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Feb
11
2013

Technical Sales Manager ( International ) - Vacancy

 

Technical Sales Manager ( International )
We have an opportunity for a Technical Sales Manager to join our team.

This role is for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to operate as an account manager supporting our affiliates and distributors throughout the world. It is envisaged that the ideal candidate will be from within the Electrical Heat Tracing industry and will have experience with the technologies involved. Engineering experience is needed since duties may include training of distributer or customer engineering personnel or presenting Heat Trace Ltd and its capability to prospective clients.

An academic level of HNC/Degree is envisaged but lesser qualified personnel that can demonstrate the required skills and abilities will be considered. A presentable individual you must possess customer- interfacing skills and be commercially aware in order to maximise profitability in any decision-making.

Significant travel will be required to fulfil the requirements of the role, much being within Europe with occasional longer haul visits. Heat Trace Ltd has two operating sites Helsby and Bredbury both in Cheshire however the position can be home-based for the right person.

Please contact either Steve Bonner sbonner@heat-trace.com  or
Nicola Scappaticci-Fletcher nsfletcher@heat-trace.com for more information.


 

Nov
26
2012

'Our new Apprentices for September 2012'

 

Jane Pinfold and Joe Robinson
Heat Trace Ltd welcomes apprentices Jane Pinfold and Joe Robinson 

Heat Trace Ltd is proud to announce the recent employment of Jane Pinfold; Apprentice in Business & Administration and Joe Robinson; Apprentice in Engineering.

This introduction has taken place in September 2012 under our second phase of a formal apprenticeship scheme.

We once again received over 80 applications from across the North West for both roles. HR Manager, Nicola Scappaticci-Fletcher and Finance Director Dan Berrisford, selected 12 candidates to attend an assessment day at the Helsby factory. This consisted of a group exercise, a factory tour, a question and answer session and an interview.

Chairman, Neil Malone adds, “Having been an apprentice myself (at the start of the Industrial Revolution!), I appreciated the value elements - the engineering training I received has been the bedrock of my working life - whilst not enjoying the exploitation that existed at that time. So I needed no convincing of the potential to Heat Trace of introducing an Apprenticeship Scheme tailored to the requirements of both the company and the individual mutually. The deal is that the individual receives companywide training in all departments and disciplines, together with the external education needed to achieve appropriate qualifications. In return, Heat Trace potentially gets it's next generation of line managers and directors. Just like a football team, it's better to promote from within people trained in the company's values, than recruit externally individuals having values which may differ from our own. Now in our second year, we have four fine young people who I hope are the first on a conveyor belt of new young talent providing a continuous evolvement of the company, and of themselves. If they can grow and progress with the company, then that will be objective achieved. But, if not, I hope that the grounding provided to them will be a good one for a future outside of Heat Trace."

Jane Pinfold
Jane is following a 1 year Business and Administration NVQ Level 3 Apprenticeship and this is completed in the workplace with tutor support from Nigel Parton / Mid Cheshire College. Jane's Apprenticeship is run slightly differently to that of our other apprentices, whereby Jane has a monthly tutorial for a few hours per month and this includes both home and work learning.

Jane had been employed in the hospitality arena before joining Heat Trace, however wanted a change in career. Jane has on-the-job training by the person currently performing the role, along with broad training about Heat Trace and business in general including quality systems, finance, health and safety, IT and marketing.

Once Jane has successfully completed the course and training with ourselves, a full time role will be available.

Jane is presently managed by Dan Berrisford, our Finance Director and also under the watchful eye of Hayley Sheen, our present Sales and Export Administrator and Nicola Scappaticci-Fletcher, HR Manager.

HR Manager, Nicola says,  "Jane is presently showing us her enthusiasm, her ability to keep calm and her flexibility as a member of our team."

Apprentice, Jane says, "Joining the Apprenticeship Scheme at Heat Trace is proving to be an enjoyable way of learning new skills within the working environment. Having joined without any previous experience, the learning curve has been quite steep and the work is both varied and challenging. With the support of the most experienced members of the team, I am able to work towards attaining my NVQ Level 3 in Business & Administration and hope that the experience gained will stand me in good stead for the future."

Joe Robinson
Joe joined us in September 2012 after attending Helsby High 6th Form and completing his 'A' Levels/Btec in Engineering.

HR Manager, Nicola says,  "Joe is proving to be a good Apprentice and has already made a great start in our factory and also at college."

Mid Cheshire College has been chosen again this year for administrative support and for the delivery of the NVQ courses. As with our Apprentices last year (Mike Gibbons and Shaun Bailiff), Joe will study to gain an Apprenticeship in Engineering - NVQ level 3 on a day release basis. This will be achieved with the help of Fred Snelson from the Employer Services, who acts as a link between the college and Heat Trace Ltd.

For the remainder of the week Joe will gain valuable work experience on the shop floor and in other areas of the business for a real 'hands-on' lesson in how Heat Trace Ltd operates.

Apprentice, Joe says, "I was delighted to become the successful applicant for Heat Traces' Apprenticeship scheme this year. I believe an Apprenticeship with Heat Trace is going to give me a sound grounding in engineering and paves the way for my future career. Having already obtained my Level 3 certificate at Helsby High School, I am looking forward to gaining further qualifications with the advantage of work experience at the same time."


Note: The apprenticeship schemes are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognized qualifications. The apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils, while the National Apprenticeship Service helps towards funding the apprentices' training.
For further information visit:   http://apprenticeships.org.uk

 

Apr
20
2012

Heat Trace scores with two World's First in the Offshore sector . . . .

The World’s first electrically trace heated, reeled subsea pipe-in-pipe system, for Technip UK, plus ice and snow prevention systems for aluminium helidecks for Bayards Aluminium on the Stena DrillMax Ice, the World’s first ice class, +1A1 dual mast, polar class, ultra deepwater drillship.

Read the full News item
Apr
08
2012

Safety & Longevity of Self-Regulating Heating Cables

 -   The Advent of IT-S Technology

Ensuring temperature safety is the major obstacle for the designer of a heat tracing system.
Optimising performance service life is a further important objective.
This paper will demonstrate how IT-S ( Inherent Temperature Safety ) technology provides the best solution
to both these considerations.

Read the full News item
Feb
02
2012

Heat Trace Extends Product Guarantee

 Heat Trace has extended their guarantee period from 12 months to  "24 months from date of despatch, or 18 months from date of installation, which ever is sooner"  This will be applicable for all products supplied after January 2012.

For a full copy of Heat Traces' Terms and Conditions click link below:
(please note, you will need to be logged in to view)

Click to see full Terms & Conditions

Aug
16
2011

Technip Islay Subsea Project

 

Heat Trace Ltd - Subsea Project

                                                                   

Heat Trace Ltd has teamed up with Technip to deliver the world's first subsea electrically trace heated pipe-in-pipe (ETH-PIP) system. The end client is TOTAL E&P UK.

The Islay project consists of the natural depletion extraction of gas condensate from the Islay reservoir located in block 3/15 of the Northern North Sea, approximately 6km North East of the existing Forvie Manifold. It is this manifold to which the Islay pipeline will be connected. The full Islay project work scope covers installation of a 6 kilometre ETH-PIP, control umbilical, subsea structures and seabed preparation, including detailed design, engineering and project management.

The maximum wellhead shut-in pressure is 620 barg, with a wellhead flowing temperature of approximately 110 deg.C. The water depth at the Isay X-tree location is 122m. The Islay development has a design field life of 20 years.

The pipeline itself is a 6km long insulated Pipe-in-Pipe, comprising a 6" flowline pipe inside a 12" carrier pipe. The flow line is made from Super Duplex Stainless Steel, a material best suited for aggressive environments due to it's resistance to erosion, corrosion and corrosion fatigue. The 6km ETH-PIP pipeline is to be reeled onto the Apache II vessel in order to lay it on the seabed.

The Islay project is the World's first subsea electrically trace heated pipe-in-pipe technology using Heat Trace Ltd's LONGLINE series resistance heating cable. The LONGLINE is a cable featuring 3 individually insulated metal conductors encased within a metal braid and outer insulating jacket.

The LONGLINE heating cable maintains the temperature of the gas condensate to ease flow conditions and enhance production operability of subsea pipelines that can become blocked by the formation of hydrates or wax.

Successful application of this technology reduces capital and operating costs for fields with challenging flow assurance conditions. The Islay project is a pilot project for the use of this innovative pipeline technology, which is suited to both shallow and deepwater environments.

Logos  

Flowline Pipe, Trace Heating Cable, Optical Fibre Cables & Centralisers

Flowline Pipe, Trace Heating Cable,
Optical Fibre Cables & Centralisers

Flowline Pipe within the Carrier Pipe

Flowline Pipe within the Carrier Pipe

Design & Engineering

The heat tracing cable has been specifically designed for the Islay project. The cable is constructed from three metal heating conductors, each individually insulated and then brought together within a braid and outer jacket. This specially designed construction increases flexibility of the cable.

Manufacture of the LONGLINE cable was carried out completely in house at Heat Trace Ltd's Helsby and Bredbury facilities. The project comprises six pipe "stalks" each approximately 1km in length.  Each "stalk" requires a heating element of a single length in order to minimise cable joints and ease installation and handling. To achieve these cable lengths Heat Trace Ltd's metal extrusion facility produced conductors in infinite lengths which were then cut down to the required 1km lengths.

Whilst the Islay EHT-PIP system is a test project it is Heat Trace Ltd's intention to use the same metal extrusion technology for future subsea, above and below ground, multi-kilometre pipeline projects, to minimise the number of electrical power supply points.

In addition to the specialist metal extrusion process and cable construction, the heater for this particular project is connected to a single power supply of around 2000v, three phase. This is believed to be the highest voltage ever applied to a conventional heat tracing system. Another WORLD FIRST for Heat Trace Ltd.

Other areas of specialist design include the terminations and splice assemblies. Each power termination, splice and star connection method were specifically designed by Heat Trace Ltd and approved by Technip and Total.

All terminations use fast curing materials specifically designed for these terminations. Throughout the Design and Manufacture phases, Heat trace Ltd have continued to liaise with Technip to improve elements of the design where possible, working with all involved parties towards the common goal of providing this WORLD FIRST.

2km Drums of Longline awaiting despatch from Helsby.

2km Drums of Longline awaiting
despatch from our Helsby factory

Heat Trace Cable on winding machine

Heat trace cable on winding machine

Heat Tracing & Optical Fibre Cables being wound onto flow pipe.

Heat Tracing & Optical Fibre Cables
being wound onto flow pipe

Installation

The 6km long pipeline is manufactured in approximately 1km stalks, after which each 6" flowline pipe is inserted within the 12" carrier pipe. Whilst this process takes place, a cable application machine applies both the heat tracing and fibre optic cables. After each push, centralisers are applied to ensure the flowline is centred within the 12" carrier pipe, then, insulation material is applied between centralisers.

The next stage of the project is the pulling of each length on board the Apache II vessel. After the first length is reeled on board, the 6" flowline is welded to the next 6" flowline stalk. At this point the heat tracing cables are spliced together, the fibre optical cables are also spliced together, centralisers and insulation applied, and then the 12" carrier pipe is pulled over and finally welded.

During pipelay Heat Trace Ltd will have a member of staff on board the Apache II. This caters for the unlikely event of emergency pipe cutting being required during pipelay in the North Sea.

Apache II Pipe Laying Vessel

Apache II Pipe Laying Vessel

Sep
15
2011

Apprentice Scheme Success

Heat Trace Ltd is proud to announce the recent employment of two local students, Mike Gibbons and Shaun Bailiff under our first formal apprenticeship scheme.

The scheme is a 2-3 year flexible engineering apprenticeship aimed at delivering wide reaching skills and knowledge to the apprentices with a view to developing Heat Trace’s managers of the future

Chairman, Neil Malone says, “I was an apprentice engineer myself and appreciate the grounding that a good scheme can provide. The demise of the apprenticeship has recently been reversed; I’m pleased to say. It’s now our job to provide Mike and Shaun with an education both within and outside the company that will persuade them to want to make careers with Heat Trace. This is an evolutionary step for Heat Trace and I hope to see the next apprentices enrolled next year.”

It is important to Heat Trace to provide employment opportunities for young people from the local community. To promote the scheme, HR Manager Nicola Scappaticci-Fletcher and Finance Director Dan Berrisford visited the local secondary school, Helsby High. They were supported by Hayley Sheen and Mike Byrne who were able to give the students a good flavour of what it’s like to work at Heat Trace.

More than 80 applications were received from across the North West for the two positions from which Nicola and Dan selected 12 candidates to attend one of two assessment days at the Helsby factory consisting of a group exercise, a factory tour, a question and answer session and an interview.

Apprentice Mike,  “ The whole process has been a great learning curve for Shaun and myself. I believe it has set in place the foundations for any apprentices going forward. I’ve always had an interest in Engineering having completed a GNVQ Level 2 in Engineering and attending work experience with a large corporate company. I’m now looking forward to spending time within Heat Trace Ltd furthering my education and forming my career.”­­­

Shaun Bailiff and Mike Gibbons
Heat Trace Ltd welcomes apprentices Shaun Bailiff and Mike Gibbons 

All involved in the selection process were very impressed by the enthusiasm and high calibre of the candidates and after much deliberation Mike and Shaun were chosen. Both successful candidates had studied at Helsby High.

Chairman, Neil Malone adds, “The objective is to provide Mike and Shaun with training across all areas of the business including production, system design, sales and R&D to allow them to decide in which areas to pursue their careers. I look forward to our apprentices becoming the next generation of managers and directors of Heat Trace.”

Mid Cheshire College has been chosen for administrative support and for the delivery of the NVQ courses. Mike and Shaun will study to gain an Apprenticeship in Engineering - NVQ level 3 on a day release basis. This was achieved with the help of Fred Snelson from the Employer Services, who acts as a link between the college and Heat Trace Ltd.

For the remainder of the week the apprentices will gain valuable work experience on the shop floor and in other areas of the business for a real ‘hands-on’ lesson in how Heat Trace Ltd operates.

Apprentice Shaun,  “ This is a very exciting opportunity that Heat Trace Ltd has provided for both myself and Mike and a fantastic progression from completing my BTEC Level 3 in Engineering which I started in the lower sixth at Helsby High School. I am certainly looking forward to the challenges of learning a trade, and the experiences I will gain using the various techniques, machinery and processes that the factory utilize to manufacture their very specialised product.”

Given the success of the apprenticeship scheme this year, Heat Trace Ltd will be rolling it out further to take on a third office based apprentice in 2012, with the possibility of another apprentice based in the factory, so watch this space!

Note: The apprenticeship schemes are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognized qualifications. The apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils, while the National Apprenticeship Service helps towards funding the apprentices' training.
For further information visit:   http://apprenticeships.org.uk

 

Aug
15
2011

Bredbury Re-occupation

 

Bredbury Re-occupation Gains Pace:

        

Heat Trace Ltd has added a second manufacturing facility to supplement the Helsby headquarters.

The second location is at Bredbury, Stockport, some 50km from the Helsby plant. The Bredbury factory had previously been our main manufacturing facility from 1987 to 2005, when we moved to Helsby, but ownership had been retained to accommodate future growth.

The re-occupation of Bredbury now provides a second manufacturing base offering bespoke and unique process capabilities, a greatly enhanced Research & Development test lab facility, as well as much needed additional office space:-

Manufacturing:

 1) Metal Extrusion:
The major new capital item is the continuous metal extrusion line, a multi-million dollar investment. The line can be operated in numerous ways:-
-   To make profiles such as metallic foils or wires in infinite lengths. These may typically produce ‘Longline’ heating conductors, or power conductors
-   To over jacket cables with a continuous waterproof metal sheath. This provides an alternative to the metal braid in cases where, for example, a high mechanical strength is desirable.
-   To blend different metals to produce alloys having specific properties.
We are able to metal jacket virtually our entire range of cables in infinite lengths. This is ideal for applications such as embedded snow melting cables or ‘Downhole’ oil well applications where additional ruggedness is needed.
2) Constant Power Heaters:
After years of slow growth, sales of Constant Power heating cables are again on the increase! This is primarily due to the high temperature withstand (425ºC) and power capability of AHT cut-to-length cables. This patented product remains unique and without competition, and is being recognised as a very convenient option to MI cable, which is difficult to design, terminate, and install.
Manufacturing processes include glass and mica tape wrapping, contact metal spraying and metal over jacketing. Prior to the new continuous extrusion line, cable lengths were limited to 60-70m. Now lengths may be infinite (although circuit lengths are not!).
3) Silicone Rubber Extrusion:

Heat Trace Ltd  has, for more than 30 years had silicone rubber extrusion facilities, to manufacture products such as series ‘Longline’ and constant power parallel cables. Following years of somewhat spasmodic sales, demand has increased for these types of products, as evidenced by recent new applications such as sub-sea heating. Heat Trace is therefore investing in a new ‘state of the art’ elastomer extrusion line at Bredbury.

Research & Development Facility:

In the past R & D have had to utilise production extrusion lines whenever trials were needed. This could sometimes be at great expense to production! Now, whilst customer services will remain at Helsby, R & D is moving into Bredbury, where it will be provided with its own twin screw compounding line, elastomer and fluoropolymer sheathing lines and a film extrusion facility. DSC / TGA test equipment, hot press facilities and numerous pipe test rigs, including a skin effect test rig are being installed.

1) Personnel:

Heat Trace Ltd  Bredbury will by the end of 2011 house approximately 20+ staff involved in assembly operations, metal extrusion, constant power cable processes, and extrusion. The R & D team will work alongside a Sales team and Management.

It should be recognised that Heat Trace Ltd Bredbury will provide products and services unique worldwide in the heat tracing market.

This is a further step in the differentiation of Heat Trace Ltd from its competitors.

Apr
10
2011

“3rd Generation Heat Tracers Improve Safety”

 “Heat Trace explain how 3rd generation heat trace cables improve safety of heat tracing circuits and help to reduce overall system operating cost, without sacrificing high temperature performance”.

Read the full News item
Apr
14
2011

Conference 2011

HEAT TRACE WORLD CONFERENCE 2011 - 'Becoming the Best!'

Heat Trace Ltd hosted its biennial World Conference in the delightful Portmeirion Village, Wales, during April 2011.

It was deemed a great success and there were speakers from both Heat Trace Ltd as well as the Affiliate Companies.

The topics covered included the Evolution of Trace Heating, the latest Technical and Product developments as well as Sales and Marketing Strategies.

Please find below a selection of photos that were taken during the conference:

Read the full News item
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