Technica Ltd

Former Grimsby Town player, Dave Boylen, couldn’t believe his eyes when we threw him a surprise retirement party.Dave, who has worked in our stores for the last two years, thought he was heading to the pub for a quiet pint after his last day at work but we had other ideas!

Explains Dave’s friend and manager at Technica, Alan Brown: “I’ve known Dave for over 15 years – he’s a great guy and we just wanted to do something special to mark his retirement.”

Commenting on the surprise party, Dave said: “I’ve worked for a fantastic company in the last two working years of my life but there comes a time when you need to retire.

“I will miss my colleagues, they are a great set of people and this party showed what comradeship they have. I’d like to thank directors Bryan and John for everything they have done for me over the last couple of years.”

Concludes managing director, John Davison: “We wish Dave all the very best for a long and happy retirement but we know he’ll be kept very busy with his two grandchildren and his work as an ambassador for Grimsby Town!”

When Rob Morgan laid down the Movember Challenge, his colleagues (including a couple of the ladies with the help of some false moustaches!) duly ditched their razors and got growing.

They achieved varying degrees of hirsute success but raised over £400 for the Movember Foundation that funds programs working to improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issue

SPARKLING CAREER FOR FORMER APPRENTICE

Jack accepts full time role as Junior Designer

An award-winning apprentice has been offered a full-time role with Grimsby-based engineering firm, Technica.

Jack Browning has just completed a four-year indentured apprenticeship as an apprentice Electrical and Instrument Designer. During that time he has worked on numerous assignments including Electrical and Instrumentation projects, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) replacement projects and various projects associated with the UK Gas Networks playing a key role in Technica’s growth.

As a result of his performance he has been offered, and has accepted, a position as Junior Designer. He will continue his training studying for an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The Grimsby Institute.

Commenting on his appointment, Jack, who was named Yorkshire & Humber Regional Apprentice of the Year 2013, said: “The last four years have been hard work but I’ve enjoyed every minute and learnt so much. Being offered a full-time job here is the icing on the cake for me!”

Concludes Bryan Creed, Technical Director at Technica: “It’s been a real pleasure working with Jack and watching him develop new skills over the last four years. He is a key member of the team and we were in no doubt about offering him a full-time role. He has a great career ahead of him and I’m delighted he’s chosen to continue it here at Technica.”

KEEP ON RUNNING!

When Carl Thomas took up running a couple of years ago as a way of keeping fit, he set himself several goals and completing a half marathon was one of them. He can now tick that off his list!

Carl is one of our electrical engineers and his latest, and biggest, running achievement to date is finishing the Great North Run in just 2 hours 12 seconds.

Explains Carl: “When I got to the start line I couldn’t believe how many people were competing – 57,000 in total so it was no wonder it took me 25 minutes just to get over the start line!

“I was really lucky with the weather – the sun was shining and it was probably a bit to warm to be honest but I can’t complain. There was a great atmosphere for the whole 13.1 miles and I’d recommend the race to anyone, either as a participant or a spectator.”

Not one to sit around, Carl’s now planning his next challenge. “I’ll definitely do more half marathons over the next few years and, one day, I’d love to run the Boston Marathon “, says Carl. “It’s the most historic marathon and I got married in Boston so it’s a place that means a lot to me.”

So, watch this space and, if you see Carl out training on the streets on Grimsby or York, give him a shout of encouragement!

GRADUATE PROCESS ENGINEER GOES BACK TO SCHOOL

Joe Howell, graduate process engineer with Technica, has been invited back to his secondary school, John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford, to present students with prizes at their annual awards ceremony.

Steve Beverley, head teacher at the school contacted Joe via social networking site, Linkedin, after noticing he had graduated and was working for the Grimsby-based engineering firm.

Explains Joe: “It was a real honour to hand out the awards and recognise the students’ achievements. I really enjoyed my time at school; it gave me an excellent academic grounding and enabled me to embark on my degree.

“If I can inspire the current pupils to work hard at school and show them they can be whatever they want to be if they put their minds to it, I’ll be happy. I’m sure I met some budding future engineers while I was handing out prizes!”

Commenting on Joe’s attendance at the awards evening, head teacher, Steve Beverley, said: “His talk was fantastic; inspiring and interesting, exactly what we had hoped for and I know the audience really enjoyed Joe’s comments, as did I.”

Concludes Bryan Creed, technical director at Technica: “We’re all about encouraging young talent and supporting more and more youngsters to study subjects such as maths, chemistry and physics with a view to pursuing a career in engineering.

“Joe is a great ambassador for Technica as he’s really passionate about what he does – his enthusiasm for the job is clear to see. We actually expected him to recruit some youngsters following the award ceremony!”

ON ‘YER BIKE!

Our project engineer, Andy Hawkins, and three friends have raised £1,111 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society after taking to their mountain bikes and riding 180 miles ‘Coast to Coast’.

The ‘Uphill Strugglers’ embarked on their epic fundraising journey after challenging each other over a few pints in their local pub. The team set off from Crosby beach in Liverpool on 2nd May and arrived in Cleethorpes 72 hours, and several tubs of Sudocrem, later.

Explains Andy: “There was pain and laughter along the way, arguments and broken bikes coupled with great views, priceless moments and, I have to admit, a couple of wrong turns, but we made it. It was a fantastic experience and has resulted in me signing up for the Great North Swim again this month.

“I’d like to thank all of my colleagues, suppliers and clients for their generous donations and support, all of which made the pain worthwhile. Who knows, maybe we’ll tackle Land’s End to John O’Groats next year?!”

AND THE WINNER IS…

…Technica!

We were delighted to win the Barclays International Trade Award at this year’s North Lincolnshire Business Awards.

John and Bryan joined over 300 local business people and entrepreneurs at the awards dinner hosted by TV presenter and broadcaster, Helen Fospero, at Grimsby Auditorium on 17th May.

Commenting on the win, managing director John Davison said: “I couldn’t believe it when they read out Technica! Once I’d got over the shock, I was immensely proud that the team’s hard work over the last ten years had been recognised in front of so many people – it’s a real honour for the business.

“We were up against tough competition in the shape of Ramsden International and Teemans so we knew we must’ve really impressed the judging panel. International trade is a massive part of the business and it’s something we will continue to push and grow.

“To do this we need to increase our existing workforce and attract new recruits to join the fantastic team we already have here. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today so I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of them for their hard work and commitment over the years.”

Great news – we’ve been shortlisted in this year’s Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards!

All nominees were chosen by three teams of judges, with decisions made by a majority decision – we’re up against Ramsden International and Teemans in the International Trade category.

John Davison, managing director, commented: “Just to be on the shortlist is a fantastic achievement. I’m really proud of everyone here as the nomination is testament to their continued hard work and commitment to Technica and enhancing the reputation of the business across the globe.”

The Business Awards will take place at Grimsby Auditorium on Friday 16th May 2014.

Senior engineer teams up with trainee to pass on skills and knowledge

A trainee engineer at Technica, has teamed up with an engineer 42 years his senior to learn new skills and tap into the knowledge of a true expert.

Jack Browning, 22, joined Technica three years ago as an apprentice electrical engineer. Jack had already completed his ‘A’ levels in Physics, Maths and Geography but decided against heading off to University when Bryan Creed, technical director at Technica offered him an apprenticeship.

Explains Jack: “I’d never contemplated an apprenticeship but from day one at the Humberside Engineering Training Association, I knew I’d made the right decision. Hands-on learning was totally different to academic education but I loved it.”

Three years later and Jack has completed Levels 2 and 3 of a City & Guilds qualification in Electrical Instrumentation and has now embarked on an HNC in Electrical Engineering, fully supported by Technica.

Continues Jack: “I’ve spent the last three years ‘on the tools’ in the workshop and out on site but now I’m in the office working in a junior designer role alongside senior electrical engineer, Richard Fitzgeorge.”

“Richard’s been with Technica for four years and has worked in the industry since the 1970s – he finished his apprenticeship back in 1971. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about electrical engineering – he has stacks of knowledge – and he’s a great teacher, I’ve already learnt so much from him.”

“He’s really patient and I get to go with him to meetings and site visits. It’s a whole new challenge for me and I can see what we have to do to design projects before they’re installed, all the calculations required and project management. It’s totally different to being in the workshop and I appreciate the entire process much more now as I am experiencing all the work that goes on before a job can even start.”

Adds Richard: “It’s so important to pass on knowledge and skills to young engineers and Technica shares this forward-thinking approach to learning. I’ve worked with apprentices throughout my career and, as well as teaching them how and why we do things, I learn from them too.”

“Jack is no exception and it’s a pleasure to mentor him. He makes mistakes but he learns from them and that’s vital. We’re currently working on a very big project that requires multiple site visits and client meetings, so he’ll have lots of opportunities to have his say and learn even more new skills from the experience – he’s an engineer of the future and a real asset to Technica.”