Specialist Welding Services of the Isle of Lewis recently asked TWI to help them improve their manual techniques in plastics welding. Andy Knight from TWI North in Middlesbrough took on the job and designed and delivered a course specific to their needs. The tailor-made course took place at their workshop in Newmarket, just outside Stornaway.
The company was set up seven years ago by Callum Macphail. It began as a mobile welding service, fabricating anything in metal from hanging baskets to fences and items for the fish farming industry.
Work for the salmon farmers led to a request about four years ago for plastics welding repairs to fish boxes and then handrails and cages made from MDPE. New installation and continuing repair work, plus repairs to the plastic (HDPE) work boats, now account for some 40% of the company's work.
Callum now intends to move forward to certification for his workforce next year in hot gas, extrusion and butt fusion welding processes which will help him diversify further into plastic fabrication.
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