Supply chain excellence recognised by EIC

EIC held its 2019 National Awards Dinner on 3 October, with Pipeline Induction Heat (PIH), winning the prestigious EIC Company of the Year Award, in addition to the Diversification Award.

After a reboot of the company’s business model, the Burnley-based pipeline construction services provider successfully implemented a plan to grow exports and diversify its client base and service offering. In a reduced market size, the company retained its number one market position while protecting its core workforce.

Seven other awards based on the eight growth strategies featured in the third edition of EIC’s Survive & Thrive insight report – a study on how businesses have remained competitive and grown in the current challenging economic climate – were also handed out during the black-tie event, attended by just under 300 guests.

The gala evening included after dinner entertainment from TV personality and comedian Dara Ó Briain, best known for his work on Mock the Week and The Apprentice.

The Innovation award was taken home by Hughes Safety Showers, which landed the prize for its innovative cooling technology for emergency safety shower.

The Digital Award, a category launched at last year’s event, was awarded to integrated engineering services company Booth Welsh, which has boosted market differentiation by offering digital-ready products. It also landed the Optimisation Award.

Proserv’s successful strategy of boosting growth through service localisation in the Middle East saw the global firm scoop the Export Award, while Balmoral Offshore Engineering landed the Service and Solutions and Collaboration Awards. The judging panel was impressed by its collaboration and early engagement strategy.

The Technology Award was collected by Stavanger-based Yokogawa TechInvent, which invented a game-changing solution to chemical injection control.

In addition to the company prizes, Brian Geddes, Engineering Manager at infrastructure solutions business px, was presented with the EIC/RGU (Robert Gordon University) Rising Star MBA Award. The initiative is designed to support the development of the future leaders of the oil and gas sector, and recognises the potential and talent of young UK engineers. As part of the prize, Brian won full tuition fees, worth £17,000, for the MBA programme delivered by Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University.

Commenting at the ceremony, Brian said: ‘I am extremely proud to have won this award, being selected from a field of truly excellent nominees. To be recognised by such an eminent organisation as EIC – and by RGU, which was involved in the judging – is a real honour. Earning the opportunity to undertake the MBA is fantastic and sets me up really well both for my future career with px and my ambitions to become a leader in the industry in the years to come.’ Brian has enjoyed great success since joining px just three years ago, securing three promotions to his current position of Engineering Manager. During his time in technical roles,

Brian has used innovative engineering solutions to improve efficiency, safety and the operational performance of the plant. He now heads up a team of around 25 engineers and, from next year, will manage 
a multi-million-pound budget. He has a passion for developing his team and has supported one employee into a graduate apprenticeship scheme. Nominations for next year’s Rising Star Award will be open to all EIC member companies in early 2020. Applicants can be based both in the UK or internationally.