Award Success for Electrical Apprentice Alex

Intelect’s Electrical Apprentice, Alex Mason, has been named the North East Electrical Apprentice of the Year, by training provider, JTL.

Alex, who is one of 30 apprentices currently employed by Intelect, fought off fierce competition from other final year apprentices in the region, after being nominated by his JTL training officer, Paul Moorcock.

Since starting his apprenticeship in 2013, Alex has made significant progress, completing his HNC in Electrical Engineering, alongside completing the final year of his apprenticeship.

“My apprenticeship was a great learning opportunity for me, as it not only gave me workplace skills, but also life skills too. It’s helped me get one step closer to my end career goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer”, said Alex.

“Winning the award definitely came as a surprise to me, but it’s nice to be recognised for all of my hard work” he continued.

His training officer, Paul Moorcock, nominated him for the award after being impressed by his progress over the past 4 years. “Alex was always very proactive in completing his apprenticeship, he completed his course 6 months earlier than expected”.

“He has embraced his apprenticeship, and really sees the value it contributes towards his future progression” he added.

Alex plans to continue his career with Intelect, and has recently started a degree apprenticeship in Embedded Electronic Systems Design, eventually hoping to become a Project Manager.

Following his success in the North East heat, Alex will continue to the next stage of the awards, where he will go up against the winning apprentice from the Yorkshire region, to decide who will go to the JTL National Awards in London on the 6th of June 2019.

Alex was presented with his award at Intelect’s Head Office in Riverside Park, by JTL’s Regional Manager, Brian Mills, and will find out in the coming weeks if he has been successful in the next stage.

Middlesbrough based engineering company, Intelect have been working with JTL for over a decade, working together to train over 50 successful Electrical Apprentices in this time.

Company Accountant

Job Description:

Highly motivated individual required to take on a varied role for four growing Companies. Due to the diversity of the position, experience, accuracy, attention to detail and being able to communicate effectively with management are considered to be more important than a recognised accounting qualification. There is an opportunity for future development of the role, and support will be given to candidates who wish to further their education.

Key roles and responsibilities:

Experience Sage Line 50.
Manage the development and mentoring of the Finance Team. Ensure effective delegation to the team so that all tasks are performed on a timely basis and to a high quality.
Lead cash flow management and forecasting for 4 x companies. Must supply accurate cash flow forecasts which are reviewed and maintained daily.
Produce monthly Management Accounts for 4 Companies, reporting to Company Secretary and Company Directors.
Hold monthly work in progress meetings to review open projects, and prepare month end work in progress journals.
Project manage implementation of new job costing system, and support training throughout 4 x companies.
VAT (4 x companies) plus knowledge of MTD.
Payroll (monthly and weekly), including year end, ensuring HMRC compliant and timely payment of PAYE/NI/Apprentice Levy.
Knowledge of Auto Enrolment.
Reconciliation and monitoring of 6 x bank accounts.
Petty cash.
Ensure Companies meet the needs of Construction Industry Scheme and deadline for monthly returns.
Ad hoc duties as requested by Directors.
Liaise with auditors at year end.

Applications

All CV’s should be sent to careers@intelectuk.com.

Closing date for all applications: 15/03/19.

Intelect becomes High Tide Corporate Partner

High Tide Corporate Partners. Picture sourced from www.hightidefoundation.co.uk

Intelect and five other industry-leading Teesside businesses, have signed up as corporate partners to work with High Tide.

Founded in 2012, the Tees Valley charity, dedicated to offering young people valuable career experiences, has grown significantly over the last six years, creating a level of membership which offers considerable benefits both to the Foundation and businesses in the region.

Fran Cormican, Managing Director of Intelect, said: “We are thrilled to be entering 2019 as one of High Tide’s corporate partners. My fellow directors and I all started our careers as apprentices, and now apprenticeships are a major driving force in our business’ success.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to support the young people of our area, than to partner with a charity that promotes the same values when it comes to providing opportunities to the youth of Teesside.”

Read the full story here: www.hightidefoundation.co.uk/news/high-tide-buoyed-by-tees-valley-businesses

Think For 30 Seconds Health & Safety campaign

TF-30″ Think For Thirty Seconds

Intelect’s Health & Safety manager Dave Ritchie introduced the ‘Think For 30 Seconds’ campaign towards the end of 2017. The campaign is aimed at all members of staff and sub-contractors working at our own premises, on site or driving between locations.

The point behind the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks that appear around us throughout our working day and to remind us that pausing to consider how to proceed can prevent an accident.

The TF-30″ logo that appears at the top of the page has been designed to help us remember the importance of keeping ourselves and our colleagues safe in the workplace. We have had some stickers made up, which will be finding their way around vaious sites, equipment and vehicles. If anyone would like to request some for tool boxes or machinery then please contact Dave Ritchie on 07702 913252 or email Dave.Ritchie@intelectuk.com.

We have also introduced a QR Code into the design which can be scanned using the camera of your mobile device. The QR Code will provide a link to information relating to health and safety topics, and initiatives which will be updated periodically.

Why is this campaign so important?

There is no doubt keeping safe at work is important, no one would wish an accident upon themselves or a colleague, but you might wonder why we need to have campaigns, surely we all do our best every day to keep ourselves safe?

Well you would think so yes, but ask yourself honestly. Have you ever operated a piece of equipment or machinery with out the correct eyewear or ppe? Have you ever operated a piece of equipment or machinery without the correct PPE or the correct checks being completed? Have you ever driven a vehicle without defrosting it fully, or stood on something that’s not designed to be stood on to allow you to reach?

It’s these small oversights that we want to tighten up on so ‘daft accidents’ are avoided alongside more serious risks.

It’s good for business

Growing our business, securing work and jobs is equally important in maintaining a strong Health & Saftey strategy. In order for Intelect to achieve the accreditations and awards required to win new contracts and secure existing clients, we need to demonstrate our commitment to best practices accross our business. Please help us achieve our long term goals by adhering to, and suggesting improvements, for best practices.

We have produced some posters to help promote health and safety at work

If you would like to get some posters or stickers for use by your team, if you have any questions or need support, please contact Dave Ritchie (Health & Safety Manager) on 07702 913252 or email Dave.Ritchie@intelectuk.com.

Martin Heywood – Glanford & Scunthorpe Canoe Club

Glanford & Scunthorpe Canoe Club

Martin Heywood, Senior Design engineer at Intelect’s Grimsby office, and Publicity Officer and coach at Glanford and Scunthorpe Canoe Club, has helped to secure a grant for £10,000 from Sport England for eight brand new marathon racing kayaks and paddles. Martin then arranged the official unveiling in front of the local press by Andrew Percy MP and Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council. Martin is in the centre of the photo below (at the back with the dark glasses) with Andrew Percy MP to his right. Rob Waltham is third from the left at the back. Also present in the photo are our marathon paddlers, and watching were other club members and parents. The publicity is important as Sport England like to see that their grant of National Lottery money is being reported to the local community.

Martin has been working hard all year on the club’s River Development Plan, writing the specification, getting quotes and preparing a presentation. The aim is to improve the competitive training facilities so we can develop slalom and polo as well as marathon. The award of the £10K grant is just the start! The project includes repairs to the river bank on both sides, installation of disable access paths, a floating rise-and fall jetty and to install permanent steel wires and poles across the river for a slalom course. Intelect Grimsby have quoted for this part and as few years ago Intelect Middlesbrough installed a similar system at the Tees Barrage whitewater centre in Middlesbrough. After the marathon kayak unveiling, Martin presented the project to our MP and council leader and they were very supportive. However, there were no promises of the funds necessary, so if anyone has £130K to spare please contact Martin ASAP!

Martin (left) with the award sponsor, club chair Iain Cameron and coach Steve Burnett

The week after the boat unveiling it was the prestigious North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Champion Awards at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe. GSCC had two nominations: Community Sports Team of the Year for winning the Yorkshire Marathon league and taking our young paddlers to London, and Sports Achiever of the Year for one of our coaches. Much to the delight of our enthusiastic young supporters in the hall, we won both!

Our 20th anniversary a birthday to remember

This year Intelect celebrates 20 years in business, are named amongst the North Easts Fastest 50 companies in 2017 and are leading the field in our disciplines with a turnover in excess of £20 million per year.

To say that we’re proud of our staff and their achievements is an understatement, so on Saturday 14^th October 2017, we came together as a company to celebrate our 20th birthday.

The venue was The HUB at Teesside Universities student union bar, with musical accompaniment by The Last Anthem band, casino tables and a hot and cold buffet.

The evening was hosted by directors, Fran Cormican and John Thompson, who commenced preceedings by thanking everyone for attending, followed by a review of how Intelect began, their growth and expansion, concluding with their hopes and targets for the business going forward.

Tom Blakemore receives the Charlie Baker Apprentice Award

The Charlie Baker Apprentice Award is given in memory of a well loved and successful member of our team, who sadly passed away in 2014. The award, which was voted for by the directors, was presented to Tom Blakemore by Janet Baker (Charlie’s wife), in recognition of the work ethic he has demonstrated throughout his apprenticeship at Intelect.

A special thanks

In recognition of their support the directors gave out flowers to their wives. Miranda and Lyndsey were thanked for organising the event and last but not least Hazel Hewitson (Accounting Manager) was recognised for “being their rock” throughout the 20 years, since Intelect’s formation.

A great night was had by all

As you can see from the gallery below the night was a huge success and continued on into the early hours!

Intelect and KP Snacks, Teesside

Intelect’s John Henderson (Senior Electrical Supervisor) heads up the team of 5 electrical engineers who work on a long term contract at KP’s manufacturing plant on Teesside.

Intelect have been working at the plant since 2000, with John’s team permanently on site since 2005. Their role on the site is split between project, maintenance and repair work to both the production line and the building.

Working alongside KP’s own staff

The factory underwent substantial works when the roof was replaced in 2010, Intelect were heavily involved in this project, installing the switchboard into a new switch room, connecting the electrical and mechanical services to various parts of the line.

Special projects

Alongside the contracted electrical work, Intelect are involved with special projects to increase productivity, safety and efficiency of the food processing and packaging lines. The following video, produced by KP Snacks, shows the inside of their manufacturing plant on Teesside. Below the video we’ve described projects that Intelect have worked on as part of their ongoing relationship with KP.

Process Monitoring

Process monitoring allows the client to measure the input and output of particular production line, helping to optimise energy conservation and performance.

Working with the KP team, Intelect have installed energy monitors, airflow meters and photocells including the design and manufacture of any brackets, fixings and guards.

Conveyors and robotic systems

Most of the conveyor systems used to transport product around the facility were designed, manufactured and installed by our mechanical and electrical teams. The robotic auto palletisation equipment was purchased from a third party company and installed by Intelect as part of the packaging line.

Access bridges and inspection platforms

Our mechanical team were also involved in the design and installation of stepover, access and inspection platforms, all of which are built in-house to BSEN 1090.

Electric, air and water supply

During the process area roof refurbishment in 2010, Intelect installed:

Emergency lighting.
Electric supplies for lighting and machines.
Airlines for pneumatics actuation.

Additional pipework and air handling units were designed and installed by Intelect to provide:

Steam & condensate pipework.
Air handling units and extract fans.

The team

John Henderson’s team at KP are self managed and responsible for their own equipment and practices on site.

All staff are IPAF accredited.
Dressed in all the appropriate PPE for the food industry with internal pockets.
Single piece food safe pens.

We recently purchased an additional MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) and podium scaffolds to reduce the need to use stepladders on site, the podium scaffolds provide a stable and compact platform that allows staff to work comfortably and safely at lower heights. The MEWP’s can also fit into tighter spaces and they extend to around 5.5 metres, for heights in excess of this we also keep scissor lifts and boom lifts on site.

Intelect are a multidiscipline company and are able to support the KP team with skills in order for them to achieve their daily activities or project work.

New ladder standards for working at heights

The product standards for portable ladders are changing in 2018. BS EN 131 which covers all types of portable ladders has been substantially revised. The changes that come with this revision will help improve the safety of ladders and make buying the right ladder simpler.

These changes will affect everyone involved with ladders, from users and specifiers to suppliers and health & safety professionals.

The document below produced by the Ladder Association will help explain the chages and how they will effect those who work at heights.

If any of our staff or customers would like to discuss the impact of this change in detail, Dave Ritchie, Intelect’s Health & Safety Manger, would be happy to answer your questions.

Tel: 01642 878784
Mob: 07702913252
Email: Dave.ritchie@intelectuk.com

New Ladder Standards

Intelect named in the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 list

Intelect were named amongst the North Easts Fastest 50 companies this year, ranking a very respectable 26th out of 50 and 9th in their category of medium-sized businesses. 2017 marks the 20th-anniversary of the awards and coincides with Intelect's own 20th-anniversary celebrations.

The Fastest 50 list was founded by the law firm Ward Hadaway in 1998 to recognise outstanding achievement by companies in the North East, with awards given to small, medium-sized and large companies in an attempt to recognise and encourage both new and established businesses from within our region.

Intelect have never shied away from opportunities, investing in both their facilities and their staff, recruiting key personnel to help the business evolve into the multidisciplined company it is today.

We can supply skilled engineers to work within your organisation or we can take the lead providing a complete CDM package, designing, refurbishing and relocating manufacturing plants and production lines.

With teams specialising in electrical installation, control panel design and build, pipework services, machining and fabrication, Intelect have a proven record with customers involved in food manufacturing, utility supplies, heavy industry and the renewable energy sector.

The team at Intelect would like to congratulate Puregas Solutions, Sunderland on winning the award for the overall fastest growing North East business of 2017, as well as being named the fastest growing medium-sized business in the region.

Intelect have worked alongside Puregas in the installation of a number of biogas plants in the UK and Ireland and hopes to continue this successful relationship into the future.

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP) a proactive approach to Health & Safety

Intelect receive praise from KP on their proactive approach to working at heights at their Teesside site

"This is just the type of proactive approach we want to mitigate the risk of WAH." HSE Manager at KP Snacks, Teesside, describes Intelect's decision to invest in additional equipment for their staff. Intelect currently have 5 regular members of staff working on a long-term contract at the snack manufacturers Billingham site. The team headed up by John Henderson are responsible for the electrical installations and maintenance of the building. Intelect also work alongside KP's own staff to design, manufacture and install equipment that monitors and improves the performance of production line.

As part of their daily activity, the team are working at heights as described by the Health and Safety Executive

"Work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. You are working at height if you:

work above ground/floor level
could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface or
could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground

Work at height does not include a slip or a trip on the level, as a fall from height has to involve a fall from one level to a lower level, nor does it include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building."

Investing in safety

Whilst step ladders are suitable for low-risk and short duration tasks (under 30mins) Intelect were keen to impress upon KP their commitment to going above and beyond what is required by legislation if it will make the working environment safer.

The additional MEWP's (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) and podium scaffolds were purchased to reduce the need to use stepladders on site, the podium scaffolds provide a stable and compact platform that allows staff to work comfortably and safely at lower heights. The MEWP's can also fit into tighter spaces and they extend to around 5.5 metres, for heights in excess of this we also keep scissor lifts and boom lifts on site. All staff working at heights are IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) certified.

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