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Certex (UK) Turbine Solution Boost Handling Safety

Certex UK – news article

Certex, the leading supplier of lifting products to the renewable energy market, has designed a bespoke solution for handling the latest large-scale wind turbines towers.

In what is still a relatively young industry, design innovation is high, meaning changes in turbine specifications are common. As manufacturers reach new heights they are also producing larger and heavier components.

Following a request from a prominent UK manufacturer (CS Wind), a new lifting hook was designed to be used in conjunction with high capacity reach stackers. The hooks are integral in the lifting of wind turbines towers, adding security and safety, whilst allowing manufacturers and installers to utilise existing materials handling equipment.

The 150-tonne J-Hooks have an indefinite lifespan, if inspections and maintenance are frequently carried out. Certex Renewables Product Manager, Joel Pollard explains how the international locations of Certex and its sister companies worked in collaboration on the project. Said Joel: “The J-Hook was manufactured by our colleagues in Denmark, and was tested at our sister company, Peter Harbo. We obviously have a lot of expertise in-house, and our connection to the Scandinavian alternative energy sector helps enormously.”

For maximum safety, the 150,000kg J-Hooks were tested in a 1,200-tonne test bench. The special design of the bench enables pull tests of items up to 900 tonnes and is equipped with precise sensors that will reveal any elongation. With the current growth in alternative energy, and a number of prominent investments in wind farm technology, expertise in lifting, installing and inspecting is on the rise in the UK. With help from Joel and Certex (UK), the new J-Hooks are now also being considered for use by related businesses in Germany.

Joel continues: “We are extremely proud to be offering lifting products specifically for the renewables market. With the expertise to design bespoke solutions tailored to our customers’ needs, we are confident our products can help towards the world’s renewable energy goals.”

Certex also provides steel wire rope, lifting equipment and services to customers in the industrial, oil and gas, renewable and elevator markets. Part of Axel Johnson International, Certex has an extensive presence in the green energy sector, with business in Scandinavia, The Netherlands, the Baltics, Russia, Germany, as well as the UK. Its team is highly skilled in providing bespoke, high specification lifting products and services, with hi-tech facilities for the processing of steel wire rope assemblies.

Parent company, Axel Johnson, is a $13bn turnover business and employs more than 22,000 people worldwide. It can trace its roots back to 1873, when the 29-year old saddler’s son Axel Johnson, started his first trading business in Stockholm. Today it is run by fourth and fifth generations of the family and is highly respected for both its financial security and commitment to sustainable development.

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Certex invests in Hull as robust growth continues in renewable energy industry

Supplier to the international wind energy market, Certex UK, is to expand its renewables and lifting operations in the Humber region with the opening of a new office and workshop in Hull, and plans for long-term investment in the local community.

The new facility is fundamental to the company’s support plans for the burgeoning offshore wind energy market, to which they supply equipment and inspection services. Certex’s specialist inspectors travel across the country and Europe, working offshore and on-shore. The Hull office and workshop location will co-ordinate work undertaken to ensure all turbine installations and safety precautions adhere to UK legislation. It will be Certex’s eighth UK location, with other offices based in Aberdeen, Montrose, Harworth (Doncaster), Gloucester, Basingstoke, Huddersfield and Great Yarmouth; whilst sister-company, Peter Harbo, also serves the renewable sector in and around Denmark.

“We are really pleased to be expanding the business into Hull, especially during this significant year for the city,” says Jim Donelan, Business Development Manager at Certex UK.

“Providing jobs and training to the local workforce is important to us as a business, and we are confident the Hull community can support us in our service to the wind industry and other businesses in the area.”

Certex is amongst the first support businesses to commit to new investment since the Humber region saw a significant boost of £310 million into the wind turbine industry, creating up to 1,000 jobs directly, with additional jobs during construction and indirectly in the supply chain. The investment will provide a huge boost to the UK’s offshore wind industry as well as the Humber region.

Certex plans to employ and train local labour for the new branch, which will see a recruitment drive for on-shore vacancies as well as off-shore roles. In addition to providing support to Hull’s recently bolstered wind energy market, Certex will also provide same day service on stocked specialist lifting products to its local customers.

“Our growth and acquisition program has begun to reap rewards and we are delighted to be able to offer our current and new customers an increasing level of service from the geographic benefits of this new strategic location,” says Kevin Smith, Managing Director at Certex UK.

Certex has an extensive presence in Scandinavia, The Netherlands, the Baltics, Russia, Germany, as well as the UK. In addition to specialist lifting products, inspections and maintenance, its team is highly skilled in providing bespoke, high specification lifting services for the processing of steel wire rope assemblies to customers in the manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, offshore, oil, gas and shipping industries.

Certex UK is part of Axel Johnson International’s business group AxLoad. The parent company, Axel Johnson, is a $13bn turnover family business employing more than 22,000 people worldwide.

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Pritchard Tyrite and TRS Motorsport Equipment become part of Certex

Wire ropes and lifting gear distributor, Certex UK, has acquired cargo control business Pritchard Tyrite and its sister-company TRS Motorsport Equipment in a deal that is expected to open up important market opportunities. 

Best known for its range of lashings, curtainsider straps and tarpaulins, Pritchard Tyrite is one of the UK’s leading importers, manufacturers and distributors of cargo control equipment. Pritchard Tyrite’s focus on the transport sector neatly aligns with Certex’s wider focus on wire ropes and lifting gear in the offshore, ports, crane and other major markets.

Pritchard Tyrite’s sister company TRS Motorsport Equipment, in turn, is a manufacturer and distributor of FIA approved motorsport safety harnesses, road harnesses, vehicle accessories and carbon fibre products. TRS is a pioneer in motorsport safety with a distinguished history and a solid distribution network.

The acquired companies have an annual turnover of £3m and 17 employees at the head office in Basingstoke and manufacturing site in Huddersfield. They will be managed by Certex but also establish the first UK base for Certex’s sister-company, cargo securing products and services supplier, Forankra.

“This is an exciting time for the business,” says Kevin Smith, Managing Director at Certex. “We have a strong and active acquisition programme and were delighted with the opportunity to help take Pritchard Tyrite and TRS forward. These businesses are already successful and bringing them aboard gives us the opportunity to look at new markets closely aligned to our existing business and develop our expertise in related sectors. It immediately opens up for an even more attractive offering, providing existing customers access to an extended range of products and services from Pritchard Tyrite, TRS, ourselves and from our sister-company Forankra,” adds Kevin Smith.

Managing director of Forankra, Erik Eklöv, reinforces the significance of the deal. “We are extremely pleased to be entering the UK market after building our presence in several other European countries over the past thirty years. The addition of Pritchard Tyrite to our European businesses will see us strengthening our cargo securing product offering, while bringing fresh opportunities to new and existing customers. TRS is well positioned for continued growth within their niche and also brings with them an important network of resellers. The teams at Pritchard Tyrite and TRS will benefit from the added support and investment that belonging to our Group will bring.”

Both Certex and Forankra are part of Axel Johnson International’s business group AxLoad. The parent company, Axel Johnson, is a $13bn turnover family business employing more than 22,000 people worldwide.

Certex has an extensive presence in Scandinavia, The Netherlands, the Baltics, Russia, Germany, as well as the UK. In addition to specialist lifting products, inspections and maintenance, its team is highly skilled in providing bespoke, high specification lifting services for the processing of steel wire rope assemblies to customers in the manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, offshore, oil, gas and shipping industries.

With its own manufacturing, operations in seven countries and an extensive reseller network, Forankra is today a leading European supplier of products, services and solutions for the lashing and securing of cargo within manufacturing, logistics, transports and for OEM-builders of trucks, ships, aircrafts and helicopters.

Concludes Kevin Smith: “Certex and Forankra are growing organically, but we also have a strong parent company behind us that encourages us to expand further. Together we place huge significance on sustainability and being an excellent corporate citizen. As is the case with both these deals, where there is an opportunity to take on and improve successful organisations in related industries, we will seize it and make the most of our commitment, experience and expertise.”