Stourflex invests in training for future expansion
Stourflex, which specialises in solving problems caused by thermal expansion of pipework, vibration and inefficiencies caused by air and dirt in a system, places great emphasis on the continual development and improvement of employees. The company has long recognised the need to train employees with not only a wide range of job-enhancement programmes such as sales and marketing, accounting, warehouse and distribution but also focuses on the skills that are considered particularly important when providing a pipework flexibility solution.
The needs of the building-services industry are constantly changing, with new projects such as the Shard in London having complex technical requirements. The industry has also seen the introduction of new piping materials such as thin-wall stainless steel and plastic. Such changes provide new and different challenges when solving thermal expansion problems.
Stourflex has for many years had a policy of recruiting junior staff as apprentices and developing them into key personnel.
Managing director Steve Yardley says, ‘The challenges of finding suitable training providers has not been easy. One of the key requirements is that all our engineers have to have a full understanding of the environment in which our products and services operate, and therefore training cannot just be product based.’
The company has used the services of many local colleges, with engineers studying for the HNC in Building Services. Training is also provided by outside providers.
Stourflex has invested in Caesar II stress-analysis software and has engineers who are proficient in the principles and applications for static analysis of piping systems. The Caesar software can provide a wide range of reports to support Stourflex’s expansion design services. Engineers can also deliver a comprehensive range of technical support at all stages of a project.
