assetlifet h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e t t e r o f E P M s o l u t i o n s L t d

W I N T E R 2 0 0 7

EPM is 5 years oldA lot can happen in 5

years as we demonstrate in this article

Asset MistressA question to the Mistress

reveals a 5s solution

Maintec 2007News on our plans to

exhibit at this years show

Energy management5 E X A M P L E S O F P O T E N T I A L S U S TA I N A B L E E N E R G Y S O U R C E S F O R T H E F U T U R E

It is fast becoming a hard to ignore worldwide issue - providing a sustainable energy supply is critical to modern society. Alarmingly, 70 per cent of global emissions come from the

way we produce energy. It is a long-term concern, and the UK Government has the task of ensuring an affordable and reliable energy supply whilst making signifi cant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

The Government’s report on the Energy Review ‘The Energy Challenge’ which was released on 11 July 2006 explains that although the UK is in fact only responsible for 2 per cent of global carbon emissions, it is essential that it continues to give a lead internationally, and attempts to infl uence international frameworks. If economist Sir Nicholas Stern’s claim that we have about 10 years to take action to prevent the worst of climate change is to have any impact, it is paramount that initiatives are launched to address the fact that current energy sources are diminishing at an alarming rate. New and innovative sources need to be developed – fast. Nuclear and coal stations are subject to closures over the coming two decades and, at present, it is estimated that the UK will become increasingly reliant on gas as an energy source.

Renewable energy sources are one way in which it has been suggested the problem could be partially resolved. Five main types of renewable energy:1) Solar power2) Wind power3) Hydro power4) Geothermal power5) Biomass (plant products or animal waste)

However, these alternative energy sources will not be enough to combat the problem. Improved energy effi ciencies need to be tackled on an industrial basis in order to make a noticeable difference. Whatever the future brings one thing is clear - we will need to improve our energy management in order to reduce the environmental impact and conserve the increasingly limited sources of supply. For more information on how EPM can assist your business in with its energy management policy please call 0141 848 6609.

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EPM reaches its 5th yearI T ’ S H A R D T O B E L I E V E E P M I S 5 I N F E B R U A R Y - S O M U C H H A S H A P P E N E D !

ROCCO win again!

asset management | engineering | project management

For the second year running, EPM Solutions were announced as the winners of the 2006 ROCCO award for ‘Most Outstanding Business in Renfrewshire’ (for a company with

less than 50 employees). The company saw off stiff competition in their category from Kidds Distribution and Colloquium.

The prestigious awards ceremony, run by the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce to recognise exceptional achievements in business, took place at the Cosmopolitan Normandy Hotel in Renfrewshire on Friday 10th November and was attended by over 500 business leaders. For EPM to record a second consecutive win in this category is a huge accomplishment and is testimony to the hard work and effort put in by the team. The 2007 awards promise to provide an even tougher challenge but EPM will now be eager to secure a hat trick of wins.

For more information visit www.roccoawards.co.uk From left to right Jackie Green, Gary Kerr and Fred McCauley.

It was February 2002 when Gary Kerr fi rst had the idea to create EPM Solutions. Following some intense market research activity Gary concluded there was a gap in the market for an asset

management company with an engineering emphasis. The vision was to create a company that could relate to the customer at their level with an understanding of their issues from an engineering perspective. The research carried out at the time also showed that many companies were not managing their assets in the

way they would like because of internal resource restrictions. EPM was developed to fulfi l this need as an outsourced partner. With customers that include BP, Rolls Royce, Diageo and the Scottish Parliament, EPM Solutions has developed quickly over the 5 year period. Other developments include the addition of Project Management as a key service, which is already well established. Clearly, a lot has happened in a short space of time as the brief summary below shows.

EPMʼs evolving corporate identity

- Started trading- Open in Paisley- First order (BUE North Sea)- First member of staff

- Win Rolls Royce contract- BP Pilot study at Inverness- Join Chamber of Commerce- Expand engineering team

- Relocate to bigger offi ces- Win UK contract for BP - Develop ATEX compliance methodology- New customers (industrial & hazardous environment)

- Complete Rolls Royce relocation project- Win ROCCO award- EPM into Europe- Oil depot redevelopment project- Develop strategic marketing plan - focus, focus, focus...

- Announce strategic alliance partnerships,- Expand projects team- Exhibit at MAINTEC...and much more in the pipeline (watch this space!)

Timeline of events

- Move offi ce to Abbey Mill (bigger again)- Win 2nd ROCCO Award- New corporate ID- Exhibit at MAINTEC for fi rst time- ISO9000 Certifi cation- Expand (IT, team and customers)

how to cover

your ASSe ts

Y O U R A S S E T Q U E S T I O N S A N S W E R E D

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Wonderwall is a big hit C L I E N T S , S TA K E H O L D E R S A N D PA R T N E R S U N I T E O N T H E E P M W O N D E R WA L L

www.epmsolutions.co.uk

The latest project to be undertaken in terms of corporate branding at EPM is the unveiling of a new logo wall at the head office in Paisley. The logo wall features the company logos and accompanying imagery of all of EPM’s clients, stakeholders and partners. Each logo fills an A3 area in a brick-style effect and the result is an imposing testament to the distance that the company has travelled since it was formed five years ago. The wall will also act as a focal point for visitors, and serve the purpose of enhancing the aesthetics of the office.

The client base has grown significantly since the company was set up, and now includes such well known companies as BP Logistics, The Scottish Parliament, Rolls Royce and Diageo. Relationships have, since the outset, been central to the way business is conducted at EPM, which is why the wall includes suppliers, partners and stakeholders as well as customers.

Let’s hope that if your logo is not already included on the wall it will be soon - there is plenty of space for yet more bricks!

We were recently asked by an Engineering Manager how to organise and rationalise their stores environment, which they felt was in disarray. We recommended the following 5S solution:

1. Sort (Seiri) - The objective of ‘sort’ is to get rid of unwanted items by focusing on the core items needed to fulfil the requirements of the job. For example this could mean the elimination of excess inventory affecting warehouse space and redundant parts.2. Straighten (Seiton) - ‘Straighten’ focuses on efficiency, with the main objective being how quickly you can get your hands on the things needed, and how those items can be put away. 3. Shine (Seiso) - The objective of ‘shine’ is to identify abnormalities and areas for improvement. This is achieved through a combination of cleaning the workplace, and focusing on the identification of out of control conditions.4. Standardise (Seiketsu) - The objective of standardisation is to consolidate the first 3 S’s by establishing standard procedures. This activity is carried out to determine the best working practices, and to ensure everyone carries out individual activities using the same process.5. Sustain (Shitsuke)To sustain improvements there needs to be a strict adherence to the current advances as well as the creation of an environment that encourages further progress.

Staff SpotlightS T E WA R T S M I T H

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Place of birthHalifaxPosition held at workProject EngineerInterestsFishing and ComputingFavourite foodIndian CurryFavourite music and artistRock and Dire StraitsFavourite TV programmeSoap operas because I get peace and quiet when they’re on!Favourite movieStar WarsFavourite place visitedZakinthos, Greece

This issue sees the spotlight cast upon on relative newcomer Stewart Smith. He would love to lift the World Cup at Wembley, but would settle for a little bit of peace and quiet on a Greek island instead!

Favourite actorTom HanksIf you were not at EPM , what would you like to be doing?Fishing in the Ionian SeaIf you could trade places withanyone for a day, who would it be and why?Hard question - probably someone like Bobby Moore just to experience the ultimate achievementOne thing that nobody knows about youThen there would be no secrets!What would you do if you won the lottery?Buy a small fishing boat and live in ZakinthosIf you could change one thing in the world what would it be?That’s easy - religious hatred What do you enjoy most about working at EPM?It’s a constant challenge and I’m always on a learning curve

For the second year running EPM will be exhibiting at MAINTEC, the UK’s premier exhibition for maintenance and asset management. Last year the

event was attended by over 2,000 engineering decision makers and the 2007 show, which runs from March 20th - 22nd at the NEC Birmingham, promises to draw similar numbers. As a result of last year’s show, Tesco, Glaxo SmithKline and Alstom all registered interest with EPM, and it is hoped that similar successes will be recorded this year. At the 2007 event EPM will be looking to forge strategic alliances with key software developers as well as developing new customers.

At the show EPM will showcase its asset management services including asset registers, strategy and CMMS implementation. To complement EPM’s services there will be a number of software companies exhibiting at MAINTEC such as Shire Systems and Real Asset Management.

To pre-register as a visitor to the exhibition and gain a fast-track entry badge please log on to www.maintec.co.uk. EPM Solutions will be located at stand C36.

© 2007 EPM Solutions Ltd. EPM Solutions endeavours to ensure that the information in assetlife is up to date and accurate. However, where concerned you are advised to consult with the appropriate bodies for further details. Designed & published by the marketing cafe T. 0141 644 1777

EPM Solutions Ltd. Abbey Mill, 1010-1012 Mile End, Seedhill, Paisley, PA1 1TJ.T. 0141 848 6609 F. 0141 848 7749 E. info@epmsolutions.co.uk www.epmsolutions.co.uk

MAINTEC take two