx78


MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS | MAY 2019 5


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  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74