Member Article

Engineering firm elevates lift training for manufacturing sector

The lift and escalator consultancy arm of a multi-disciplined engineering business is set to deliver a first in industrial and warehouse lift training after spotting a gap in the market.

And the service offering boost follows a year in which the firm also bolstered its operations with the appointment of a key engineering resource, who has been in the sector for 30 years.

The adi VT Lift & Escalator Consultancy, based in Birmingham, has been in hot demand over the past year, as Britain’s manufacturing sector seeks to continue operations in a tough economic climate.

And after putting its services firmly on the map with appointment of senior consultant Richard Arnold last August, coupled with its association with some of the biggest food manufacturers around, adi VT MD Vance Cunningham now has his sights set on elevating his businesses’ potential even further:

“All too often we see industrial and manufacturing lifts being used incorrectly,” he said.

“These types of machinery are made to withstand immense pressure and weight loads, yet you’ll often find this as an excuse for forklifts, personnel or other types of equipment being loaded incorrectly.

“What staff don’t realise is that not only are they putting themselves at substantial risk of injury, but they are also potentially risking a massive loss of downtime if repairs are needed, costing manufacturers millions of pounds every year in the worst case scenarios.

“Of course, industrial and warehouse environments are subject to regular health and safety checks, and operators will have received some kind of training in lifting equipment operation, but there doesn’t appear to be a formal training programme out there. This is why I’m looking at the possibility of coupling the expertise we have in installing this equipment, with the knowledge that goes alongside it, for the benefit of others.”

The adi VT division is well versed in delivering mechanical handling, refurbishment and replacement support and maintenance programmes, alongside complete project line services across the manufacturing industry, as well as retail, commercial, educational, healthcare and leisure industries.

Its offering has supported these sectors throughout the coronavirus pandemic, as organisations sought to manage workflows, through traffic and adapt environments based on COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

Throughout the last six months, the team at adi VT has travelled up and down the country, visiting sites and showcasing videos. The business has provided in-depth demonstrations as part of this new adi VT lift training service.

“Manufacturers now realise that it’s unlikely the country will return to the old ways of working – the pandemic has clearly been a huge wake-up call to the cost of downtime,” added Vance.

“Businesses utilising our services will be taking a positive step towards protecting their employees, as well as improving service efficiency. This will be achieved by increasing lift availability and reducing the cost of potential, expensive repairs,” he continued.

With workplace injury and ill health costing employers approximately £3.2bn a year, adi VT’s new offering looks set to strike a tone with operations and facilities managers.

And with one of the most common work-related injury causes being contact with objects and equipment, Vance feels it is a poignant time to be formalising industrial and warehouse lift training within the facilities sector.

“The past twelve months have been hard for everyone, but with some kind of normality on the periphery, businesses should be reviewing their latest health and safety measures, and maintenance inspections, as well as ensuring their workforce know how to use and manage lifting equipment in a safe and appropriate way,” he added.

“What I’m hoping is that this kind of training can be certified, and with over 70 years of experience in the division, I’m sure that adi VT will be at the forefront of this programme.”

The adi VT business is always on the lookout for talented individuals to join its ranks as it expands its consultancy services across the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by adi Group .