Siderise attains ISO 50001 for UK manufacturing sites

by Featured NewsPassiveSustainability

Siderise secures ISO 50001 energy management certification

Siderise has achieved ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System certification across its manufacturing operations in the UK.

The company announced that the standard covers both Siderise Insulation Limited (SIL) and Siderise Special Products Limited (SSPL).

This marks the first time these two entities have jointly attained an ISO certification through a unified approach.

NQA performed the certification to confirm the business has implemented a framework aligned with international best practice.

Teams in Hadleigh and Maesteg collaborated to establish the single integrated system for energy management.

The system allows the organisation to identify and manage Significant Energy Users (SEUs) while monitoring consumption trends.

Auditors noted strong leadership engagement and a high level of energy awareness during the assessment process.

Operational benefits of the Siderise energy framework

The certification supports customers in meeting procurement requirements across the built environment, industrial and transport sectors.

Improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes contributes to reducing the embodied carbon of products.

Siderise stated that the framework provides third-party verified evidence of energy performance for tenders and frameworks.

The system complements existing product-level certifications such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and BES 6001.

Simon Mullett, Energy Management Lead at Siderise Group, said: “Achieving ISO 50001 certification is a step forward for Siderise and a milestone I am extremely proud of.

“This is the first time SSPL and SIL have achieved a certification jointly, demonstrating a truly integrated, Group-wide approach to energy management.

“ISO 50001 provides us with the structure, discipline and data we need to continually improve our energy performance, reduce our carbon footprint, and ensure that sustainability is embedded into the way we operate.

“It is a key enabler of our ESG strategy and supports the long-term resilience of our business.”

Support for greenhouse gas emission targets

The framework helps reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating waste in energy-intensive processes.

Enhanced monitoring of production equipment and utilities provides data to guide maintenance and capital investment decisions.

The certification reinforces compliance with existing schemes including the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR).

The Group intends to use this foundation to drive further reductions in energy intensity across its manufacturing sites.

Future efforts involve expanding data capabilities to embed energy performance into design and procurement decisions.

Gore welcomes Jonas Andersson to its UK fire team

by Breaking NewsPeople

UK fire team expansion for Gore

Gore has revealed that Jonas Andersson will be taking responsibility for its UK sales in the fire market, replacing Oli Wilson who is moving on after six years with the company.

Jonas is based in Yorkshire and has been with Gore in the UK for 22 years.

Jonas Andersson’s statement

In that time, he has worked with manufacturing partners and end users across the UK and Europe in the defence and industrial workwear sectors.

Supporting the development and provision of high-performance protective garments designed to protect in high hazard working environments. 

According to the announcement, he will bring a ‘head to toe’ approach to firefighter protection in the UK with a portfolio of GORE-TEX Products designed to deliver high performance protection in structural and rescue gear, as well as footwear and gloves.

GORE-TEX Moisture Barriers protect many of the UK’s firefighters and Jonas will continue to work with fire and rescue services and garment manufacturers to provide the highest standard service across the sector.

Jonas Andersson’s statement

Commenting on his new role, Jonas said: “I’m excited to take on this new role and looking forward to continuing our strong relationships with fire and rescue services across the country.

“Our focus is on understanding firefighters needs and designing the best possible protection that allows them to do their job with full confidence in their gear.”

Siderise named in Building’s Good Employer Guide for second year running

by ConstructionFeatured NewsPassive

Siderise recognised for second year

Siderise has been named in Building’s Good Employer Guide 2026 for the second consecutive year and remains the only product manufacturer included on the list.

The guide recognises organisations for their commitment to people, culture and workplace experience.

Siderise linked the recognition to its work on employee wellbeing, safety and inclusion.

It also cited professional development routes, internal progression and flexible working policies.

The statement said its workplace culture is shaped by collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Siderise highlights workplace policies

Siderise said the recognition reflects the contribution of teams across the UK and internationally.

Mark Hendy, Cheif HR Officer, said: “I’m really pleased to see Siderise listed within the Building Good Employer Guide for a second consecutive year, particularly as we are once again the only construction products manufacturer included.

“Our culture is the result of the daily actions and behaviours of each and every colleague, and I’m really proud that we’ve once again seen this recognised through our inclusion on this prestigious list, alongside many reputable peers.”

The company said it will continue its workplace focus through 2026.

Fire-Dex VP appointment links operations and CEO succession plan

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsPeoplePPE

Fire-Dex appoints Maged Baskhron to operations leadership

Fire-Dex has appointed Maged Baskhron as Vice President of Operations.

Baskhron will align operational and strategic goals, strengthen cross-functional processes and support teams across the organisation.

His remit includes prioritising associate well-being, product quality and day-to-day execution to support the company’s focus on protecting manufacturing teams and frontline crews.

“Fire-Dex is mission-driven in a way you can feel on the factory floor and in the field,” Baskhron said.

“I’m eager to help our teams do their best work – build it right, deliver it right, and keep safety as the starting point.”

Role scope and leadership transition details

Fire-Dex outlined that Baskhron will support long-term execution while maintaining its people-first culture and operational values.

His background includes global manufacturing experience and previous roles as Project Manager and Industrial Engineer and Training Manager, working closely across the business under current Vice President of Operations John Karban.

The appointment forms part of a wider executive transition previously announced by the company.

Lauren Burke DeVere is due to assume the role of CEO in early 2026, partnering with current CEO Steve Allison ahead of his planned retirement in early 2027.

Karban will move into the role of President.

“To me, leadership is simple: show up for your people and be clear about what matters,” Baskhron said.

“When teams know the goal, have the support they need, and are relied on to make decisions, great work follows.

“That’s how we keep delivering for the departments and firefighters who need us to get it right.”

Britannia Fire adds Finance Manager as production demand rises

by Featured NewsPeople

Britannia Fire finance manager appointment

Britannia Fire has appointed Amy Bayliss as Finance Manager as the business continues to expand following another bumper year of production of its P50 composite fire extinguishers.

Bayliss is an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) qualified accountant.

She joins from Norse Group where she held the role of Finance Business Partner.

Her new role marks a return to the manufacturing sector following a previous Management Accountant position at printing company Clays.

Role responsibilities and business priorities

In the role, Bayliss will manage financial planning and reporting across the organisation.

Britannia Fire said the appointment forms part of its investment in people and infrastructure to support growth as it responds to increasing demand for its fire extinguishers.

Bayliss said: “It’s exciting to be joining Britannia Fire at such a pivotal time for the business.

“The company’s commitment to innovation and quality is clear, and I’m looking forward to supporting its continued growth and success.”

Finance team changes and ESG focus

The company said Bayliss’s appointment will enable Financial Officer Karla Guadarrama to focus more closely on sustainability initiatives including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) projects.

Joint Managing Director Andy Spence said: “Amy is a great addition to our team, bringing a strong blend of technical accounting expertise and commercial insight.

“As we continue to grow, her experience and approach will be invaluable in supporting the next phase of Britannia Fire’s development.

“Her appointment also allows us to further advance our ESG ambitions, which are integral to the way we operate as a business.”

How JELD-WEN’s new contractor management process raises the bar for site safety

by CommunicationsFeatured NewsFire DoorsHealth and SafetySafety

JELD-WEN introduces contractor management room to improve site safety

JELD-WEN has opened a new contractor management room at its Sheffield site as part of wider improvements to its safety processes.

The manufacturer said the new facility was introduced to strengthen oversight of contractor activities and ensure on-site safety applies equally to external contractors and internal staff.

The new area includes an on-site mapping system that provides real-time visibility of where contractors are working across the facility.

JELD-WEN explained that while the company already had strong health and safety procedures, the new measures were developed to create clearer processes for contractors attending the site.

Oversight, induction and auditing improvements

The contractor management room provides a space for a ‘Responsible Person’ to carry out safety inductions, verify documentation and confirm contractor competency.

The company said the process ensures that risk assessments and method statements accurately reflect the work being undertaken.

The system also uses JELD-WEN’s existing auditing framework to verify compliance with safety procedures and conduct periodic checks throughout the working day.

Following a trial period, during which feedback from contractors and site teams was collected, the new contractor management room is now fully operational.

Reinforcing commitment to health and safety

Paul Bailey, Environment, Health and Safety Manager at JELD-WEN Sheffield, said: “Safety is a number one priority for JELD-WEN, and we have robust procedures in place across the site to safeguard employees, contractors and visitors. However, it was felt that we could enhance our procedures further to ensure optimal safety.

“Thanks to this new initiative and improved visual management, the contractor management room shows exactly how many contractors we have on site at any one time, and where each set of works is taking place.

“The introduction of the contractor management room reaffirms JELD-WEN’s commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone, at all times, on our sites.”

Implications for health and safety management in manufacturing

The development at JELD-WEN’s Sheffield site highlights how industrial facilities are refining contractor management to improve visibility and compliance.

For environment, health and safety managers, the use of a dedicated mapping and induction space offers a practical approach to maintaining oversight of external contractors during high-risk or concurrent operations.

Facility and site managers within manufacturing, processing and construction settings may also view JELD-WEN’s approach as an example of how to integrate contractor safety into wider site management systems.

By combining existing auditing frameworks with new real-time monitoring, the system ensures traceability and accountability in contractor activities across complex operational environments.

Siemens introduces electronic motor starter with fast-response short-circuit protection

by Featured NewsProductsSafety

Siemens unveils ultra-fast motor starter for improved fire safety in industrial applications

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has introduced the SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter, a fully electronic motor starter designed to improve industrial safety by delivering ultra-fast short-circuit protection.

As reported by Siemens, the device utilises advanced semiconductor technology, offering response times 1,000 times faster than conventional motor starters, making it particularly relevant to fire safety in demanding industrial applications such as food and beverage processing, intralogistics, and mechanical engineering.

This starter offers critical motor protection while integrating seamlessly into Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) platform.

The SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter employs silicon carbide metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (SiC MOSFETS), allowing it to handle short circuits with minimal wear.

The device shuts down within less than 4 microseconds in response to a short circuit, reducing the risk of overheating and potential fire hazards in industrial environments.

This rapid response minimises the need for component replacement, reducing maintenance demands and potential costs.

Enhanced protection for high-efficiency motors

Industries that rely on high-efficiency motors, such as those in the IE3 and IE4 energy classes, benefit from the e-Starter’s short-circuit protection capabilities, which counter the risk of short circuits and overheating—a frequent concern in fire safety.

These motors often produce high inrush currents at startup, which can cause traditional protection devices to trip unintentionally.

Siemens addresses this issue with the e-Starter’s phase-optimised switching and Smart Start feature, which neutralises these inrush currents.

This feature not only reduces the electrical load on the system but also protects the starter from damage, further minimising the fire hazards associated with high-current spikes.

Diagnostic and automation integration features

The SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter is compatible with Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) platform, allowing manufacturers and integrators to benefit from integrated diagnostic capabilities.

This functionality provides real-time system diagnostics, helping engineers to detect and address potential issues before they escalate into safety risks.

Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, said: “Our fully electronic e-Starter is a real innovation that offers many benefits over traditional electromechanical or hybrid motor starters.

“We developed it in close consultation with potential users. That is why it responds to their challenges exactly as needed.

“It makes demanding motors and applications more available, durable, and user-friendly than ever before.”

Sustainable and energy-efficient design

In line with Siemens’ commitment to sustainability, the e-Starter is designed for energy efficiency and reduced material usage, earning it the Siemens EcoTech label.

The starter’s wear-free switching extends its operational life, while its use of recycled materials and low energy consumption contribute to a more sustainable footprint.

These qualities offer environmental benefits while ensuring long-lasting protection against electrical hazards, further enhancing fire safety for high-demand industrial applications.

The SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter will be presented at the Smart Production Solutions (SPS) trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, from November 12 to 14, 2024.

Siemens aims to showcase the benefits of its integrated and sustainable design for industrial users worldwide.

Siemens introduces electronic motor starter with fast-response short-circuit protection: Summary

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched the SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter, a fully electronic motor starter with semiconductor technology for ultra-fast short-circuit protection.

The device is designed to address safety challenges in industrial applications by switching off in less than 4 microseconds, mitigating fire risks associated with electrical overloads.

Integrating seamlessly with Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) platform, it enables real-time diagnostics to further enhance safety.

Its energy-efficient design and low material usage have earned it Siemens’ EcoTech label.

The product will debut at the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, on November 12-14, 2024.