We wish to extend a warm welcome to Tricoya UK and are delighted to welcome back Kevin Briggs to our board of Directors.

Tricoya UK and its parent company Accsys are changing wood to change the world: enhancing the natural properties of certified sustainable wood to create high performance building products to give the world a choice to build more sustainably.

The Tricoya UK plant (currently under construction) is a world-first: directly acetylating wood chips for use in Tricoya MDF panels. These combine exceptional durability and dimensional stability – even in wet conditions – with the sustainability of wood and the ease of use of traditional MDF, opening new opportunities in architecture, design, building and construction.

Combining chemistry, technology and ingenuity to create these products for a more sustainable built environment, Accsys and Tricoya UK are pleased to be a part of the community of businesses in the Humber region.

Kevin Briggs, Site Manager for the Tricoya UK plant, said: “I’m delighted to be rejoining the CATCH board.  It’s an organisation with a great purpose and potential for meaningful impact, and I, Accsys and Tricoya UK support the continued development of the skills and competencies vital to these industries.”

We are pleased to release the following opportunity – We are looking for a creative and innovative company to design and build our new project website – The Humber Industrial Cluster Plan.

The requirement is to create an engaging, accessible, and adaptable website that will describe and promote the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan, evolving as the Plan is developed and with a legacy that will support future implementation. The website is expected to include a combination of reproduced and bespoke components.

For further information please contact Lisa – lisa.buck@catchuk.org or download the Invitation to Tender here.

Vacancy
Apprentice Junior Content Producer

CATCH is a small team – but we like to create a big impact, and we are looking for a positive, driven person who isn’t afraid of getting stuck in!

Due to the continued growth of HCF CATCH Limited, we are looking to recruit an apprentice Junior Content Producer, within our marketing function. We are seeking a highly motivated and confident apprentice looking to take the first step in their career.

Do you have an interest in Content Production? Can you tell a story, either through the written word or video? Do you know your LinkedIn from your TikTok? If so, we are looking for you!

In your role as Junior Content Producer,  you will work across all departments to put together exciting content, whilst having the confidence and ability to engage those you are working with. You will work closely with and assist our Stakeholder Engagement Manager to implement our engaging marketing plan across the CATCH business.

In return, you will learn from and work with a positive and friendly team who will support you in every step of your apprenticeship.

The role will be based at the CATCH facility in Stallingborough. It will consist of 37 hours a week – Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 16:00 and Friday 08:00 to 15:30. The salary will be based on the Apprenticeship Rate and will be subject to the completion of a successful probationary period. For further information, please email lisa.buck@catchuk.org.

Closing date for applications: 1st March 2021. Interviews w/c 8th March. With a view to start w/c 5th April 2021.

To apply please click here

An Introduction to Lean Six Sigma Thursday 11 February at 10am

The presentation will provide oversight on one of the most popular problem solving techniques that meshes the principles of Lean with those of Six Sigma to create a powerful tool. We will look at the 5 Principles of Lean, why the Voice of the Customer is all-important and where Waste can be found using simple tools and techniques.  We will look at Six Sigma and understand why reducing variation and the cause of defects will improve the quality of your product or service. Finally, the talk will explain DMAIC and introduce you to the structured methodology that complements Lean Six Sigma.

To register or for further information, please contact jill.mooney@catchuk.org

CATCH hosted the first Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Network of the year on Wednesday 27 January via TEAMs.  With 80 delegates drawn from CATCH membership and wider stakeholders from public, private and academic communities the meeting welcomed a number of new members to the group.

In the first presentation Dr Geraint Evans, from BeaconTech consultancy, gave an informative journey through the steps required to meet net zero for an industrial cluster.  The various technologies available to bring the Humber industrial cluster to a net zero or even net negative position were explored.

Geraint highlighted that the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan will have 2 years to demonstrate routes to net zero for different combinations of decarbonisation technologies and will be able to demonstrate the impact of new technologies on the cost and pace of decarbonisation.

Barriers to deployment cover a wide range from technical, social, economic and policy.  It could be argued that technical barriers are easiest to solve.  The way Covid has impacted our lives may see behaviours in the population shift to embracing lower carbon choices and wider social acceptance of the need to change.

Helen Sanders, Head of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at SSE Thermal, gave delegates a chance to understand how Keadby Clean Power Hub is moving forward in their ambitions to establish lower carbon energy production in the region.  Helen outlined their Keadby 2 plans and future plans for Keadby 3 which could become the first power station equipped with carbon capture technology.

Helen highlighted a recent socio-economic report which can be found here: https://www.ssethermal.com/media/ls5odlcw/powering-progress-keadby-2-socio-economic-impact-report.pdf

SSE Thermal are partners in both the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan and Zero Carbon Humber – a significant deployment project supporting an onshore CCS system and hydrogen production for the Humber.

Katie Hedges, Head of Membership & Low Carbon Strategy at CATCH, detailed the recent success of the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan which has secured £1.7million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to develop a plan for net zero by 2040.  The plan supports a range of deployment project bids that could see first end to end CO2 storage achieved by 2025-2027.

The next Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Network meets on 28 April and we are excited to announce the first Humber Hydrogen Network will be held on 10 March.

Please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org or lisa.buck@catchuk.org

Please tell us a little about Equinor

Equinor has been operating in the UK for over 35 years. Headquartered in Norway, the company employs 22,000 people globally, and over 650 in the UK. As a broad energy company, Equinor is committed to long term value creation in a low carbon future and aims to reach net zero emissions globally by 2050.

Equinor is the UK’s leading energy provider and supports the UK economy by investing billions in crucial energy infrastructure, working with over 700 suppliers across the country. Its energy supplies from Norway meet more than one quarter of the UK’s demand for natural gas and around one fifth of its demand for oil, both produced with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry. It operates the Mariner oil field, one of the largest and most digitally advanced offshore investments in the UK over the last decade, and is progressing Rosebank, the largest undeveloped field in the UK. Both projects support hundreds of jobs and economic activity in Scotland.

Equinor also operates two offshore wind farms off the East Coast of England, Dudgeon and Sheringham Shoal. It is a pioneer in floating wind technology with Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating wind farm off the coast of Peterhead, which is partnered with Batwind, the world’s first battery for offshore wind. And with its partner SSE Renewables, Equinor is building the largest offshore wind farm in the world, Dogger Bank, off the North East coast of England. It is also a leader in carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen, developing the H2H Saltend hydrogen production plant at the heart of the Zero Carbon Humber alliance, and partnering in the Net Zero Teesside project and the Northern Endurance Partnership.

What does the future look like for Equinor and how can CATCH support this vision in the Humber Region and beyond?

Equinor is committed to a low carbon future and to achieving net zero, as a company and in the regions that it works. Through Zero Carbon Humber and H2H Saltend it aims to support the decarbonisation of the Humber, the UK’s largest emitting industrial cluster. Achieving this goal will require buy-in, support and active engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, politics and the public. With big projects like this, it is important to win ‘hearts and minds’ and to stimulate engagement and discussion around the dinner table. We need the support of organisations like CATCH to achieve this.

 How did you find out about CATCH membership and why should others consider joining?

We are familiar with CATCH through working alongside them on the ISCF Industrial Decarbonisation fund and The Humber Industrial Cluster Plan. CATCH offers knowledgeable expertise, business support and resources, and access to other relevant stakeholders.

How can the CATCH membership support Equinor’s vision and how do they contact you?

We’ll continue to work closely with CATCH on the The Humber Industrial Cluster Plan and the decarbonisation agenda, and will want their ongoing support in our stakeholder engagement plans. They can contact myself or Ian Livingston.

A total of £1.7m government funding has been secured for the Humber Cluster Plan – a comprehensive plan for decarbonisation in our region, which will show how the Humber cluster can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, potentially making it the first in the world to do so.

This joint bid by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership and CATCH also involves eight private sector partner organisations and was submitted to Innovate UK as part of the Government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge Fund scheme, part of the £350m green recovery package announced by the Prime Minister in July.

The project, totalling £2.6m, will move the Humber closer to achieving large-scale decarbonisation, with businesses across the Humber working to find effective and lasting solutions for the region.

The eight partner organisations supporting the Humber Cluster Plan are: British Steel, Centrica, Drax, Equinor, National Grid Ventures, Phillips 66, SSE Thermal and VPI Immingham. They include the strategically important refining and steel sectors, as well as major energy producers and low carbon infrastructure providers. A wider group of businesses will be involved in developing the plan, with all energy-intensive industries in the Humber invited to take part.

Stephen Parnaby OBE, Chair of the Humber LEP, said: “We are thrilled our funding bid for the Humber Cluster Plan has been successful. This is a significant opportunity to achieve industrial decarbonisation at a large scale in our region, which has the potential to protect important jobs while helping us to achieve our Net Zero ambitions by 2040.

“This successful outcome has only been possible with the support of our industry partners, who have illustrated there is a huge appetite in the Humber to innovate, collaborate and strive for solutions to create a cleaner, greener future for our vital industries.”

David Talbot, CEO of CATCH, said: “We are delighted that our collaboration with the Humber LEP and industrial partners to form the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan has been successful in securing funding to deliver a route to net zero by 2040 for the regions industrial decarbonisation activities.

“CATCH membership represent some of the UKs highest CO2 emitters and we look forward to developing the regions ambitions to deliver a plan that is central to tackling the net zero challenge.

“Our industry in the Humber region is strategically important and today’s announcement will ensure that existing industry is sustainable, whilst attracting new innovative green businesses to the region and upskilling, protecting and creating jobs for the local community.”

We are incredibly proud of Katie Hedges, Head of Low Carbon and Membership, who has been short listed, following nomination for the “Humber Renewables Woman of the Year Award at the Humber Renewables Awards 2020.

Katie Hedges – Catch

The driving force behind the push towards Net Zero in the Humber, she has pulled together key personnel across a complex energy intensive environment to present the industrial decarbonisation opportunity.

A pivotal figure behind the Humber’s position, she is described as the ‘go to’ person for advice on all elements, be it fuel switching or carbon capture and “someone who truly has a vision for the future of the Energy Estuary”.

Katie comments – “I am delighted to have been nominated and shortlisted for the Renewables Woman of the Year award – I am wholeheartedly passionate about reducing carbon in our region and leading the Humber’s mission for low carbon future with the Humber Cluster Plan. Congratulations also to my two fellow finalists – Corinne Barry, EDS HV / Grimsby Renewables Partnership and Lauren McGee, Orsted”.

The Humber Renewables Awards are returning for their ninth year and will recognise success across nine categories, honouring firms large and small for doing their bit to make this area a fulcrum of green energy. The awards are an opportunity to highlight good practice, innovation and enterprise by businesses who have made the biggest impact over the past 12 months. Supported by BusinessLive.co.uk, the extensive coverage spans both sides of the Humber – in the Grimsby Telegraph, the Hull Daily Mail, online at www.hull-live.co.uk, www.grimsbylive.co.uk, across our social media channels and those of key stakeholders within the business.

You can read about the awards, the categories and finalists here.

Paul Bevan – Chair ConCom Committee

I’ve  worked in the local chemical & power industry for 32 years, mainly in the Humber bank area, starting off as a mechanical apprentice in the chemical industry working to technician level before leaving after 11 years to join South Humber Bank Power Station.

Whilst  being in the power sector I have carried out roles from mech technician & Safety advisor working across a portfolio of 7 stations setting up CDM policies and procedures and managing outage safety,  before moving back to a lead engineer role in a portfolio engineering team, planning and delivering projects across several power stations.

I am currently the Maintenance Manager at South Humber Bank Power Station and have been in post for  6 years.

How important is the Concom Scheme to you?

I have seen a dramatic improvement in the way safety and competence has evolved and been managed on the various sites I have worked on.  The improvements and standards from contract partners and clients over the years has improved and believe Concom, acting as client lead, has helped with the improvements in knowledge share and networking.

Concom is a proactive scheme and sets standards of both competence and safety performance and provides a forum for open discussion between all parties both Client and contractor.

We have been members of the scheme at SHB since 2015 and have seen value throughout.

Finally just for fun, please tell us something unusual about yourself or something that is not on your CV?

Away from work I have an old vespa that I occasionally ride when I get time, and for my sins I support the Mighty Mariners of Grimsby Town.

For more details of the ConCom scheme – click here.

Please tell us a little about Roxby Training Solutions

For more than 60 years the name Roxby has been associated with Instrumentation, Measurement and Control. Throughout this period the company has trained thousands of Apprentices, Technicians and Engineers to understand and apply the ever-increasing developments of technology within

this field of engineering. Following developments to the training centre and new ownership in 2010, a new name of Roxby Training Solutions was introduced leading the development of an extensive range of training and assessments across the areas of Electrical, Mechanical, Instrument with particular specialisms in CompEx (Hazardous Areas) and Instrumentation training / assessments. We offer courses from both of our facilities which are located in Stockton-on-Tees and here in Stallingborough, along with delivering on client’s sites on a multinational and international scale. As part of our training portfolio, we offer accredited and non-accredited solutions to meet varying needs.

What support and services can you offer companies in the region and beyond?

Here at Roxby, we appreciate that people are the most important asset to any business, by providing professional, technical and specialist training, this enhances the workforce’s overall competence and performance. Roxby provides a friendly and relaxed environment where learning is aimed to be enjoyable although challenging and stimulating, a place where candidates can reach their full potential.

We are committed to supplying a service to meet client’s expectations in terms of quality and reliability, as well as upholding and maintaining a range of accreditations including but not limited to:-

CompEx

This is a globally recognised qualification associated with the validation of competency for those working in hazardous areas / potentially explosive atmospheres. Roxby recognises the importance for all personnel working amongst or in these environments requiring support and training, thereby offering the following units from the scheme:-

• CompEx Foundation
• CompEx Foundation Plus
• CompEx Ex01 – Ex04 Gas and Vapours
• CompEx Refresher
• CompEx Ex05 – Ex06 Dust
• CompEx Ex11 Mechanical
• CompEx Ex12 Application Design Engineers
• CompEx Ex14 Responsible Person

ECITB

The ECITB are a well-known organisation amongst employers and training providers, being the skills, standards and qualifications body for the development of the engineering construction workforce of Great Britain. Upholding this accreditation enables us to offer a suite of instrumentation courses to industry recognised standards, these being:-

• CO 02: Work safely & minimise risk in engineering construction.
• TP MPS I & C 04: Adjust instrument & control systems to meet operating requirements in engineering construction.
• TP MPS I & C 13: Test the performance and conditioning of instrument & control systems in engineering construction.
• TP MPS I & C 15: Diagnose & determine the causes of faults in engineering construction instrument & control systems.

Our ECITB courses are available in a modular or a full programme format of delivery, providing the opportunity of a flexible and bespoke solution.

 Why did you decide to base your business at CATCH

Since the 1960’s the Roxby name has been synonymous with a wide range of training, it established a reputation for delivering first class, fast response training to a wide range of industries from its Roxby Training Solutions (RTS) HQ based in Teesside, meeting its clients’ needs in all cases. Its focus on CompEx (Competency in Explosive Atmospheres) meant it fast became a  centre of excellence for CompEx training. Through the training network we were approached discussions commenced with CATCH in 2013 to replicate this training facility within the Humber region. The opportunity was seized & the CompEx accredited centre was established & formally opened in March 2014.

The Humber for many years was primarily associated with the oil, gas and chemical industries and of late it has become a growth leader in the renewable, energy and bio-renewables too that shall further grow to engulf the carbon capture and Hydrogen sectors, all containing some form of hazardous areas. RTS Co-Owners David Sumpter and Geoff Fulcher along with their team have shown their continued commitment and investment to these industries by expanding the centre and by continuing to develop the courses provided to meet the requirement of the growing diverseness of industries in the area. We look forward to expanding on the training we provide moving forward as part of the CATCH training hub and their successful journey.

As Leonardo  Da Vinci once said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.” So into 2021 we go with the greatest optimism that it will be a safe and successful year, providing our clients that learning experience that hopefully will not exhaust their minds, well not too much anyway.

For further information please visit www.roxby.com