Hunslet Engine Company Receive award at RFG Awards Dinner

At the recent RFG Awards dinner, Hunslet Engine Company were runners up in the Technology Development category.

The award was given for the development and construction of the 60 tonne DH60C series of multi purpose, 3 axle diesel hydraulic locomotive.

The award highlighted the innovative design in reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact. Couple with the very latest PLC Controls and monitoring system.

Caption under photo: Pictured above receiving the award from First GBRf’s John Smith (left) is Hunslet Engine Company’s Derek Webb (right), with Richard Walfod of Burges Slamon LLP in the background.

For further information, please contact:
Sarah Millington – Marketing Manager
LH Group Services Ltd.
Phone: 01283 722600
Email: Sarah Millington

L H Group Services Expand Overhaul Facilities

L H Group Services, the largest independent UK supplier of DMU engines and transmissions are increasing their overhaul capacity by creating a new 20,000 sq ft works to meet increased demand for their products and services.

The Chairman, Mr Graham Lee said, “This increased capacity would enable the company to expand in to new areas of supply, further extend the customer base and our current product range. Utilising our extensive manufacturing facility shortens the supply chain to achieve continuation of quality, supply and achieve cost reduction for the customer. Our existing customer base sees this as a unique advantage in this increasingly competitive business.”

Mr Lee also confirmed that in addition to the extra capacity, L H Group has embarked on building a new improved test cell for DMU rafts, which will be operational in time for 2010.

In addition to the increase in space, LH Group Wheelsets Ltd are investing £500,000 in new equipment that will increase its wheelset capacity by 66%, enabling it to build over 5,000 wheelsets in 2010.

For further information, please contact:
Sarah Millington – Marketing Manager
LH Group Services Ltd.
Phone: 01283 722600
Email: Sarah Millington

Apprentice of the Year Award to Adrian Mills

Congratulations to LH Group Services apprentice Adrian Mills, who recently won the prestigious apprentice of the year award for engineering at Burton College.

Adrian received his award at the annual awards ceremony which was held at Burton Town Hall and was attended by all the local dignitaries.

Presenting the award was Raef Bjayou who was a contestant on the Apprentice television programme with Sir Alan Sugar.

Well done Adrian!

The Staffordshire Downs Syndrome Support Group

Pictured above Mr & Mrs Hoskins and their son Joshua from The Stafforshire Downs Syndrome Support Group together with our four LH fun runners: Paul, Stuart, Tom & Paul. LH Group won the shield for the team that raised the most money for charity: £530.50

In 2008, the employees of LH Group adopted The Staffordshire Downs Syndrome Support Group as their chosen charity.

Over the year, funds were raised by a raffle being held each month for various different gifts that were generously donated by employees and suppliers, a donation box on the steam clean bay where employees could wash their cars, and a donation from the Company Directors who opted to send out electronic email Christmas card for the charity.

£530.50 was raised alone by four of our employees: Tom Ellis, Paul Spooner, Paul Howlett and Stuart Moore who were sponsored for a four mile fun run.

The total raised was £1,876.33, and will pay for numerous family outings in 2009 which Debbie Hoskins, the Charity Organiser arranges for around 30 families within the group.

Importance of Apprenticeships

AN ENGINEER from Hatton is among 75 apprentices at Burton College celebrating their achievements.

The group, who have completed their foundation and advance apprenticeships in a range of areas, celebrated their success in an informal presentation evening held at the Lichfield Street campus.

Apprenticeships included engineering, decorative occupations, wood occupations, hairdressing, customer service and motor vehicle maintenance.

Among those celebrating was Andrew Redfern, 26, from Hatton, who works at LH Group Services, in Barton-under-Needwood.

After successfully completing his advanced apprenticeship in engineering well in advance of the completion date, Mr Redfern - who was named apprentice of the year by his employer - has now progressed on to studying for a foundation degree at the college.

Joining the ceremony were representatives from companies in the area who have provided the students with their work-related training, including International Power Ltd, LH Group Services, Coleman
Hydraulics and Bell Equipment UK Ltd.

Howard Boswell, the college's director of employer engagement and marketing said: "Apprenticeships have an important role to play in alleviating the current skills shortage being witnessed across the region and one of the college's major roles is to ensure that companies, sub-contractors and small owner-managed businesses have access to highly skilled young craftspeople across a wide range of trades.

"The importance of apprenticeships can be illustrated by the fact that the college was recently awarded a £2.4 million contract by the Learning and Skills Council to deliver almost 700 work-based apprenticeships in the forthcoming year, in partnership with local companies in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, representing a 30 per cent increase in last year's contract.

"To succeed you need to show dedication and commitment and this presentation provides the opportunity for the college to acknowledge this.

"In addition, it is also a real indication of the support and commitment the College receives from many local employers which enables young people to undertake work based training.

"All the students now have the knowledge and experience to take the first steps on the ladder to a successful and rewarding career."

College principal and chief executive Keith Norris said: "Celebrating the achievements of successful students is one of the most rewarding duties I have."

Article courtesy of Burton Mail