Pictured above: Welding of 18" diameter pipework at
Braishfield AGI near Romsey 2009
AN Ilkeston engineering firm which has been celebrating its 30th
anniversary is ending the year on a high note by winning the second
biggest contract in its history.
Rayden Engineering has just won a seven figure order, its
biggest this year, from Scotia Gas Networks for work at Farningham
in Kent to build a gas handling facility that will serve the south
and south east of England.
This will include everything from excavating, installing the
pipework, re-instating the land, to fitting security fencing and
gates.
Work will start on January 4 and last a year. It will include
setting up a small field campus with temporary buildings for
administration, storage and workers' welfare.
The contract is eclipsed only by another from Scotia Gas
Networks for a similar plant at Hardwick in Buckinghamshire which
finished in August last year after three years.
"Although we were satisfied with the value of our order book for
2010 winning the Farningham contract is the icing on the cake for
us in this, our 30th anniversary year," said Rayden's managing
director Richard Hayden, a former welder who set up the firm.
It was started to provide a specialist high-pressure pipe
welding and fabrication service which has diversified over the
years into a multi-disciplined company.
This includes installing pipework from initial greenfield stage
to final re-instatement, repairing, maintenance and modifications
to live gas installations.
The company has only just finished a critical contract in
Algeria, diverting a 40 inch diameter pipeline. Over the years it
has undertaken projects in Ireland, Portugal, Turkey, Russia,
Georgia and Gabon.
Pictured above: Rayden Transport loading gas pressure
reduction unit manufactured at Ilkeston depot 2009
Current work includes a project at Romsey, Hampshire, similar to
that at Farningham, gas pipeline work in Cumbria for United
Utilities, work on aviation fuel pipelines and storage facilities
for military and civil air bases across the UK, and providing a
pipeline maintenance service to National Grid Pipeline Maintenance
Centres throughout the British Isles, something it has done for 22
years.
The company is also doing large bore fabrication projects for
Elster-Instromet, including pressure testing, inspection, and
painting, at its premises in Wentworth Street, Ilkeston, its home
of 12 years.
The majority of its 100-strong workforce of highly-skilled
fitters, fabricators, technicians, welders, machine operators,
carpenters, steel fixers, and concrete finishers are engaged in
mechanical and civil engineering work countrywide.
Many have worked for the company for a large number of years and
helped it achieve UKAS accreditation to ISO 9001 14001 and 18001
for quality, environmental and health and safety management.
"It's being tough-going at times, but I have enjoyed every
minute," said Richard. "Our main focus is to look after our
customers and our employees - and this has paid dividends."
Despite the recession, the company has continued to flourish and
invest year by year in new vehicles, plant and equipment.