News

2014: A REVIEW

It’s been another busy year for all of us here at Technica. Just some of the highlights include; working on the $8 million design and procurement contract over in Puerto Rico for Excelerate Energy, securing places on two more national design and build frameworks, working on our first biomethane to grid entry facility project, winning the Barclay’s International Trade Award at the North Lincolnshire Business Awards and securing several new contracts here in Europe and abroad.
This is the perfect opportunity to thank you, our customers for the projects you’ve asked us to deliver this year and our staff who have worked hard to complete these projects on time and on budget.

2015 is set to be just as demanding as we enter our next phase of business growth and continue our transformation to become a medium-sized company. Our focus will be to further enhance the design engineering capacity of the business and continue to support, encourage and develop the exceptional young (and old!) talent we have within the team.

Once again, thanks for all your support this year – here’s to an even bigger and better 2015!

John Davison and Bryan Creed
Directors

ON BOARD WITH CADWorx®

In order to further enhance our design engineering offering we’re now using CADWorx® to enable the collaboration and review of our designs quicker and more intuitively.

CADWorx® facilitates 3D so users are able to reduce the need to interpret designs via paper printouts and other non-interactive methods.

Explains Dave Bennett, Project Engineer at Technica: “CADWorx® is an integrated, complete software series for plant design that provides intelligent drawing/database connectivity, advanced levels of automation and easy-to-use drafting tools.

“Several of our engineers and designers have recently completed training courses to ensure they are able to use the software to the very best of their abilities. Working in 3D is highly beneficial for us and our customers as well as being highly efficient and cost effective when it comes to project planning and approval.”

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.”