Applus RTD - 75 years!
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May Issue 2012 Applus RTD - 75 years!
Transcript of Applus RTD - 75 years!
M a y I s s u e 2 0 1 2
Applus RTD - 75 years!
Introduction
Cooperation in Certification Services
75 years of innovation!
Low level radioactive waste testing and
inspection
Shell selects Applus+ as global inspection
services provider
News in Brief
Looking to the future
Keeping ahead in a changing world
A complementary acquisition
Full speed ahead in the Danish market
The challenge of achieving Operational
Excellence
Keep
AA com
Full
Th
C o n t e n t sC o l o p h o n
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Impulse is a publication of
the Applus RTD Group
With every edition of Impulse, it is our aim to
both surprise and stimulate you. In this issue,
Applus RTD’s new Regional Director Western
Europe introduces himself to Impulse readers
and outlines his views for optimizing the way
clients are supported. In addition, many of
the achievements made during the company’s
‘first 75 years’ of operation are highlighted,
plus a number of articles on challenges which
have been successfully overcome... both
for clients all over the world and also within
Applus RTD’s own business organization.
Maybe you too have ‘a tale to tell’ and would
like to share your experiences with our many
global readers? If you do, just contact your
local Applus RTD representative or the
Impulse Editorial Team. We look forward to
hearing from you.
For further information on any of the
articles, please contact the Editorial team.
We will arrange for you to receive that
information via the author of the article.
Other questions, comments and suggestions
should be sent to:
Impulse Editorial Team
Applus RTD Group
P.O. Box 491
2900AL Capelle aan de IJssel
The Netherlands
T +31 10 716 61 13
F +31 10 716 63 73
www.ApplusRTD.com
Anouska Kroon
Group Journalist, Applus RTD Group
Care has been taken to ensure that all
information contained in Impulse is correct
and up-to-date. However, Applus RTD
accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or
changes to published material.
1937 – 2012
Applus RTD... celebrating 75 years
of teamwork and commitment
1937 – 2011222
Applus RTD celebrating 75 years
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I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2
We can offer
our clients more
As Applus RTD celebrates its 75th anniversary, Peter de Bree also celebrates his
appointment as Regional Director Western Europe (WEUR) and looks forward to the new
challenges it will bring.
One of the first things I want to get across to clients – both existing and potential -
is that Applus RTD is a lot more than just NDT&I operations. We are in fact, in a position
to differentiate ourselves towards our clients more than ever before. For some years,
we have had our specialized departments like Leak- and Tube Testing (Meettechniek),
Advanced NDT, Radiation Protection Services, Tank-, Plant- and Piping Inspections and
the Probe Department, but not all clients are aware of the added value these can bring
to their own inspection requirements. Today, in addition to standard solutions we can
also provide advanced concepts which can often be more economical and attractive
for clients if they consider the total costs of assuring the integrity of their assets.
For example, on relatively simple geometries, ToFD has today become fairly standard
for Applus RTD, whereas a couple of years ago it was considered an advanced solution.
This is just one demonstration of how we must constantly strive for improvement and
differentiate ourselves with services that add value for our clients.
Communicating our capabilities
At Applus RTD, our capacity for delivering, and where necessary, combining solutions can
be seen for example in tank inspection. To establish the condition of a storage tanks
it needs a combination of investigative techniques. And in-house we have a range of
solutions like C-scan, INCOTEST, Manual UT and Slofec... an extensive range that won’t
be found with most of our competitors. Because we possess them all, we can advise the
client which is best for his own particular situation. And once we have established the
condition of the tank, we can then make suggestions regarding recommended changes
to usage, or via Applus RTD Certification, provide an official certificate. It is this sort of
approach that demonstrates to clients the full scope of what we can offer... even if we
sometimes forget to ‘tell the world’ ourselves.
A local commitment
Within Applus RTD Western Europe, this year the activity of the Sales organization
has been separated from Operations. It means sales activities between the various
geographical Regions can be optimally coordinated and the whole organization will
become more commercially focused. We will however, continue to look after clients’ needs
on a local basis, since our Sales Engineers will remain located in the regional offices.
What is new, is the fact that Sales has become an independent department, and as such
our other advanced techniques and services can be more effectively promoted to our
clients. A further advantage of centralizing Sales is that estimates can be made more
efficiently and Sales Engineers will have more time to visit clients to discuss their needs
face to face.
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Using resources. Boosting efficiency
In my area of operations, The Netherlands,
Belgium and France, growth at the moment
is somewhat static because there are very
few new construction projects and also
because the existing market is mature.
Because of this we are seeking improvement
in the field of Operational Excellence, doing
more with the same resources or the
same with fewer resources. A part of this
exercise involves the introduction of our
Quintiq tool which enables us to improve our
planning operations which in turn means we
can carry out the same work for less cost...
a very positive advantage (see page 22 in
this issue of Impulse for Nick Hoffmeister’s
article on Quintiq).
Safety... always
Particularly through my background in
offshore projects, having worked for some
18 years at Heerema, one thing always
comes to the fore in all operations...
safety... and in recent years I have been
heavily engaged in setting up dedicated programs to promote a safety culture. The subject
is so important in fact that at the meetings which I lead, it is always the first item on the
agenda! We are committed to setting high standards and where possible, setting them even
higher. It is vital that when Applus RTD personnel are operating at a client’s site that safety
in all that they do is paramount. For us, it is good to receive positive comments from our
clients over our safety performance. Our motto is in fact... ‘No incidents’.
I am proud to take on a new challenge within our organization, and I know with the backing of
a dedicated team that has pride in the company and is committed to supporting our clients
in the best possible way, we will go forward together. And as communications and networks
continue to bring us closer together... more and more that statement ‘the world is smaller
than you think’ is proving to be true!
Pleasant reading.
Peter de Bree
Director Western Europe (WEUR)
Applus RTD Group
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The first orders received
The first orders from Multimetal Construction
have now been received. These involve design
conformity assessments for some pressure
tanks, and a pig receiver which is intended for
future use on offshore platforms on the Dutch
part of the continental shelf, owned by NAM.
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 5
In Den Helder, in the north of The Netherlands, the
first Applus Velosi conformity assessment certificate
was recently handed over to Multimetal Construction,
by Applus RTD Certification. The client, a leading
supplier of equipment for the offshore industry in
The Netherlands, was the first to benefit from the
advantages of cooperation between Applus RTD
Certification and Applus Velosi.
Extensive certification services
Applus RTD Certification offers the market an
extensive range of certification services. These are
complementary to the NDT & I services of Applus
RTD. Included within the package that Applus RTD
Certification supplies to Multimetal, are statutory
inspection and certification of pressure equipment,
welding procedures and welding personnel.
Being active in the area of the construction of new
equipment, Multimetal has to comply with European
legislation on pressure equipment (PED – Pressure
Equipment Directive) and as such requires the services
of a Notified Body in this field.
Cooperation the way forward
Following Applus Velosi’s entry into the Applus Group,
a cooperation agreement between Applus RTD
Certification and the Applus Velosi Certification Bureau
in Reading, UK was established. This importantly
expanded the operation’s NOBO opportunities into new
markets. The personnel of Applus RTD Certification are
qualified to operate under the Applus Velosi banner,
and the service portfolio is offered to other Applus
RTD clients.
Applus RTD Certification senior inspector Cor Stedelaar hands
over the conformity assessment certificate to Multimetal’s
quality manager Paul Klamer.
A satisfied customer! Paul Klamer of Multimetal stands between
Serge Erdtsieck, Applus RTD Certification’s technical manager
(left) and Applus Velosi Certification Bureau technical manager
Matteo Convento (right).
Cooperation in
Certification Services
Rotterdam municipal hospital
1962 Another RTD initiative – introduction of the IIW reference
collection of radiographs
1962 RTD’s 25th anniversary celebration
1963 Number 10 system for line pipe inspection delivered to pipe mill
1964 Contract for inspection of zircalloy tubing for nuclear fuel rods
1965 Eurotom contract – ‘How to inspect welds in extremely
thick walls’
1965 Start of in-house ultrasonic probe development
1965 Training department founded
1965 Application of RTD’s self-contained x-ray crawlers for girth
weld inspection
1965 Another first... introduction of tandem technique
1966 Involvement in the Kalkar project in Germany... a fast breeder
reactor
1966 Eurotest founded
1966 RTD involvement in ultrasonic inspection of Dodewaard,
The Netherlands nuclear power plant
1967 Unique Microfocus long rod x-ray equipment for Kalkar
components is designed
1967 Tubifex ultrasonic inspection for Kalkar components designed
1967 Number of employees reaches 551
1968 RTD exhibits Sonolog Vessel Scanner – prototype system for weld
inspection in heavy walls
1968 Another RTD innovation – an ultrasonic technique for inspecting
difficult welds in stainless steel
1968 Involvement with inspection of Borssele nuclear power plant in
The Netherlands
1969 Commissioning of LINAC 8MeV linear accelerator – joint operation
between RTD and RSV Heavy Equipment
1970 Probe development and building department founded
1970 RTD and Siemens/KWU carry out pioneering work in development
of recurrent ultrasonic inspection
1971 SONOLOG registered as trade name
1972 Delivery of Vessel Scanner to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan
1972 Company changes name from Röntgen Technische Dienst N.V.
to B.V.
1973 RTD Germany established in West Germany
1974 Contract from Euratom – ‘How to inspect welds in austenitic
(difficult) materials’
1975 RTD introduces the ultrasonic flaw tip reflection method for
sizing defects - ‘ToFD avant la lettre’
1976 Mutual RPIT development with Shell for internal inspection of
risers
1977 Second generation Vessel Scanner for mobile services completed
1978 In-house development of second generation Rotoscan completed
1979 Establishment of a separate Engineering Inspections Department
to provide lower cost inspection services
1980 Start of development of the Beetle family – a magnetic crawler
to climb high structures
1937 Röntgen Technische Dienst N.V. is established
1937 – 1959 The company’s first director Mr. L. Van Ouwerkerk
1945 Purchase of 10 Kelvin Hughes ultrasnic units to start ultrasonic
inspection
1945 A first for RTD... the first panoramic x-ray image
1946 Introduction of magnetic particle inspection
1947 Dye penetrant inspection started
1947 The company grows from 4 to 42 employees
1948 RTD takes the initiative to organize the first of a series of
international conferences
1949 Krautkrämer ultrasonic equipment purchased to replace Kelvin
Hughes instruments
1951 Introduction of isotopes to complement x-ray equipment
1952 First patent obtained for mechanized ultrasonic inspection
1955 First ‘all in one’ portable x-ray equipment type Fedrex/Andrex
single tank unit
1955 Purchase of land on the Delftweg, where the Dutch main office
was built and still remains today
1955 Development of the Portaflux portable magnetic inspection
device
1955 First world NDT conference held in Brussels... a Belgian/Dutch
initiative
1956 Start of a major international project for pipeline inspection
in Venezuela
1956 RTD pioneers medical application of ultrasonics... lasting over
a decade
1956 RTD subsidiaries established in Venezuela and Curacao
(Dutch Antilles)
1957 Prototype designed for ultrasonic longitudinal weld inspection
system – a world first for pipe mills
1957 First in-house personnel magazine launched – Schermbeeld
1958 Sonolg – first multichannel ultrasonic equipment with paper chart
recording
1958 Patent-based prototype Rotoscan and in-house three-channel
ultrasonic equipment finalized
1958 Introduction of profile radiography for on-stream corrosion
detection
1958 First pipe mill inspection system delivered to Phoenix Rheinrohr
in Germany
1958 Inspection of Rotterdam-Rhine pipeline for transporting crude oil
1958 Involvement in inspection of nuclear research reactor in Petten,
The Netherlands
1959 Professional Rotoscan system for girth weld inspection during
pipeline construction
1959 Construction of RTD x-ray cable crawlers for internal girth
weld inspection
1960 R&D department established under manager Arie de Sterke
1960 RTD introduces calibration blocks to the international
NDT community
1961 RTD introduces a novel B-scan for medical applications in
est fo
volve
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1966
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75 years of innovation!
1937
1937
945
194
6 I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2
1980 RTD’s largest contract to date – inspection of a huge pipeline
project in Argentina
1980 RTD Belgium established
1981 First PIT job received from Irving refineries in Canada for
inspection off-loading line
1981 Lloyd’s Register of Shipping becomes 100% shareholder
1982 The world’s largest x-ray is made
1982 Big pipeline project from Italy to Tunisia
1983 Wasserphant system for recycling ultrasonic couplant liquids
is developed
1984 Diffuscan, for its time a very advanced system for fusion weld
inspection, delivered to German nuclear research center
1985 PURIST robotic system for inspection of radioactive elements
delivered to Ispra, Italy
1986 Introduction of fiber optics to enable very long PIT cables
1987 Development of a system for inspecting drums of
ultracentrifuges used for enriching uranium
1987 50th anniversary celebrations
1988 Joint venture with Stork Netherlands begins for a mutual
materials investsigation laboratory
1989 ROTOSCAN technology finally accepted... first commercial order
from Canada
1989 RTD acquires NDT sales company LTT
1990 RTD Canada established
1991 Development of portable Mapscan positioning device for colour
recording of corrosion
1992 Establishment of RTD in Czech Republic
1992 Development of the INCOTEST system for non-contact wall
thickness measurement begins
1992 Anglo-Dutch Award for Enterprise received – an annual
entrepreneurial prize from the British/Dutch Chambers of
Commerce
1992 First participation at the Business Marathon in Rotterdam
1993 Subsidiary established in Nigeria
1994 Dienst voor het Stoomwezen (Steam Vessel Inspectorate
Department) acquired by RTD and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
1995 Introduction of SLOFEC technology for inspection of thick
steel walls
1995 First e-mail system becomes operational
1996/1997 Internet access established
1997 RTD INCOTEST registered as a trade name
1998 RTD Slovakia starts
1998 First RTD website
1999 Introduction of an improved sizing technique for pipeline AUT,
based on ‘sizing curves’
1992
1993 Subs
1994 Dienst
Departm
995 c Introduc
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5 m First e-m
6/1997 te Int
7 OT RTD INCO
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8 D First RTD
99 t Introduct
based on
2000 Completion of the OPTIMIZE project – equipment for corrosion
detection in large ship’s hulls
2001 RTD’s activities for inspection of offshore risers in deep water
(more than 2000 meters) begin
2002 ABN Amro Bank N.V. acquires RTD
2002 February – first issue of Impulse corporate magazine
2003 RTD acquires Compra in Germany
2003 Introduction of RTD’s phased array ultrasonic equipment
2004 RTD acquires Steeltest in Australia
2004 Ultrasonic probe number 40,000 is delivered
2005 First application of RotoPIT for corrosion detection with full
surface coverage
2005 Mutual development with BAM Berlin of TomoCar –
a 3D x-ray system
2005 Development of the fast digital x-ray system for girth weld
inspection RayScan, is completed
2005 RTD acquires PS&I in France
2006 Applus+ takes over RTD resulting in Applus RTD
2006 RTD LNG Scan and Vessel Scan registered as trade names
2007 Introduction of new Applus RTD logo and name
2007 Applus RTD takes over Vantage and DCI (The Netherlands), PNDT
(Australia) and RMI (Norway)
2007 70th anniversary celebrations
2008 First issue of InterFace, internation personnel magazine
2008 Applus RTD takes over MB Inspection (UK) and starts Applus RTD
Austria and Applus RTD Switzerland
2008 Applus RTD takes over JanX (USA)
2008 PIT inspection of the longest off-loading pipeline in Colombia –
18 kilometers!
2008 Applus RTD starts operational business in Japan
2009 Applus RTD acquires Ekopol in Poland
2009 Applus RTD acquires CTS in France
2009 RTD RAYSCAN registered as a trade name
2009 Applus RTD takes over Technico in Canada
2009 26th April... first international inter-company football match –
Applus RTD Benelux wins!
2009 Partnership agreement between Applus RTD and Procontrol, Italy
2010 Acquisitions of QISI (New York, USA) and Stavely (Ontario, Canada)
2010 Applus RTD acquires Valley X in USA
2010 Denmark office opened
2011 Iain Light becomes CEO of Applus RTD – the first non-Dutch CEO
2011 RTD IWEX 3D Imager registered as trade name
2011 Acquisition of Qualitec, Brazil
2011 Expansion in the USA with the acquisition of Kiefner & Associates
2012 Applus RTD celebrates its 75th anniversary!
7
Innovation in a changing world. That is perhaps the major characteristic behind the success of today’s Applus RTD since its
establishment in 1937 as Röntgen Technische Dienst (RTD), a company that was then virtually solely focused on radiographic inspection.
Over the passing years, the company has grown and diversified into what is today a true world leader in NDT&I and Asset Integrity
Services. A company that is supporting the world’s oil and gas, conventional and nuclear power plants, aviation and aerospace
industries... and many more besides. Through a commitment to innovation, improvement and strategic growth, and also to stimulating
and developing the skills and expertise of its own ‘global family’ so that clients are optimally served. Wherever they may be.
Whatever their requirements.
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For over a year, Applus RTD’s QIS (Quality Inspection
Services) colleagues have been supporting the
new Waste Controls Specialists LLC site in
West Texas, USA with civil materials testing and
inspection services for virtually every aspect of
the project. The site which will be the first to open
in the USA in the last 30 years, will handle disposal
of Class A, B and C low level radioactive waste
Low level radioactive
waste testing and
inspection
from commercial and government generators.
In cooperation with Envirotech Engineering and
Consulting, QIS laboratories and technicians have
provided the required services for each disposal
cell, water retention basin, supporting building and
infrastructure upgrade project which make up the new
facilities.
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 9
Applus RTD QIS... providing specialized support
The QIS soils laboratory which is adjacent to the
project, has supplied key testing support for the
classification of materials. Other QIS services have
involved providing moisture density relationships for
soils to be compacted, as well as hydrometer analysis
to determine the clay content of Dockum red bed clay
for use in the disposal cell liner construction.
The clay makes the Andrews County site unique as it
is a critical component of the liner that protects
against any unwanted migration of stored material.
The QIS concrete laboratory has also been instrumental
in its role as the storage location for concrete test
cylinders, providing the essential environment for
curing concrete specimens that were moulded on site
during construction. This involves maintaining a specific
moisture and temperature for 28 days, after which
specimens are destructively tested for compression
strength.
Extended testing facilities
Batch plant testing services have also been provided by
QIS to Potter Concrete which is the firm responsible
for maintaining the project-dedicated, on-site concrete
batch plant. The services include initial inspection
for NRMCA compliance, final inspection for NRMCA
certification, dedicated daily materials testing, and
quality control for the freshly mixed concrete used in
the waste disposal cell liners. This pre-delivery testing,
in conjunction with testing at the point of placement,
are crucial elements in maintaining product quality.
They also help ensure that the concrete placed will
remain viable for many years to come.
Ideal location
The Andrews County site is located both geographically
and geologically, in a unique area which is perfect for
waste storage. An important advantage is that there is
also plenty of land still available which is not yet utilized.
As such, it could provide the opportunity for a large
number of cells to be constructed in the future.
Applus RTD QIS is proud to be able to support
Waste Control Specialists in Texas, as well as other
states using this landfill to promote the safe and
effective storage of radioactive waste. Key roles
in this activity have been played by QIS specialists...
Sergio Marquez, Sergio Rivera, Kevin Miller,
John Cook and Jim Handzlik.
fe and
y roles
ble to su
xas, as
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e waste
d by QIS
Kevin Mi
The global oil and gas company has signed a four-year
global Enterprise Framework Agreement (EFA) that
identifies Applus+ divisions Velosi and RTD as one of
the leading inspection, non-destructive testing and
related services provider.
Teamwork... the vital ingredient
Wayne Hutchinson, VP Enterprise Categories and
Supplies Management of Shell, and Iain Light, CEO of
Applus RTD on behalf of Applus+, have signed a four-
year global Enterprise Framework Agreement (EFA).
This agreement identifies the global inspection, testing
and quality company as a provider to Shell for services
related to vendor and quality assurance/quality control
inspections, as well as non-destructive testing and
related services.
Shell selects Applus+
as global inspection
services provider
10
The agreement will encompass many of Shell’s direct
operations and its affiliates around the world for
both capital projects and existing operating assets.
The services of Applus RTD and Applus Velosi, two
divisions of Applus+, one of the ten largest companies
in the conformity assessment sector worldwide will be
combined to provide the integrated solution.
Iain Light, Applus RTD CEO, stated, “the Shell EFA is a
significant milestone in the long-standing relationship
between Shell and Applus+, as since the early 1950s
we have been providing x-ray and other NDT services
for Shell’s Pernis refinery in The Netherlands. With our
current global coverage and expanded service portfolio,
we believe that Applus RTD and Applus Velosi offer the
best inspection and NDT solutions to the global oil and
gas markets both upstream and downstream”.
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 11
Director Shell Projects and Technology Mathias Bichsel and Applus RTD CEO Iain Light
Dr. Nabil Abd Jalil, Applus Velosi CEO, stated “This
agreement will allow Applus Velosi to continue their
strong global relationship with Royal Dutch Shell and will
open considerable opportunities to build upon that
relationship in new areas”.
N e w s i n B r i e f
Singapore new address
12
In the last issue of Impulse, the new offices for Applus
RTD in Singapore were introduced. However, the
address and contact number given at that time were
incorrect. Please note the new details:
Applus RTD Pte Ltd
No. 70 Kian Teck Road
Singapore 6228798
Tel: +65 6430 0665
Fax: +65 6898 970
Applus RTD sponsors PRCI Meeting in Barcelona
Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) will be
holding a meeting of its pipeline technical committees
in Barcelona, Spain from 16th – 18th May this year.
The event will bring together leading technical
representatives from PRCI’s pipeline operating
company and service provider memberships from all
over the world. As a leading associate member, Applus
RTD will host the PRCI meeting, as well as on 15th
May, an NDT Best Practice Session at the company’s
world class facilities in Barcelona. Here, participants,
Applus RTD specialists and PRCI members will be able
to see and discuss technical concepts relating to AUT
of pipeline girth welds, unpiggable pipelines, corrosion
under insulation, fatigue, permanent monitoring etc.. In
the next issue of Impulse, there will be a report of this
important event together with a number of interviews.
Teamwork in the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon!
Once again, Applus RTD was strongly represented
in the annual Rotterdam Marathon. The ‘super fit’
entrants ran in two categories with some very notable
results!
Duo Marathon
Total number of participating teams – 95
Applus RTD 2 – Janna Brand and Michiel Engel – 4th
place in a time of 3 hours 11 minutes and 2 seconds.
Applus RTD 1 – Brian van der Werf and Omid Rahimian
Motlagh – 13th place in 03:22:47.
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 13
From left to right: Enrico van Maren, Janna Brand, René Wielhouwer, Brian van der Werf
Relay Marathon
Total number of participating teams - 518
Applus RTD 1 – Rene Wielhouwer, Stefan Janssen,
William Lamregts and Frank de Gier – 14th place, in
03:08:40.
Applus RTD 5 – Enrico van Maren, Chris van der Have,
Andy Hoy and Dennis Hylkema – 212nd place, in 03:49:15.
Applus RTD 4 – Daphne Bantjes, Jeroen Bakker, Tonny
van der Have and Tom Rigters – 315th place, in 03:59:17.
Applus RTD 3 – Jennifer de Weert, Valerie de Weert,
Aad Jetten and Willem Dings – 382nd place.
Applus RTD 2 – Wouter Jansen, Koen Plaisir, Frans
Groos and Dragan Pavic, 422nd place.
Looking to the
future!
14
In line with the company’s policy of developing
strategies, as well as the people who will help take
Applus RTD forward to meet the challenges that
lie ahead, in November last year CEO Iain Light and
Regional Director Neil Hannah presented Crystal
awards at a special celebration event for 12
apprentices and their families. The young trainees
had successfully completed a four-year ECITB
(Engineering Construction Industry Training Board)
program. Also present for the celebrations were
clients, the ECITB (including Scottish Regional Chair
John Mellon and his wife) and the Forth Valley college
representatives (where the off-the-job activities
were undertaken). The apprenticeship programme
was such a success in fact, that a second intake of
20 enthusiastic young people has just been recruited!
An investment in tomorrow
The first intake of 12 apprentices was the start of
what is to become a planned program of development
and job creation for potential young talent. While the
apprentices were busy with their training the company
too, was able to learn a lot about creating an optimal
program. The result has been the creation of a model
that suits both Applus RTD and its clients. Its success
has also led to the decision that every two years more
people will be recruited to assist with succession
planning in areas such as ANDT and engineering etc.
Applus RTD’s program organizers were very impressed
with the level of talent encountered, and it was clear
from interviews that levels of enthusiasm for the
initiative were high, with candidates seeking to make
Looking ahead, a further 20 apprentices have now been recruited.
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 15
As CEO Iain Light says... “Applus RTD recognizes
the importance of training apprentices, and the
benefits that they can offer to our business and
to the services we offer our clients. We are sure
the second group of 20 apprentices will follow in
the pioneering footsteps of the first 12 who have
now qualified as competent NDT technicians. Our
post-apprenticeship program includes aspects
such as Advanced NDT qualifications, Supervisor
Training and Project Management training. Our aim
is to offer continuous training and development
to all our staff, thus helping develop future
managers and leaders develop from within. There
are opportunities in both operational as well as
functional support areas of our business –
commercial, finance, HSQE and HR etc. for those
wishing to follow a different path. Whatever their
aim, the apprenticeship program will stand them
in good stead wherever they end up in our global
organization”.
the most of the chance to prove their worth. From the
first batch of candidates, one recurring story about
job seeking experiences kept coming back... it was one
of multiple applications and no opportunities. All of
this made selection of the right candidates for the
programme a very difficult task, because it would have
been good to have been able to give them all a chance.
While the company’s demographic is ageing, Applus
RTD has quickly recognized the value of investing in
talent for the future as being a key business decision.
As a global operator, there are opportunities springing
up all over the world so it is vital to invest in bringing
fresh talent into the company... and retaining it. The
philosophy of ‘grow your own talent’ seems to be a
good one, if initial experiences are correct, and Applus
RTD has now made a commitment to go further with
this scheme in partnership with ECITB. They are
highly supportive and flexible in their approach to the
company’s training requirements. As such, it has been
decided to commit a significant investment in the
apprenticeship program, as for Applus RTD it is an
investment in the future.
Looking ahead, a further 20 apprentices have now been
recruited. They are currently undertaking their off-
the-job training and will be on-site next summer. They
will subsequently be deployed at sites across the UK,
including some time working with colleagues on the
Spools Base in Invergordon. There will also be a
rotation for those who see their challenges as lying
further afield, in Stavanger, Norway for 3 months
during years 3 and 4. Further opportunities for formal
study with a Foundation Degree in NDT, leading to a
BSc, and for those wishing to progress further an MSc,
are also available through distance learning.
Keeping
ahead in
a changing
world
In today’s NDT industry, committing to continuous
development is a must for an organization to stay
ahead of its competitors... and not just in terms of
the newest technologies. No less important is the
development of a company’s own people. That is why
the Applus RTD Training & Education department in
The Netherlands, keeps looking for new approaches
for its courses and training packages, in order to
keep up with ever changing market needs.
A new program. A new approach
To meet the ever changing needs of today’s volatile
NDT market, a new program has been developed that
provides course participants with more background
information on the materials they are inspecting.
In turn, this will ensure that the course participant
acquires more in-depth knowledge, and thus gain more
professionalism in the work that they perform. The
new program comprises three distinct elements (or
modules) which can be seen either as three separate
entities, or as a part of a single complete approach.
The modules are: Practical Materials Science (3 days),
Hardness Measurements (1 day) and P(A)MI (1 day).
Practical Materials Science
The first course lasting three days, involves in-depth
studies into material behaviour. It provides practical
and theoretical information about different materials,
and about the way certain in-use applications can
influence their behaviour and quality. The possible
defects, and how they can be traced using NDT&I
techniques, also plays an important part in the course.
Eventually, the prupose of this course is that the
participant will be able to establish why defects have
occurred and how they can detect them. Subjects
covered in this course include: material composition,
reprocessing of metals, production errors, processing
errors, and faults during operational usage (such as
corrosion).
Hardness Measurements
Hardness Measurements of materials is an important
test, as this relates to their strength properties.
The one-day course involves the participant acquiring
mainly practical knowledge about material hardness
and its measurement using a variety of mobile
devices. The aim is to teach the participant how to
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carry out independent measurements using mobile
devices. The following aspects are covered in this
module: Introduction to material hardness and
external influences, a history about the different
types of hardness measurements, and different
types of mobile hardness meters. The course also
gives practical information about carrying out
measurements in the field, the preparation of
samples to be measured, calibration and verification,
measuring techniques, frequently made mistakes,
etching, and reliability and accuracy. Reporting and
practical examples are also included in the course.
P(A)MI
The course Positive (Alloy) Material Identification
puts the participant in touch with the theoretical
knowledge and practical skills needed to carry out
material identification using P(A)MI equipment.
The aim of the course is to introduce the particpant
Adding value to client support
The five-day course module provides particpants
with the opportunity to obtain the greater
theoretical and practical levels of knowledge that
will benefit them in their day-to-day work. In the
courses close attention is paid to the application
of techniques and materials so that clients can
ultimately be better supported. The new courses
bring high levels of added value to Applus RTD.
For more information you can contact the
Training & Education department on:
17I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2
to the use of the equipment, and to carry out an
effective inspection on a variety of materials and welds.
The one-day course involves radiation of the equipment,
atomic structure and the periodic table, x-ray
diffraction, the limitations of a P(A)MI inspection, the
theory of measurement, norms and references,
reporting and practical measurement.
The Applus RTD Training & Education department in The Netherlands keeps looking for new approaches for its courses
and training packages.
At the end of 2011, Applus RTD acquired Kiefner &
Associates Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, USA. This important
new addition to the Applus RTD global operation paves
the way for new opportunities and business potential,
because while Kiefner does not primarily carry out
NDT operations, their services are closely connected
A complementary
acquisition
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to inspections carried out on pipelines. These include
In-Line Inspections, or those made from the inside of
a pipe, inspections made from outside the pipe (the
Applus RTD Pipeline Integrity suite of field services
plus weld girth inspections), and inspections made from
above the pipe (over the ground surveys).
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2
A key new member of the worldwide
Applus RTD organization, Kiefner services
incorporate a varity of aspects in Fitness
For Service (FFS) assessments, failure
investigations, external loading and In-Line
Inspection qualification.
First diagnose the problem. Then treat it
For its standard operations, Kiefner is contracted
by a client (often one also working with Applus RTD)
to determine the fitness of a pipeline for continued
service. This can be based on measurement data
provided by Applus RTD together with other pipeline
data. In recent months, two PIT inspection projects
have been contracted which involve Fitness For
Service (FFS) analyses. This synergy reinforces the
vision that a strong engineering services component
is required, thereby adding to client satisfaction and
value. Through its ability to analyze and explain to a
facility, the meaning of inspection results in terms of
structural integrity, fitness for service, reassessment
intervals, repair options and regulatory compliance,
Kiefner’s expertise clearly also adds value to Applus
RTD’s operations. In simple terms, Kiefner provides the
diagnosis and Applus RTD the treatment!
Independent and unbiased reporting
The provision of expert opinion which is linked to
independent, unbiased analyses of data, plus technically
justified conclusions regarding pipeline assets’
current and future performance, is a recognized and
valuable characteristic of Kiefner’s operation. While
independence is vital to the continued development of
its business however, Kiefner can acknowledge many
instances where an integrated NDT and engineering
service is beneficial. Within the framework of the new
alliance between Kiefner and Applus RTD there will be a
commitment to fully develop any poential opportunities
in this area.
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An integrated service
Based on the NDT inspection performed, new pipeline
construction often needs Engineering Critical
Assessment (ECA) for judging the quality of each weld.
The new business partnership optimizes opportunities
in this area, and the first such ECA project which is
currently near completion highlights the value
of offering combined services and strengths to
the industry.
In addition to pipeline integrity work as a follow-up to
field inspections, Kiefner has also performed a variety
of other expert technical services primarily for oil and
gas pipelines. Pipeline failure investigations for
example, are handled at its dedicated 8,000 square
foot materials test facility. Other services include
stress analyses of pipelines under complex loading
environments such as soil movement or live loads (like
heavy vehicles or blasting), and various types of flaw
and defect assessments for conditions like fatigue or
stress-corrosion cracking. Kiefner is also recognized
for its major contributions to research into pipeline
safety, reliabilty, failure mechanisms and integrity
management subjects through industry funded
organizations like PRCI, ASME, API, INGAA, and GTI.
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The Applus RTD Danish office is working together with
the Dutch construction company Visser & Smit Hanab
on a Danish 30” pipeline project that is 100 kilometers
long!
Under the leadership of Trudo Vreenegoor, Project
Manager for the Business Unit Area International,
the project is being carried out for a Danish energy
provider, and involves a new pipeline which is being laid
next to an existing one. For this project, the Applus RTD
International team is working closely together with the
Full speed ahead in the
Danish market
company’s Danish colleagues, and complying with the
client’s request for pipeline inspection using Rotoscan
and RT crawlers. For the Danish team however, it is
a particularly challenging operation as they had not
worked with Rotoscan or Ultrasonic testing techniques
before.
Addressing problems like this is ‘all in a day’s work’ for
Applus RTD. So a delegation from the Danish energy
company, Danish NDT specialists contracted in by the
owner, employees of Visser & Smit Hanab, plus a number
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 21
of Applus RTD colleagues from Rotterdam (together, a
group of 15 people) visited the Applus RTD premises in
Rotterdam where they learned everything they needed
to know about Rayscan and Rotoscan.
Big 4x4 trucks deliver the solution
To manage the project in the most efficient way, two
giant trucks were hired in Germany. They were previously
military vehicles. Onto these a special cabin was built,
along with all the essential installations. Once complete,
the trucks were ready to roll!
Finding the ideal trucks in fact, was harder than might
be imagined. The project involved continuous working on
60 to 70 welds per day, and the first welds needed 200%
inspection using both Rotoscan and RT. To make things
From left to right: Reinout v/d Veen, Flip Smit, Henri Dorré, Marco Zalm and Rico de Gier
easier, the cabin was installed like a mobile office, with
a window to help ease communications. Not the sort of
configuration that something like a Landcruiser would
be suited for! In Denmark, it is also important to have a
reliable 4 x 4 vehicle so that the specialists could keep
on the move, even after the wet season has arrived.
One of the trucks was designed to follow the main
pipeline and the other was for repairs and tie-in (jointing
points) for feedback. In this way it is possible to minimize
the need for repairs, which is always attractive for the
contractors involved.
The contract is projected to last until October or
November this year.
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Under the banner of the theme ‘Operational Excellence’,
the beginning of 2012 saw the start of a pilot scheme in
the Western Europe Region (WEUR). This involved the
use of the Qunitiq planning tool coupled to Applus RTD’s
Axapta facilities. For planners, project leaders and
managers alike, the aim of the scheme was to generate
improvements in efficiency in the way that resources
are used. Following Quintiq’s implementation in regional
offices in The Netherlands and Belgium, a Central
Planning Unit was established in The Netherlands to
optimize utilization of resources, and to create more
operational synergies within the Region.
The challenge of
achieving Operational
Excellence
I m p u l s e - M a y 2 0 1 2 23
Quintiq... making the most of valuable
resources
Particularly in a volatile economic climate such
as today’s, it is vital to optimize resource
usage. By doing so it means on-time and
excellent delivery of services to clients, and a
satisfied workforce, because their activities
are planned well ahead.
Defining Quintiq
Quintiq is a planning tool intended for use in combination
with Axapta. Although the challenge took some time
and a lot of committed effort to implement, Quintiq is
now operational in virtually every regional office. It has
resulted in a lot of change... the program now takes into
account aspects like certification, availability, regions,
teams, client relationships, team locations etc.. Quintiq
can also help planners by determining, using a points
system based on the Axapta database, which resources
are best suited for a particular job. Planners and project
leaders can then plan manpower as well as equipment.
A further advantage with Quintiq is that it is universal,
with the same program being designed for use by the
total Region. So when a regional office cannot find a
solution within its own team, Quintiq enables users to
see if someone is available from another department
who can help. In this process, the Central Planning Unit
also plays a key role.
The task of the Central Planning Unit
The Central Planning Unit operates pro-actively in
the creation of a planning for the Region as a whole.
This involves mediation between teams when individual
resources cannot meet demand, such as when an under-
capacity situation arises with an order. The Central
Planning Unit then seeks resources within the Region
and allocates them where they are needed. The planning
and resource overview of the Quintiq systems makes
this much easier.
In addition to these relatively short term planning issues,
fine tuning of long term planning is also carried out.
The aim is to plan the entire budgeted sales forecast in
Quintiq for each operational team. This means that when
a project is entered into the budget, resources can also
be allocated. Additional analyses are also carried out to
give an optimal insight into the operational planning and
capacity of the particular Region.
Delivering the benefits
Through its flexibility and scope, Quintiq is a very
valuable business tool. It enables all operational
colleagues to be planned in real time for example, so the
resources of each region can be effectively interfaced
with those of others. In this way, short term operational
planning issues are solved, which in turn delivers
significant benefits for long term planning activities.
Once the entire budgeted forecast is planned in
Quintiq, and effectively lies with the operational teams,
management has an accurate overview for capacity
planning. It means aspects like potential shortages of
resources or inefficiencies become visible, enabling
remedial action to be taken. Such actions might include
exchanging resources between teams, hiring a flexible
workforce (which may be from abroad), hiring new
personnel or acquiring new equipment.
The combination of the Central Planning Unit and the
Quintiq planing tool means that Applus RTD has the
resources to enable an optimal balance between sales
forecasts and operations.
To optimally serve our global clients, Applus RTD has
established a network of strategic locations to ensure
that the right help and advice are always available...
when and where you need them.
North & South America
Brazil T +55 71 323 533 32
Canada T +1 780 440 6600
United States of America (North) T +1 517 531 8210 11
United States of America (South) T +1 832 295 5000
United States of America (East) T +1 716 853 2611
United States of America (West) T +1 661 399 8497
Europe
Austria T +43 2622 64014
Belgium T +32 3 666 32 32
Czech Republic T +420 466 530 858
Denmark T +45 7513 0050
France T +33 4 72 50 57 50
Germany T +49 234 927 980
Italy T +39 275 62 72 45
Norway T +47 51 83 92 04
Poland T +48 32 246 47 59
Slovakia T +421 904 244 253
Spain T +34 93 520 2053
Switzerland T +41 61 225 4466
The Netherlands T +31 10 716 60 00
United Kingdom T +44 1324 48 97 85
Middle East
Sultanate of Oman T +971 2 554 2929
United Arab Emirates T +971 2 554 2929
Africa
Libya T +218 214 44 540
Nigeria T +234 803 336 7195
South East Asia & Pacific
Australia T +61 8 9410 9300
Indonesia T +62 21 720 04 67
Japan T +81 6 4861 0700
Singapore T +65 6898 4046
www.ApplusRTD.com
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