HAVING been at the operational forefront of the Checkmate Group for the entire thirty years of the company’s existence, Paul has long understood that succession planning would be crucial to Checkmate’s on-going development.
Those who know Paul will tell you that he never makes a knee jerk decision. Ever since his son Oliver joined the company back in the summer of 2000 he has been acutely aware that the business critical question of ascendancy must be carefully dealt with.
Paul explains, "Oliver has taken on, and developed Checkmate’s Safety Division over the last 10 years and has shown, through his sheer hard work and attention to detail, that he can manage people, retain staff and customers; and build the company profitability at the same time."
Paul is absolutely sure that the careful mentorship of Oliver, Checkmate’s next Managing Director, is to the benefi t of customers and staff alike.
“We have been closely monitoring the performance of the management team and are delighted with the results that Oliver has generated over the past few years,’ says Paul.
“We have a strong and very knowledgeable board here at Checkmate that has experienced both the good times and the bad.” The board comprises of Paul, as Group Chairman, and a trio of very experienced Non-Executive Directors; Des Crampton, Sir Roger Moate and Richard Price.
All of the board members have a vast business acumen coupled with a long-standing emotional attachment to the Checkmate Group.
"Oliver will certainly be challenged by the board,” Paul said. “and I know Oliver will be under no illusion that the spotlight will be fi rmly on him and the decisions he makes. “Checkmate has great opportunities to grow still further and I’m confi dent, under Oliver’s leadership, Checkmate has a very bright future indeed."
So is Paul retiring? Far from it! Paul is still very busy with the latest incarnation of the Checkmate brand - Anaconda (see page 6).
The Economist New York predicted Anaconda could be the “defi ning energy product of its generation”. A view endorsed by Paul who has spent the last two years with the SeaEnergy team honing the product and ensuring its long term viability.
Paul will also be spending time developing sales for our marine export customers via our JV PWS, his expertise will ensure
clients get the same quality and service they expect from Checkmate.
Paul summed it all up, “Without question the future looks exceptionally exciting; and with a new Managing Director, new
products, new markets to develop and a burgeoning reputation for innovation to cement, I’m sure I’ll be kept busy for a few more years yet!”
Read full newsletter here
Newsletter October 2009
This is the first in a series of occasional newsletters designed to keep interested parties up to date with progress in the development of the Anaconda wave energy converter.
Checkmate Seaenergy Ltd holds the exclusive licence to commercialise the patented Anaconda wave energy converter. The company was established during 2007 and currently has a number of engineers working full-time on the development programme . This small team is based at the site of sister company Checkmate Flexible Engineering in Melksham, Wiltshire. The Anaconda website is to be found at www.checkmateuk.com/seaenergy and among other things lists some of the people involved in the project.
So far the development programme has concentrated on proof-of-concept testing of 1:25 scale models of Anaconda in the wave tank facilities at QinetiQ’s Haslar Marine Technology Park at Gosport in Hampshire. Three two-week sets of tests have shown conclusively that the Anaconda technology can harness wave energy.
To date, two different 1:25 scale power take-off devices have been built and tested. In the first type, the bulges from the rubber tube created two columns of water of different heights. When water flowed from one column to the other, the hydraulic power could be measured. This large device was fixed to the overhead carriage of the wave tank and although it measured the hydraulic power very accurately, it did not represent the free floating device that would ultimately be required. A new design of a free floating power take off was then developed in March 2009.[. In this second type of power take-off device, the power is measured by establishing a flow between two rubber accumulators. This allows the power take-off to float freely together with the rubber bulge tube as it would in normal operating conditions.
In parallel with the tank testing at Haslar, the Anaconda team, with support from the Carbon Trust, has been researching and developing the rubber-based technology at the heart of this novel device and significant progress has been made. The team has established a small experimental water tank at Melksham allowing various scaled-down prototype Anaconda components to be evaluated and tested.
The cost of Checkmate Seaenergy’s development work continues to be borne ultimately, by its founding shareholder The company intends to launch a fund raising round with financial institutions and independent investors in early 2010. This will allow a full engineering development programme to begin leading to the commercialisation of the device.
In early 2008 Checkmate Seaenergy was pleased to see Anaconda selected from among several competing wave energy devices to receive financial support from the Carbon Trust’s Marine Energy Accelerator programme. This support has mainly taken the form of consultancy services and has run alongside the technical programme described above. It has also allowed the project to benefit from Carbon Trust’s Incubator scheme which helps start-up companies develop to a state of investment readiness. In our case this has led to the preparation of a detailed and fully costed technology development programme together with a full business plan.
We are particularly pleased with the support from the Carbon Trust. They are a powerful voice in the renewable energy sector, and with the benefit of their support and experience we have been able to push the project forward. You can find out more about their activities at www.carbontrust.co.uk .
Checkmate Seaenergy has chosen to invite a fully independent review of its technology in preparation for the approach to prospective investors. The team feel such a report will give interested investors a realistic and independent assessment of Anaconda’s commercial prospects and will therefore aid the fundraising process. Carbon Trust is supporting this approach and has assisted in the appointment of the leading firm of international consulting engineers Black & Veatch to conduct the study.
Black & Veatch have recently completed a review of Checkmate Seaenergy’s test reports and have suggested that one further short round of tests be conducted. These tests will no longer be concerned with proof of concept as this is now considered “proven” but will focus on the power performance of Anaconda leading to a more accurate prediction of the power output of the full scale device. The testing is scheduled for one week during mid October and will enable Black and Veatch to provide a detailed estimate of Anaconda’s cost of energy which will form the basis of our business plan and investment case.
This communication is issued in the UK by Checkmate Seaenergy Ltd (“the Company”). This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares in Company. No such offer or solicitation will be made except pursuant to a prospectus or information memorandum or other offering document if and when issued by the Company.
Checkmate is very pleased to announce the appointment of Lionel Lissart to the position of Export Sales
Director of their height safety division. In this newly created role, Lionel will work closely with both
Mark Hesslegrave and Oliver Auston to continue the growth of their global sales which have been recognised
in the past by the receiving of the Queens Award for overseas trade.
Lionel is a French National and was born in the Bordeaux region; he has 15 years experience of working
at height including rope access, confined space, fall arrest and rescue. He also has a wealth of experience
in the field of installed safety systems and in particular permanent lifelines for roofs and other structures.
Lionel’s specialist areas are Europe, Asia and Scandinavia, initially focusing on the francophone market
La direction de Checkmate UK sont heureux de vous annoncez la venue de Lionel LISSART comme Export Directeur.
Il travaillera en partenariat avec Mark Hesslegrave Directeur des ventes et Oliver Auston Directeur général pour développer les ventes à l’export dont le prix Queens Award for Overseas Trade démontre leurs efficacités.
Lionel est français, née à Bordeaux pendant prés de 15 ans il a développé une expérience dans les domaines des travaux en hauteur, antichute le sauvetage, ligne de vie, harnais etc.….
Il a aussi une grande expérience des marchés asiatique, scandinave est Européens. Lionel objectif sera les marchés francophones.
Phone/Telephone France: +33 6 30 97 42 66
Phone/Telephone Angleterre: +44 78 79 63 63 50
Phone/Telephone office/bureau: +44 1795 58 03 33
Telecopy/Fax: +44 1795 66 82 80
E-mail: ll@checkmateuk.com
Following on the heels of their new Xcalibre 18 fall arrest block, Checkmate Safety’s latest
advancement in height safety equipment is the ecoAnchor, a mobile man anchor manufactured
from rubber for roofs and other structures.
The device is a totally unique concept using renewable resources for both manufacture
and
installation. Designed and built in the UK by Checkmate Safety, a specialist designer and
manufacturer of height safety equipment.
The patented ecoAnchor is suitable for use on many different roof types and up to 15 degrees
pitch, keeps roof loadings to a minimum and is fully tested and certified to EN795 class E.
The ecoAnchor when empty weighs just 8kgs and fits into a small bag for easy transportation to
the top of a building, all that is required is a water supply for a simple rapid installation making
it particularly suitable for infrequent maintenance operations .
It is already being received to wide acclaim with huge interest across the globe already and
i
s another innovation keeping Checkmate Safety at the forefront of height safety.
Dusty Hawkins, Director of Sales and Marketing at Checkmates’ partner in the US, FallTech said
¨During the recent American Society of Safety Engineers exhibition in San Antonio, Texas 80% of al
l the leads generated at the show involved interest in the ecoAnchor and they recently had the
opportunity to demonstrate the ecoAnchor on the US Capitol building¨.
Checkmate Safety’s latest innovation in height safety equipment, the Xcalibre 18 fall arrest block, is now available.
The result of two years of exhaustive research, testing and refinement, Xcalibre 18 boasts patented safety features t
o
set it apart from the competition. It is super lightweight but with extreme durability and has the same sleek
contemporary design as the Xcalibre 3W. A steel chassis and independent brake pawls to give additional peace of
mind and the brake unit itself is sealed to prevent water ingress thus making Xcalibre 18 especially suitable for
offshore
markets.
In addition, a unique brush clean system minimises any water or debris from getting into the device, improving
durability
and performance and the housing has side slots for either carry handle or shoulder strap. The lifeline is
available in wire rope, dyneema fibre rope or webbing from the same modular unit.
Checkmate Safety’s Managing Partner Oliver Auston said “Xcalibre 18 is the latest in a line of innovative Checkmate
products which continue to lead the market and set the highest standards for fall arrest and height safety.”
Checkmate Group has received a second Queen’s Award which was presented by
His Royal Highness The Duke of York on Tuesday 21st April 2009 The Queen’s Award
for Enterprise: Innovation 2008 for pneumatic dunnage to restrain marine cargoes.
Wiltshire and Kent based manufacturer The Checkmate Group have been honoured with
a second prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation, four years after receiving their first
award, for export achievement. This second award has been given for the development
of a new type of rubber air bag, which is used to secure cargo in the holds of ocean
going ships. The product was designed in house and is made by their specialist
engineering division, Checkmate Flexible Engineering LLP in Melksham, Wilts.
Engineering and operating-use challenges had to be overcome and the result is a
cargo securing system which has a unique filling method and can be linked to a
manifold toensure constant pressure regardless of climatic changes as cargo transits
in ships across the world. The air bags are used to prevent movement in large
block cargoes. The ships are large break bulk open hatch vessels (50,000 tonnes) and their cargoes are usually timber, wood pulp, hard board, and various types of steel and aluminium.
The Checkmate Group were delighted to welcome HRH The Duke of York to their factory in Melksham where he was given a guided tour of the factory and presented the Queen’s Award to Richard Berry, the longest serving member of staff at Checkmate UK with 45 years of service. Tom Roach, Director of Checkmate Flexible Engineering LLP said: ‘This tremendous news is of great credit to the skill of our staff and their dedication to quality. We have a company culture which thrives on finding innovative solutions to problems. As a consequence our order book is in a good state and the whole team is proud to be part of British manufacturing.’
HRH The Duke of York spent a considerable amount of time meeting the staff on the factory floor and seeing the different products manufactured on the site. He talked to the employees about the different processes, standing on the finished product to test its durability. He was particularly interested in the award winning air bags due to his naval experience.
HRH The Duke of York was given a preview today, 21st April, of the Anaconda Wave Energy Converter ahead of its official launch on May 5th in Portsmouth. He was deeply interested in the presentations made by the team led by Chief Executive Des Crampton about the technology behind this innovative new concept and asked a number of questions about the components. He was very keen to be kept informed about the development of Anaconda. Paul Auston, Chairman of Checkmate, said: ‘I think the visit went really well and it was a great event. Prince Andrew seemed to be really interested in what we are doing and in the potential of Anaconda to generate renewable energy from sea waves not just in the UK but around the World.’ The positive effect upon future job creation within Britain and the wider export opportunities were not lost on His Royal Highness.
HRH The Duke of York was welcomed by Tom Roach and made a speech emphasising the importance of awards such as these in recognising British manufacturers and, in particular, the work of the whole team. He said ‘Ladies and Gentlemen just to say congratulations. Giving out awards is a great pleasure for me. These awards are not just for the people at the top but to remind people that it is for the entire team of people who work here.’ He then presented the award Richard ‘Henry’ Berry. The guests attending the day were delighted to have the chance to meet HRH The Duke of York, one little girl in particular whose father works in the factory.
Also attending the presentation were some students from the engineering department at Wiltshire College who were invited to see, first hand, this industry leader and were inspired by their award winning achievements in manufacturing. They were able to see how Checkmate engineers adapted the unique properties of rubber into this award winning and globally successful cargo restraint system. After the day the students and staff sent ‘a particular thank you to Tom Roach who gave them an excellent tour of the factory with clear technical information that was suited to their young enquiring minds’. They said ‘The visit by the NDLBT3 to Checkmate Flexible Engineering was an excellent visit for the students. Mr Tom roach gave us an in depth presentation of the companies structure, included in his presentation he explained design concepts, products produced, the importance of design and innovation of new ideals, along with being at the forefront of new products. This was then followed by a tour of the factory during which Tom spent a lot of time explaining their products construction, testing and manufacturing processes. We were then taken around the Checkmate Seaenergy Project, The Anaconda Wave Energy Converter. The Anaconda has been developed at Melksham and it is an entirely novel concept to harvest wave energy. The students got an excellent insight into this new form of harnessing natural energy.’
The UK’s dependence on energy from non-renewable sources is being challenged by a
new wave energy converter called Anaconda that mimics the action of a sea snake. Now
in final proof of concept testing Anaconda is producing energy data at an estimated cost that
is excitingly low and as such may offer a serious and cost effective alternative in the delivery
of future clean energy supplies.
The Anacondas – up to 200 metres long and made almost entirely of rubber - could each
be capable of generating 1 MW of power; typical farms of 50 could create enough electricity
to fuel 50,000 homes.
Anaconda is developed by double Queen’s Award winners, Checkmate Group. Chairman Paul Auston said: “The UK is known for its engineering excellence and politicians from all parties have been keen to challenge companies to come up with renewable energy projects that can be sold around the world. With Anaconda we have an invention that changes conventional thinking and it can help to meet government targets for cutting CO2 by providing renewable wave energy from our coastal waters. It will also help cement the UK’s world leading position in this technology.”
“We’ve seen excellent results in scale model testing, and now we are now gearing up to attract the necessary investment to develop Anaconda and begin producing the first full sized units for ocean testing within the next three years.”
The first field of Anacondas could be in commercial production and start deployment off the UK coastline by 2014. Anchored to the seabed and floating just beneath the surface, each Anaconda is continually squeezed by passing ocean waves. These waves form bulges in the water-filled tube and travel down its length developing the power to drive a turbine in the tail. The electricity created would be captured and cabled ashore.
The original idea came from Professor Rod Rainey, a chief engineer with engineering design consultants Atkins. He said: “The beauty of wave energy is its consistency. However, the problem holding back wave energy machines is they tend to deteriorate over time in the harsh marine environment. Anaconda is non mechanical: it is mainly rubber, a natural material with a natural resilience and so it has very few moving parts to maintain.” He then developed the idea with co-inventor Professor Francis Farley, an experimental physicist and a fellow of the Royal Society which awarded him the Hughes Medal. Francis has worked on wave energy since 1976 and has filed 14 patents in this area.
Early stage research & development was supported by the Carbon Trust’s Marine Energy Accelerator (MEA) which helped identify and tackle key development challenges. They said Anaconda ‘has the potential to deliver breakthrough reductions in the cost of energy’ and that ‘it could represent the next generation of marine renewable energy’. Based on their MEA study they said the projected costs of Anaconda could represent a significant improvement over the best current renewable energy devices.
Anaconda is now in the final stage of exhaustive proof of concept testing at a 270 metre wave test tank run by QinetiQ in Gosport, Hampshire. The QinetiQ ship tank is the UK’s largest and was used to simulate the strength and frequency of ocean waves the device may encounter.
The targets set by the government are that the UK should source 20% of its entire electricity needs from all renewable sources by 2020. Anaconda has the potential to make a significant contribution to this target. With World wide patents, British designed and manufactured, Anaconda could be exported or licensed for use across the world.
Other potentially rich coasts include the USA and South American western seaboards, South Africa, Australia, parts of Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, and the western facing coasts of Europe. As well as being a significant export opportunity for British Industry it should create a sizable number of British jobs in the renewable sector. Smaller versions of Anaconda could also be co-located with off-shore wind farms – where they could piggy-back the energy collection grid.
The Anaconda team welcomes the recent backing by all the major political parties for renewable energy projects and especially the willingness to offer investment to connect offshore power projects with the energy grid.
Wiltshire and Kent based manufacturer The Checkmate Group has been honoured with a second prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation, four years after receiving their first award, for export achievement. This second award has been given for the development of a new type of rubber air bag, which is used to secure cargo in the holds of ocean going ships. The Checkmate Group are delighted to welcome HRH The Duke of York to their factory in Melksham where he will be given a guided tour of the factory and present the Queen’s Award to Richard Berry, the longest serving member of staff at Checkmate UK with 45 years of service.
Also attending the presentation will be students from the engineering department at Wiltshire College who have been invited to see first hand, this industry leader and be inspired by their award winning achievements in manufacturing. They will be able to see how Checkmate engineers adapted the unique properties of rubber into this award winning and globally successful cargo restraint system. They will also be among the first members of the public to be briefed on Anaconda device and meet the project team.
Tom Roach, Director of Checkmate Flexible Engineering LLP said: ‘This tremendous news is of great credit to the skill of our staff and their dedication to quality. We have a company culture which thrives on finding innovative solutions to problems. As a consequence our order book is in a good state and the whole team is proud to be part of British manufacturing.’
HRH The Duke of York will also be given a preview of Checkmate’s pioneering Anaconda Wave Energy Converter which is being developed as a new source of renewable energy. Anaconda has been developed at the Melksham site and HRH The Duke of York will see a scale demonstration of the bulge tube. Identified by the Carbon Trust as having the potential to deliver breakthrough reductions in the cost of energy and that it could represent the next generation of marine renewable energy. Based on a study from the Carbon Trust Marine Energy Accelerator the projected costs of Anaconda could represent a step change for the industry and a significant improvement over the best current renewable energy devices.
A scale model of the new Anaconda device will be demonstrated to invited guests at QinetiQ’s Haslar Marine Technology Park in Gosport on Tuesday 5th May.
Updates to follow...
Production supervisor Robin Butcher has received a well-earned thank you from Checkmate for 25 years
of service.
Robin (42) joined Checkmate, shortly after leaving school and a spell on a Government Scheme earning £25
per week. Through the Sheppey grapevine he heard about jobs rolling and stamping slings and
general labouring at Checkmate’s former facility in Bluetown. He went on to undertake a variety of roles
including working in the PVC department, driving the van and storeman before becoming production supervisor. In 2004 Checkmate received the Queens Award for International Trade and Robin was chosen to receive
the Crystal Bowl and Scroll from the Lord Lieutenant during his visit to the factory as the Queen’s representative.
After receiving well earned thanks from the company for his loyalty, Robin was asked what made him stay
so long. He said “Checkmate is a family company but I have always felt comfortable. I enjoy the work and
there have been many exciting changes over the last few years.”
Checkmate managing partner Oliver Auston presented Robin with a voucher. When asked what he would
spend it on Robin said “I thought I would spend it on fishing gear, but will probably end up taking my family
away for a break.”
As well as fishing, Robin enjoys playing badminton and is a QPR fan. Never mind.
Checkmate’s first joint venture outside the UK has opened its doors for business. A new multi million
dollar purpose built facility in Bac Giang province, North of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, has been built
to manufacture web slings.
The state of the art manufacturing plant is headed locally by Mr Do Van Hai Van, whose family has been
involved in the manufacture and conversion of synthetic materials for many years. The new company has
been named ProDragon Websling Co and will market product under the Checkmate ProDragon banner.
Currently the 3000 sq metres factory provides jobs for 30 employees but there are plans to increase
production towards the end of the year.
Paul Auston, Checkmate Chairman said “We are pleased to announce this expansion of the Checkmate Group. Our Vietnamese partners have worked with us for a number of years prior to this joint venture and we
are delighted with this significant expansion. The new facility will enable us to compete in a mature
market delivering a quality Checkmate product direct to users, very competitively.”
Avon Fabrications' Richard Berry met HM the Queen at a reception on 14th July for recipients of the the
Queen's Award's for Industry. Richard is leading hand at Avon and the longest serving member
of staff with
45 years of service. Accompanying him was Mark Prentice, Engineering Manager, who designed the
Queen's Award winning corner fill dunnage bag.
We are very pleased to advise that Des Crampton Bsc ( Eng) has been appointed a non-executive director of the company.
Des started his career in mechanical engineering in the steel making and mining industries before taking up the challenges of the UK ports sector, most recently as Managing Director of Medway Ports and a director of Peel Ports. His experience will benefit all parts of the business but in particular Checkmate Seaenergy.
Des lives in Kent wit his wife and two daughters.
Kent and Wiltshire based manufacturer The Checkmate Group has been honoured with a prestigious Queens Award for Innovation,
four years after receiving their first award, for export achievement.
The latest award is for the development of a new type of rubber air bag, which is used to secure cargo in the holds of ocean going ships. The product was designed in house and is made by the company's specialist engineering division, Avon Fabrications in Melksham (Wilts), engineering and operational use challenges had to be overcome and the result is a cargo securing system which has a unique filling system and can be linked to a manifold to ensure constant pressure regardless of climatic changes as cargo transits in ships across the World.
Tom Roach, Director of Avon Fabrications said:
"This tremendous news is of great credit to our staff and their
skill and dedication to quality. We are proud to be a part
of the Melksham business community and I'm pleased to say that the
success of these bags not only ensures the future of our business,
but has also leads to more employment opportunities for local
people. Our order book remains in an excellent state and the
whole team is proud to be part of British manufacturing".
Market leader in fall arrest height safety equipment, Checkmate Safety is expanding its sales management team in response to high product demand.
Phil Chipperfield has been appointed Sales Manager with responsibility for managing the internal sales team and providing technical support to customers.
Phil began his career on the shop floor at Ropequip Ltd (now Certex UK) and went on to work for Costain Civil Engineering, before becoming a sales representative for Certex UK Ltd. Most recently he was employed as Technical Sales Manager for Thameside Lifting Equipment.
His new role at Checkmate will see him manage the complete sales function from initial enquiry through to after-sales service, focusing on developing strong relationships with customers to understand their requirements and find solutions.
Oliver Auston, managing partner for Checkmate Safety said “We are pleased to welcome Phil to Checkmate Safety. His extensive industry experience and strong customer service background are precisely the skills Checkmate need at this time of growth in the company business.”
Phil is a keen runner and golfer and also enjoys overseas travel with his family.
A new invention, which to the untrained eye resembles
an underwater windsock, could be at the forefront of technology
to develop renewable energy and combat climate change.
The Anaconda Wave Energy Converter (WEC) uses a
unique concept to harvest energy from sea waves.
Built largely from rubber, Anaconda operates in
an entirely different way from other WEC’s. The inventors,
Professors Rod Rainey and Francis Farley, have developed the concept
of a distensible rubber tube, floating head to sea, in which bulge
waves are excited by passing sea waves. The bulges grow as they
travel along the tube, gathering wave energy. The bulge waves are
then used to drive a turbine generator.
Checkmate Seaenergy, part of the British Checkmate
Group, has acquired an exclusive license to develop Anaconda. It
is Checkmate Seaenergy’s intention to progress the machine
through the full-scale prototype stage to commercial production.
It is estimated that it will take three years before a full size
prototype is tested at sea. This full-scale version would be the
largest rubber structure ever made in the world and would need a
facility the size of a shipyard to construct. Production will create
hundreds of jobs in the UK.
Anaconda has a preliminary stamp of approval from The Carbon Trust,
whose studies have indicated that initially 3-5% of the British
Isles’ electricity and eventually up to 20% could come from
this source, utilizing the massive untapped wave energy resources
along the western shorelines of Britain and Eire.
Chairman of Checkmate Group, Paul Auston said:
"We are enormously excited by Anaconda's potential because
of its highly cost effective technology. Experts know that wave
energy harvesting needs a breakthrough in operating concept if electricity
is ever to be made for a sensible cost. Anaconda offers an excellent
chance of that for the first time. There will be many challenges
along the road, but we believe the full-scale development of the
device is possible because it does not need new materials or science.
Initial engineering and cost assessments in 2007 have proved very
favourable and we are pressing ahead with our scientifically rigorous
research and development programme which will demonstrate the cost
of power with sufficient accuracy to allow large scale investment
decisions to be made.”
Checkmate Seaenergy has today launched a new web
site full of information about the Anaconda project. www.checkmateuk.com/seaenergy
The company, which was founded in
2000 by a team of climbing enthusiasts, specialises in providing quality
equipment and advice for height safety in two main areas – professional
and sport.
C2 Vertical Safety will stock a selection
of Checkmate’s height safety equipment including the very latest
product – the Xcalibre 3 metre fall arrest block. The Swedish
firm is currently working with Checkmate Safety in the designing and
testing of a specialist rescue safety system for the country’s
national power industry.
Mattias Johansson, Managing Director
of C2 Vertical Safety said “At C2 we focus on quality and let
it permeate throughout our company activity. The Checkmate product
range fits well with our company ethos and will offer the high standard
our customers expect.”
Oliver Auston, Managing Partner of
Checkmate Safety added “The agreement with C2 Vertical Safety
is great news for Checkmate as it opens up a new international market
for us. We look forward to working with them to provide the quality
systems and equipment they need to continue to be the Swedish market
leader in the design and provision of height safety systems.”
Stephen Brice, Secretary to the Queen's
Awards Office, visited Checkmate's offices in Sheerness on 10th September,
to see for himself how winning the award for International Trade (in
2004) has helped the business develop.
The visit was part of a campaign
accross the South East to raise awareness of the Queen's Award and
the benefits it has brought to past and current holders. Described
as the equivalent of a "corporate knighthood" a Queen's
Award can give businesses a competitive edge, as well as acknowledging
the contribution made by the whole workforce to the success of the
organisation.
Steven Brice said "Checkmate
is an outstanding example of a company that, with a commitment to
continuous development, fully deserves the recognition its staff's
efforts have brought it."
Checkmate Group Chairman Paul Auston
said: "The award raised our profile significantly in the overseas
markets in which we strive to increase our presence, and it is a clear
indication to all those we work with of our commitment to developing
successful trading partnerships across the world."
Photo Caption: Managing Partner Oliver
Auston shows Stephen Brice around the factory at Sheerness.
A new world class research and test
facility for height safety and textile lifting equipment has been
opened by the Checkmate Group at their headquarters in Kent.
The new 80 sq m facility brings together
all the test equipment for both the safety and lifting divisions under
one roof and will help to maintain Checkmate’s position as market
leaders in the development of products and equipment in height safety
and textile lifting.
The new investment includes computers
and software to provide in-depth analysis and a greater understanding
of the test results.
The existing 75t horizontal test
machine has been up-graded to 85t allowing for in-house testing of
12t textile slings at 7:1 safety factor and is now controlled directly
from the data logging software. It has a sophisticated new system
with microprocessors which continually calculate the true load between
the set points and adjusts if necessary giving a very accurate reading.
At the end of the test the results are plotted on a force/time or
force/displacement graph.
The load-cell for dynamic testing
of the height safety equipment linked to the data logger enables high
speed capture of results during a drop test. Previously only peak
forces were measured, this advancement has helped Checkmate to understand
exactly the forces produced by different stages of the product deployment
leading to the continual development of safer products.
A CheckLine lifeline system is also
to be fitted to the roof for both demonstration and training purposes.
Managing partner Oliver Auston said
“Investment in the new test facility re-confirms Checkmate’s
drive to be at the forefront in the design and development of advanced
technological and innovative height safety and textile lifting equipment.”
The Marine Incident Response Group
has been set up by the MCA to deliver a more formal approach to dealing
with incidents of fire, chemical release and industrial accidents
on vessels and structures at sea. To do this the MCA has entered into
partnerships with 15 coastal fire and rescue services across the UK.
Following extensive countrywide trials
and evaluations of different types of fall arrest equipment, Checkmate’s
safety division has supplied MIRG with sets of fall arrest equipment
for each of their 15 teams and their trainers.
The sets include a fall arrest block
with 15 metres of self retracting steel cable, two harnesses, one
short work restraint device plus a number of strops, lanyards and
karabiners, to the 15 MIRG teams and their trainers. The fall arrest
equipment is designed to allow MIRG personnel to ascend and descend
a pilot ladder whilst wearing full Personal Protective Equipment or
Transportation Protective Equipment. It allows unhindered movement
during climbing, whilst preventing the individual from dropping further
than about 10 cm in the event of a fall.
The MCA has supplied the MIRG teams
with the new Checkmate Xcalibre, a 3m rapid action superlight fall
arrest block as a work restraint device, to be used when
working at or near the head of a
pilot ladder. It allows freedom of movement but will either prevent
the wearer from coming too close to the edge of the deck or arrest
a fall should it happen.
Oliver Auston Managing Partner of
Checkmate Safety said “We are delighted that the MCA has chosen
the Checkmate Group to provide their fall arrest, height safety equipment.
Checkmate strives to develop products which offer innovation, comfort
and reliability in a multitude of applications and we are pleased
that the Marine Incident Response Groups of the MCA have placed their
confidence in our products.”
+44(0) 1795 580 333
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(0) 1795 668 280
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