Groveley Precision Engineering re-invests in new machinery

Groveley Precision Engineering has re-invested in new machinery due to increased aerospace and defence contracts, following its award of the SC21 bronze award supplier accreditation.
   In its latest £30,000 investment, Christchurch-based Groveley has installed a new five-axis machining centre and an 8-axis turning centre.
   And it will shortly recruit an additional machine programmer.
   Around £40,000 of the cost came in the form of a grant for energy-efficient machinery from Business Link’s IYRE scheme.
   The machinery was so large that Groveley needed to fit larger access doors and lay a new floor to take the extra weight. 

   Managing director Peter Bennet said: “SC21 has helped us increase our competitiveness by raising quality and speed of job turnaround for all our customers in their various industry sectors.
   “The aerospace industry has said it will increase by seven per cent each year for the next 15 years and we aim to win our share of that work.”
www.groveley-precision.co.uk     Picture by Phil Dowding

Groveley Detection appoints Australian distributor

Hazard detection specialist Groveley Detection has appointed Sydney-based ProDetec Pty Ltd as exclusive distributor for its ultrasonic gas leak detection range and gas aspirator detection systems in Australia, New Zealand, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.
   ProDetec is a specialised fire and gas sales and service company working in the oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, manufacturing, food, pharmaceutical and water treatment industries.
   Its systems and equipment have been used by major oil and gas operators and manufacturers since the 90s.
   ProDetec general manager Buddy Barakat said: “The Groveley Detection range of ultrasonic gas leak detectors and aspirators is of the same high quality product type that our customers expect from ProDetec.”
   Groveley’s managing director Robert Bennet said: “ProDetec is an ideal company for Groveley to partner with as they have the same excellent proactive approach to servicing their customers’ needs as we do. They now form a key part of our ongoing strategy for global expansion.”
www.groveley.com
www.prodetec.com.au

Convenience boosts sales of hanging baskets

Growing and production of hanging baskets has seen a 75 per cent boost at the Golden Acres garden centre group – probably due to their convenience and instant colour injection.
   The group grows its own bedding plants to make into hanging baskets - and this year will produce more than 5,000 baskets for sale in its five centres in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Warwickshire.
   It also supplies its hanging baskets for sale at other garden centres throughout the south.
   Group plant area co-ordinator Emma Green (pictured) said: “It takes a lot less water and time to maintain hanging baskets than garden beds, so for convenience – and because of the rising cost of water – many environmentally-aware people are focussing their efforts on baskets this year.
   “And most people buy them pre-made, as complete baskets are better value for money than buying the components and making them up.”
   This year’s production at focusses on using two or three colours – with red, white and blue being particular favorites – rather than traditional multi-coloured baskets.
   Emma said: “For many people, using colour themes in the garden is becoming as important as using them in their homes.
   “We still produce traditional wire and moss baskets, but most of our production is with rattan and plastic baskets, for their value.”
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk     Picture by Phil Dowding

And now for another 75!

It’s all happening at Child of Hope's slum-based school… although it couldn’t make room for the expected intake of children in February because the school’s next floor wasn’t ready, staff have come up with a solution to take in another 75 children – hot-desking!
   So some of the school's classrooms now do double shifts, and while the existing children still attending school until lunch, the new pupils arrive at 1.30pm for their lessons.
   Well… 1.30pm is the start time, but those kids are so keen to start, they are hanging off the school gates from around 12 noon. They love it.
   It means very little extra in the way of running costs, as staff are already paid for the whole day.
   That takes the total number of pupils to 280, with around half (148) now sponsored. The new floor should be finished by December or January, which will allow the UK-based charity to educate a further 50 children.

www.childofhopeuganda.org

Dahlia resurgence at Golden Acres

Dahlia sales are booming at Golden Acres Garden Centre in Landford – and staff say there is a resurgence of interest in the old-fashioned plant.
   The centre’s Judi Watkins said: “Dahlias flower all summer, they last for years, are very colourful and low-cost – all of which make them great value for money!
   “Sales at the centre are around 32 per cent higher than the last few years and it’s great to see the historic plant regaining its popularity. There's probably no plant that gives the gardener a more spectacular reward than the Dahlia.”
   Golden Acres grows its own Dahlias at its group nursery, where the huge colour variety makes a spectacular sight in the glasshouse.
   Dahlias are flexible for use in summer borders, in patio containers or as cut flowers, often flowering until the first frosts.
   Judi added: “They make gardening easy and most gardeners rarely grow just one. They range from the miniatures, just a few inches tall, to the huge-flowered, big glossy-leaved plants that grow up to five feet and bloom with flowers 10 or 12 inches across.
   “And they are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and situations.”
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk     Picture by Phil Dowding

Groveley Detection supplies ultrasonic gas leak detectors to Pembroke Refinery

Pembroke Refinery

Hazard detection specialist Groveley Detection has supplied and commissioned six of its GDU-Incus ultrasonic pressurised gas leak detectors to Chevron’s former Pembroke Refinery, now owned by Valero.

   The units will monitor potential leaks on a natural gas pipeline, covering a metering skid, pig catch area and pressure let down station.

   Groveley Detection’s managing director Robert Bennet said: “After market analysis by our client, the GDU-Incus was selected as the best for the application – one reason being that the product is built in the UK.”

    The hemispherical airborne leak detector has the ability to ‘hear’ deadly gas leaks even in the harshest of weather. It has a -55°C to +85°C operating temperature range for functionality in the most extreme environments, extended area coverage and features include self-testing and cleaning. 

   Groveley’s site engineers carried out a full mapping and system functional verification as part of the commissioning procedure.

   The Pembroke Refinery is located on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. Opened in 1964, it was first owned by the Regent Oil Company and is one of the largest, most complex refineries in Western Europe.

www.groveley.com