News: Darron hit by oil and gas downturn

The Rotherham facility of Darron SBO looks set to close as part of restructure plans set out by the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group.

The precision machining specialist operates a Canklow facility with modern machine tools and state of the art manufacturing capabilities supplying a range of high quality components to the oil and gas industries.

The Austrian-based Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG (SBO) and the entire oilfield service industry was hit by the expected slump of drilling activity in the first half of 2015. Low global oil prices has led to declining global drilling activity.

The company launched "initial corrective measures" last year, reviewing operations, reducing expenditure on plant, property and equipment and reducing the number of staff.

As part of this, SBO has decided to merge two UK subsidiaries, moving activity from Darron's site in Rotherham to Techman Engineering's site in Chesterfield.

In a statement, the company said: "Customer restraint in ordering went hand in hand with persistent pressure on prices. SBO started at an early point to take a set of measures to counter this tendency, but they could not fully absorb the effects of the downturn.

"SBO initiated a programme in the third quarter of 2014 to streamline cost structures of its UK activities. In view of the current business environment it was decided to merge operational activities of the two neighbouring subsidiaries "Techman Engineering Ltd" and "Darron Tool & Engineering Ltd" at the location of Techman. As a result, structural and sustainable cost benefits will be created after the programme has been completed.

"Restructuring is running according to plan and should be finished in 2015."

The headcount at SBO, which has operations worldwide, was 1,279 in June, down from 1,720 in December.

Darron Tool & Engineering (Sheffield) Ltd was founded in 1969 and became part of the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group in 2000.

Darron SBO website

Images: Darron SBO

Read more...

News: Darron SBO continues to take on passionate engineers

Rotherham precision machining specialist, Darron SBO has found its next apprentice through a employability programme which included an eye-opening two weeks at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre.

Darron manufactures a range of high quality components which are supplied to the oil and gas industries. Part of the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group, its Canklow facility has modern machine tools and state of the art manufacturing capabilities. The downhole tools specialist also uses the state of the art facilities at the AMRC Training Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham to help develop the apprentices it requires.

15 out of work 20 to 25 year olds took part in the JobCentre Plus programme which included time in the AMRC Training Centre workshop, getting a feel for what apprenticeships and engineering are all about, in addition to improving their interview, CV writing and personal skills with the Sheffield-based, employer-led Work-Wise Foundation.

Sam Jackson (22) enjoyed his two weeks at the Training Centre so much that he decided to apply for an apprenticeship through the Centre. He said: "It was a really, really life changing opportunity and pointed me in the right direction. Two weeks at the AMRC Training Centre made my mind up. It was something I definitely wanted to do. It was brilliant."

After successfully attending one of the centre's rigorous assessment days he secured an interview with Darron SBO, where he went on to impress.

Denis Smith, head of quality control at Darron SBO, said: "We saw four or five candidates and Sam definitely stood out.

"Engineering is all about passion. All the experienced machinists we have got on site have a passion about their work and a pride in what they do.

"Sam brought examples of the work he had done at the AMRC Training Centre, explained how he had made them and was glowing with pride for what he had achieved."

Sam begins his Darron SBO sponsored AMRC apprenticeship next month and will begin working to secure a Level 2 NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations on the way to studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering as an Advanced Apprentice before joining Darron SBO's 80-strong shop floor workforce.

Kerry Featherstone, head of operations at the AMRC Training Centre, said: "We were delighted to be able to work with JobCentre Plus and Work-Wise to give these young people an understanding of the opportunities that are available in engineering.

"Sam's success shows that even if you left school some time ago and have been out of work for a while, you could still become an apprentice and work towards a career in the advanced manufacturing sector.

"We were able to run the two week engineering taster while our full time apprentices were taking a summer break. We hope to be able to repeat the exercise in future so that more people out of work and in their 20s can learn about the possibilities in engineering."

Darron SBO website
AMRC Training Centre

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: New intake at AMRC Training Centre

14 new apprentices have begun their training at the state of the art AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham.

Part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, the AMRC Training Centre is a £20.5m centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham where the focus is on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The centre delivers high-level training, concentrating on sectors such as aerospace, energy and Formula One. It also hosts part time CPD courses with the training schedule guided by industrial partners and participating companies.

The first batch of 150 advanced apprentices began their training in January and are sponsored by employers ranging from smaller manufacturing companies to major companies such as Rolls-Royce. The training is employer-led which ensures that the apprentices gain a tailored set of skills and hands on experience that employers require.

Supported by the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund, 250 students a year, aged from 16 upwards, will be taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The new recruits have recently begun on either machining or maintenance pathways. They will be at the centre for between six to 12 months and will start with the basics, including health & safety, personal learning & thinking, engineering principles and so on. Rotherham firms supporting apprentices include Macalloy, Bennett Saws and Darron SBO.

Mick Fairman, trainer at the AMRC Training Centre said: "I'm impressed so far by the standard and calibre of the new apprentices. They are knuckling down and taking this opportunity seriously. We've got some good talent and I hope they keep it up."

The application window is now open for the September intake of apprentices with an open event taking place tomorrow, May 1 between 4pm-7pm. Trainers and current apprentices will be on hand to discuss life at the AMRC. Tours will be taking place of the facility that has been designed as a real manufacturing environment rather than a training environment.

The centre is expecting to fill 250 apprentice vacancies in September. To book a place on the event, visit the AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC Training Centre

Read more...

News: Manufacturing bosses go back to the floor at AMRC Training Centre

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, directors and executives of local manufacturing firms have taken the opportunity to go back to the floor and find out what life is like for the new breed of apprentices at the recently opened AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham.

Part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, the AMRC Training Centre is a £20.5m centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham where the focus is on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The centre delivers high-level training, concentrating on sectors such as aerospace, energy and Formula One. It also hosts part time CPD courses with the training schedule guided by industrial partners and participating companies.

The first batch of 150 advanced apprentices began their training in January and are sponsored by employers ranging from smaller manufacturing companies to major companies such as Rolls-Royce.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP also made a private visit to the centre where the Sheffield Hallam MP was guided around the state of the art facilities by the apprentices themselves, hearing at first hand their experiences of hands-on education within a world-class University research centre.

Alison Bettac, training centre director at the AMRC, said: "The apprentices were really pleased to tell the Deputy Prime Minister what this earn-as-you-learn approach means to them, and to share their enthusiasm for this unique and growing opportunity.

"We were also able to discuss with Nick Clegg the way that this wonderful facility is challenging ideas about apprenticeships and lifting people's expectations of what apprenticeships can be.

"We want people to see the superb facilities we have here, and to understand what this can mean for young people and for businesses. That is why this week we are also welcomed employers to take part in a "back to the floor" day, to experience life as an apprentice in this environment. We know they are incredibly impressed by what we do, and what a skilled workforce trained in this high-tech environment can offer to their businesses in future."

Those becoming apprentices for the day included Clive Porter of Darron SBO, Mark Webber from Tinsley Bridge, Craig McKay from Evenort, David O'Hara from MTL, Vince Middleton from Newburgh Engineering (pictured top, left), Charles Robertson from Helix Tools and Mick Hood from Tata Steel.

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC / Facebook

Read more...

News: Darron SBO announces TWI membership

Rotherham manufacturer, Darron SBO has become an industrial member of The Welding Institute (TWI) to help improve their performance.

Darron manufactures a range of high quality components which are supplied to the oil and gas industries. Part of the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group, their Canklow facility has modern machine tools and state of the art manufacturing capabilities.

TWI is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies.

The Cambridge organisation has a Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham where experts provide technical support in joining and technologies such as material science, structural integrity, NDT, surfacing, electronic packaging and cutting.

As member of TWI, Darron now has access to a wealth of knowledge and research that will allow them to progress their already first-class welding and hardfacing processes. They will be able to pose technical queries and get involved in R&D programmes. TWI also provides consultancy services and help with standards, training and qualification.

Darron already has extensive welding capabilities, carrying out various manual hardfacing processes as well as laser deposition. Membership of TWI will ensure Darron can enhance these processes even further as well as explore new technologies.

The firm are experts in gun drilling, the flexible and effective process for producing close tolerance holes with smooth surface finishes; and laser hardfacing which applies a thin layer of tungsten carbide to downhole tools.

Darron SBO website

TWI website

Images: darron-sbo.com

Read more...

News: Recognition for Rotherham apprentices

Rotherham metallurgy companies have recognised the achievements of their apprentices at the annual awards evening of Metskill - part of Semta, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

The awards, which recognise the training and development achievements of companies and employees working in the metals sector, were presented by Stephen Tilsley, Chairman of Metskill and Darryl Lomas, a member of Metskill's Employer Services team at an event at the Cutler's Hall in Sheffield.

Reece Davy from Darron SBO was runner-up for the Craft Skills Award. Reece started his apprenticeship with Darron SBO in September 2006, demonstrating an aptitude for design, drawing and machining.

Darron SBO are part of the Schoeller Bleckman Group, and provide manufacturing services and drilling products to the oil and gas sectors.

Darron has an established engineering training school that recruits 5 apprentices a year. This is proving highly successful, so much so that competition for places on a Darron apprenticeship scheme is a prize worth winning and Darron has instigated its own apprenticeship performance award for their yearly intake.

Darron candidates receiving their certificates for completing their Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering were – Ryan Bailey, Harry Clayton, Jack Culyer, Reece Davy, Kieron Fairchild, Liam Fox and Pat Whittaker.

Erica Gateley from Corus Long Products was a runner-up for the Career Development Award.

From Corus Long Products and collecting awards for completing there Advanced Apprenticeships in Metal Processing and Allied Operations were – Erica Gateley, Teri Leigh Gillespie, Dominic McIntosh, Jon McNair and Thomas Sharman.

Darron website
Corus website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Practical MAS support gives Darron the Tools to succeed

Rotherham firm, Darron Tool & Engineering has achieved an outstanding 200% boost in sales thanks to practical support and on-site training from The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Yorkshire & Humber. Darron manufactures a range of high quality components which are supplied to the oil and gas industries and invited MAS specialist Kerry Cochran to assist in identifying improvements in their manufacturing processes by eliminating waste and assist in ensuring a "right first time" culture. Darron’s manufacturing director, Gerald Smith explained: "It was vital for us to improve our production planning process and reduce machine downtime and scrap if we were going to achieve both customer and shareholder demands. MAS has played a vital role in helping us to address these issues, resulting in a 40% reduction in overdue orders; as well as modernising our approach so that we could introduce ‘Lean’ into our manufacturing operations. "Since working with MAS, we’ve improved our performance to our customers and received encouraging comments from our parent company (the Schoeller-Bleckmann group)." The company is now making significant leaps forward; an aggressive sales plan has been delivered, helping to increase sales by 200% since 2005, with similar improvements seen in profitability.

Darron Tools website

MAS Y&H website

The Star article

Rotherham

Read more...