Irish firm Writech acquires Compco fire systems

by Featured NewsPeople

Writech, an Ireland-based fire protection company, has made its first acquisition since securing a multimillion-euro investment last year.

The company has snapped up Compco Fire Systems, a British provider of automatic fire suppression systems. While no details surrounding the deal value have been disclosed, industry sources estimate Writech paid just over £16.6m (€20m) to acquire the company, Irish Times reported.

Writech managing director Ted Wright told the news outlet the deal would add £33.2m (€40m) to revenues and cement its position as one of Europe’s largest fire protection companies.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Worcester, Compco employs over 200 people across six offices. Wright, whose parents Mary and Thomas Wright founded Writech in 1981, said the deal for Compco was just one of a number of acquisitions the company was looking at as it looked to scale. Ted Wright and his brother Alan Wright took over the business in 2008.

The company expansion comes after private equity firm Waterland took a majority stake in Writech last year and signed off on plans for it to accelerate its UK and European growth strategy and double capacity at its design and innovation centre in Mullingar.

Wright said expansion was focused on acquisitions outside of the State, with a deal for a company in the Nordics expected to close shortly. “With expansion we’re creating 40 jobs now in Mullingar, 30 of which are design engineering roles,” he told Irish Times.

Among the projects the company has worked on include the Department of Heath’s headquarters in Mieseian Plaza in Dublin.

RECOM to open new fire training academy

by Featured NewsPeople

RECOM Solutions is set to open a new training academy, as part of a significant investment from the Trafford Park fire protection services firm.

The move is in response to huge growth in demand for its fire protection services, which has seen the firm increase its specialist operatives from five to 30 in the past 18 months, the BusinessDesk.com reproted.

This is in addition to its team of surveyors, contract supervisors and project managers in its fire protection arm. The academy will offer a live environment for training staff in the latest fire protection measures, legislation and products which are new to the market, such as new laws concerning cladding on structures of multiple occupancy, including high rise apartment blocks.

RECOM, a UK-based firm, works with a range of clients, ranging from the residential, to care home, healthcare, commercial, leisure, education, heritage buildings and industrial sectors.

The business is an approved contractor under the UK’s Fire Accreditation Scheme (FIRAS), and director, Jason McKnight, said the academy is due to be launched in the spring ahead of the implementation of the Fire Safety Act in England, which seeks to improve fire safety in multi-occupancy buildings.

McKnight said: “We have positioned ourselves ahead of the field by being able to provide a holistic approach to projects, linked to the new legislation.

“We act in both client side and contractor roles, utilising innovative cloud-based software to ensure clients have up to date relevant information on fire safety. This is the ‘golden thread’ of information that will become a legal requirement for building owners, developers and the like.”

He added: “The new academy will further demonstrate our commitment to retaining our leading market position in the provision of fire safety services.”

RECOM acts as a construction project manager and main contractor in addition to its role as a fire protection and cladding replacement specialist.

“The need for robust fire protection measures in buildings has been brought into sharp focus in recent years, and we are proud to be playing our part in helping to improve building safety and create smart, safe and sustainable places where people thrive, across the North West and beyond,” McKnight added.

The academy will enable RECOM to train and develop new employees and to educate its clients on the importance of fire protection measures within buildings. “We fully expect that the Fire Safety Act will lead to further expansion of our fire protection operations.”

London fire: Major blaze hits 22-storey tower block

by ActiveFeatured NewsSafety

A large fire broke out on Monday afternoon, in East London on the 17th floor of a block of flats. London’s fire service said it sent 15 engines and 125 firefighters to the high-rise at Whitechapel High Street.

Eye-witnesses described large panels of glass falling hundreds of metres to the ground and smoke bellowing out of the windows. Three commercial units underneath the railway arches were completely alight, and four cars and a telephone box were also on fire.

At one point, flames began to spread to a balcony on the 18th floor before fire crews put them out. Fire could later be seen through a window on the 19th floor.

A resident in the 10th floor of the building, who was visiting her friend from Nottingham, said no alarms went off. The fire severely disturbed several victims who were in the building. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in “close contact” with London Fire Brigade’s commissioner Andy Roe, Sky News reported.

According to property developer Hondo Enterprises, which sold the building in 2018, it is a 22-storey mixed use development consisting of more than 7,000 square feet of retail area, 97,000 square feet of commercial office space and 207 residential apartments.

It is located over Aldgate East Tube station between the City, the financial heart of London, and neighbourhoods Aldgate and Spitalfields.

Profab Access’ Prima panel meets latest building regualtions

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Profab Access, a UK-based provider of access solutions and riser doors for ceilings, walls and partitions, is supporting architects, specifiers and contractors in achieving the highest standards of efficiency with its Prima 1000 Fire Rated SeriesAccess Panels.

Providing secure and unobtrusive access to ceiling and wall services for both residential and commercial projects, the fire rated panels are not only aesthetically pleasing and easy to install but ensure compliance with latest building regulations.

The access panels are independently bi-directionally tested and fire-rated up to 120 minutes to BS EN 1634-1:2000 for single and double door configurations up to 600mm x 1200mm. Sizes up to 750mm x 1500mm are also available and are fire-rated for up to 90 minutes.

The Prima 1000 FR Series Access Panels are available in standard and customisable specifications. The panels are also smoked sealed with an intumescent and smoke seal gasket.

The lightweight metal doors can be easily into jointless plaster, plasterboard and partitions to provide concealed access to electrical and mechanical services and are etch primed to support onsite decoration.

Marcus Parnham, commercial director at Profab Access, said: “As one of the industry’s leading manufacturers and the first to bi-directionally test its access panels and riser doors, we are committed to ensuring we provide construction professionals with the highest standards of compliance and performance. Our Prima 1000 FR Series Access Panels have been expertly designed to provide unrivaled certification, without compromising on visual appeal or functionality to meet the most demanding site requirements.”

MAF Associates makes three key appointments

by Featured NewsPeople

Fire risk assessment and consultancy specialist MAF Associates has unveiled three key appointments, strengthening its office and technical teams. The firm claims its gearing up for demand for its services expected to grow as enforcement of the Fire Safety Act 2021 begins, PAS9980 is unveiled, and the Building Safety Bill passes into law.

The frontline team has been boosted with the hiring of Mark Wells as facade project manager and Ben Mason as fire risk assessment manager, while Trudy Pickard joins the team at MAF Associates’ Leicestershire head office as client services coordinator.

Mike Fox, founder, and managing director of MAF Associates said: “…2021 was a relatively quiet year as we waited for legislation to be passed and guidance to be published, we can expect 2022 to be a busy one, which is why we wanted to ensure we had the right people in place to meet demand. With new legislation coming into force and rapidly evolving government policy on the issue of defective cladding, our surveying and fire risk assessment teams are going to be very busy, so it was vital to find people with the appropriate skills and experience.

Trudy Pickard.

“One thing that has become clear since Grenfell is that the UK does not have enough professionals to meet demand for all of the inspections and surveys that are required, especially when it comes to external inspections and cladding in particular. We take pride in being one of the few companies that can offer a full range of internal and external fire risk assessments, and the latest additions will further enhance that capability.”

Wells, an industry veteran, has joined the company after spending a decade in the Middle East. He said: “After working in the Middle East for a decade, and subsequently on projects as diverse as the Abu Dhabi F1 Circuit and the Walkie Talkie in the City of London, I have found my skills to be in unprecedented demand over the last five years. I am pleased to be joining the MAF Associates team, where there is a clear mission to support bringing all UK buildings up to the proper fire safety standards, while also offering the training and support to bring more people into the industry.”

Fox launched MAF Associates in 2010, initially focusing on the provision of expert witness services for insurers and construction companies. Before founding MAF Associates, he had worked for three decades in the construction sector, including posts with roofing, cladding and building products companies.

Ben Mason.

Alabama Fire College programme will benefit firefighters globally

by Breaking NewsIndustry SectorsPeople

Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, USA has developed a way to help firefighters focus on their main mission while easing the paperwork burden. Firefighters like fighting fires and caring for sick and injured people, but they are not overly fond of paperwork, the US-based college justified.

Tracy McNair, the college’s database administrator, led a team to come up with a data management system that is changing the way fire departments manage and track their training, certifications and record keeping.

The system turned what has been a frustrating paper-based system into a sophisticated online records management system that will benefit every paid fire department in Alabama and many around the world, Tuscaloosa News reported.

McNair’s system is set to benefit people who must deal with the administrative side of the fire service.

The first phase of the programme involves the development of a new website. The second phase, which came online in November 2021, was the rollout of a new department dashboard, which allows officers and administrators to manage most of the training and certifications, class registrations and record keeping. This means that all that information can now be accessed and controlled by each individual fire department.

The third phase of the rollout is the development and will allow individual firefighters to create a profile and manage their own records and personal information.

The Alabama Fire College is accredited through Pro Board, the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications and through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

From UFC fighter to US firefighter, who is Stipe Miocic?

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsPeople

Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has been sworn in as a full-time firefighter. Miocic has devoted the last 12 years to an American fire station where he works as a firefighter.

The 39-year-old has been made fulltime firefighter after being put through several rounds of tests and checks. He now serves at the Westlake Fire Department in Ohio.

City mayor Dennis M. Clough described the occasion as a “a historic day for the city of Westlake.”

He previously worked part-time for Valley View Fire Department where he cleaned the toilets the morning after his fights.

Miocic last fought in March 2021, where he squared off against Francis Ngannou, which ended in a victory for the later. The loss also meant Miocic lost his heavyweight honours.

Telgian Fire Safety appoints Ryan Smith as Senior Vice President of Sales

by People

Telgian Fire Safety recently announced the promotion of Ryan Smith to Senior Vice President of Sales. In this position, Smith will align the sales organisation’s objectives with business strategy through strategic planning, sales strategy development, forecasting, resource planning and budgeting. Smith will also develop sales strategies with operations and account executives to ensure successful onboarding of new accounts, implement marketing programs to increase brand awareness, and improve the customer’s experience.

Smith’s career spans more than 25 years as an effective corporate executive. His extensive knowledge of management, business development and operations includes forecasting, market intelligence, data analysis, operations and team management.

In his 17-year career at Telgian, he has been a vital contributor to the company’s strategic planning and corporate initiatives. This includes developing fire protection and life safety solutions for a wide range of business sectors such as commercial real estate, retail and grocery, warehousing and distribution, government, healthcare facilities, and education, among others.

Smith’s professional accreditations include a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) designation from National Fire Protection Association, a Facility Management Professional (FMP) designation from International Facility Management Association and a Certified Product Owner (CPO) certification from the Scrum Alliance, as well as licenses for Property and Casualty Insurance and Life and Health Insurance License, both from the State of California.

In addition, he plays an integral role in international codes and standards training programs and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), as well as the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

Smith conducted his Fire Sprinkler Inspector Training at Oklahoma State University. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as an MBA from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

www.telgian.com/

Chevron Phillips Chemical names Justine Smith senior vice president, petrochemicals

by People

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (CPChem) announced that Justine Smith has joined the company as senior vice president, petrochemicals. Smith replaces Ron Corn, who will retire after more than 40 years with CPChem and Chevron Corporation.

“Ron’s leadership has helped put CPChem on a path for sustainable growth in our business and in how we view diversity and inclusion, people development and safety,” said Mark Lashier, president and CEO. “He was instrumental in the inception, development, construction and safe startup of our U.S. Gulf Coast Petrochemicals Project assets in Baytown and Old Ocean, Texas. His efforts to enhance safety performance through respect and collaboration at all levels of the workforce and advance the company’s focus on developing a diverse talent pipeline leave a lasting impact on our future.”

Smith joins the company from BASF Corporation where she was vice president of intermediates, amines and specialties. During her tenure with BASF, she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility including vice president of global oilfield solutions; vice president of regional business management plastics additives in Asia Pacific; and head of strategic marketing and projects in Asia Pacific. Smith began her career with Air Products, where she served in various engineering and commercial operations roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University.

“Justine brings to CPChem her deep industry knowledge, demonstrated strategic business acumen and extensive leadership experience in the U.S. and abroad,” said Lashier. “She has a proven track record of driving business results and fostering people development and organizational growth, both of which will help CPChem as we grow and work to achieve our vision to be the employer, supplier, neighbour and investment of choice in our industry.”

https://www.cpchem.com/

GFE appoints new Regional Director for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

by People

Global Fire Equipment (GFE) appoints Vikrant Patil as Regional Director for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, to help drive further growth in this key market.

The fire detection equipment manufacturer has set its sights on further growth in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with the appointment of Vikrant Patil as Regional Director to help deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans for this key market.

In this newly created role, Vikrant will be responsible for strengthening GFE’s brand awareness. Operating out of Mumbai, Vikrant will travel the length and breadth of the region to establish new long-term commercial partnerships and sales opportunities with installers, distributors and end users.

Vikrant brings more than 25 years’ experience of both process automation and fire detection solutions to the role, having worked for some of the world’s leading pioneers in automation – including Emerson (USA), Mettler Toledo (Switzerland) and Krohne Marshall – and in fire detection, having spent the past seven years as Regional Sales Manager for India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives for a leading manufacture in fire safety.

Vikrant’s previous experience includes product management, customer support, OEM sales, project sales, business development and channel development. With extensive experience of channel and distribution management, Vikrant is ideally placed to strengthen GFE’s presence in India and across the region to drive sustainable growth for the brand.

Paul Pope, Global Fire Equipment’s Business Development Director Worldwide, comments: “India is a key target market in GFE’s growth strategy. We anticipate considerable interest in our products and solutions, which are ideal for this market.”Joao Paulo Ajami, Managing

Director of Global Fire says: “We’re delighted to have Vikrant on board to help capitalise on the growth opportunities this dynamic region presents. Vikrant’s in-depth understanding of the local fire detection industry, coupled with his vast automation and fire detection technical expertise, make him an ideal addition to GFE’s global sales team. Having Vikrant present on the ground in India is bound to have a positive impact on developing new customers and providing ongoing support.”

Commenting on his role, Vikrant adds: “I’m delighted to join the GFE team at this exciting time. I believe the company has the best-in-class products, solutions and customer support to ensure its ambitious growth plans can be achieved.”

With a manufacturing base in Europe, GFE is part of the GSS Group which also includes the emergency lighting company Createch. In his new role Vikrant will also be responsible for sales of Createch’s emergency lighting equipment, which is also manufactured in Europe.

www.globalfireequipment.co.uk/