Hi-Line Welcomes Three Employees Soon After Being Granted The Prestigious SafeContractor Award

10 Sep 2019

Download PDF version

Hi-line Industries, a UK supplier to the compressed air sector, has welcomed three new employees to its ranks. Reflecting the company’s ongoing success and growth, Stephen Martin joins as Sales Director, Matt Johnson takes up the title of Project Engineer while Brad Beesley arrives as Internal Sales Co-ordinator. The news comes in the same week as Hi-line celebrates its latest safety award: the company has been granted the prestigious SafeContractor accreditation by Alcumus.

The upward trajectory of Hi-line Industries Ltd has been noted across the sector. The company moved into a new, much larger production facility last year in order to meet growing demand for its range of highly efficient compressed air purification equipment. Hi-line is acknowledged as Britain’s largest stockist of a broad range of air treatment ancillaries, and the largest supplier of refrigeration air dryers.

At a time when the company continues to grow year-on-year, recording a record turnover for its most recent financial year, the company decided to further extend its strength in sales by appointing Stephen Martin as Sales Director, a move that Hi-line hopes will capture even more market share for the business.

Wide and varied client base

Tasked with looking after Hi-line's interests throughout the UK, Stephen is keen to meet the wide client base"

Stephen has a wealth of experience within the compressed air and dehydration market having worked in the industry for over 30 years. He stared his career in compressor distribution and filtration, running his own compressor agency, before selling to join SPXFLOW, where he spent 23 years supporting the company’s dehydration distributor and direct project business.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunities that my new role will provide,” says Stephen.“I’ve been tasked with looking after Hi-line's interests throughout the UK and I’m keen to meet our wide and varied client base over the coming months.”

Also joining the Hi-line team is Matthew Johnson, who becomes Project Manager. Matthew started his career in the Royal Navy before moving into construction and engineering. He commenced an adult apprenticeship, aged 21, in electrical maintenance engineering before going on to study a HNC and HND in mechanical engineering at Sheffield Hallam University. Following six years as a maintenance engineer Matthew decided to move into a more managerial role and spent the past two years as a project engineer at a maltsters in Burton upon Trent, where he handled and delivered multiple capex projects varying in cost and size.

No margin for error

The SafeContractor accreditation builds on the Hi-line ethos of safety first

“I’m a firm believer in the work hard, play hard ethic, and I come to Hi-line Industries with the same drive and ambition as I did when I began my career,” says Matthew. “I know I have the passion and determination to make an impact.”

Having worked in the ink industry for five years, Brad worked his way through the ranks from Warehouse Operative to Account Sales Manager, and joins Hi-line as Internal Sales Co-ordinator. “I am looking forward to building strong relationships with new and existing customers in my new role.” says Brad. “I understand the importance of meeting customers’ needs and will go the extra mile to ensure I do that”.

Arriving at the same time as its new recruits, the SafeContractor accreditation builds on the Hi-line ethos of safety first. After all, when it comes to the manufacture, installation and maintenance of pressurised systems, there is no margin for error. Awarded in July 2019, SafeContractor is latest endorsement of Hi-line’s comprehensive safety standards.

Download PDF version

Related companies
Hi-Line Industries

View all news from
Hi-Line Industries

In case you missed it

COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupts Trade Show Schedule In Fire Industry

Among other impacts on the fire industry, the COVID-19 global pandemic has played havoc with the industry’s trade show schedule, with some major events canceled and other delayed. There are still several events planned for later in 2020 – fingers crossed! After canceling the FDIC International show in Indianapolis in April, Clarion Events is planning a new event, the United Fire Conference, September 22-24, at the Indiana Convention Center. The ‘fully immersive’ event will bring the international fire community together to discuss key themes around timely and mission-critical topics, including pandemics, infection control, hazards in blended missions, and preparing for the future. Extensive outreach and conversations “During the FDIC team’s extensive outreach and conversations with the fire service, there was an overwhelming desire expressed by firefighters to come together in the fall to celebrate the unity of the fire service, learn and support ongoing efforts in serving their communities and continue training,” according to a statement from Clarion Events. “At this point it is nearly impossible to predict the status of the pandemic in September; however, we are currently proceeding with plans for the conference,” says Clarion Events. In any case, FDIC International 2021 is still being planned April 19-24, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Utmost concern for wellbeing We have been listening to our stakeholders, some of whom asked us to not hold the event" Also cancelled was the NFPA Conference & Expo in June 2020 in Orlando. “We have been listening to our stakeholders, some of whom asked us to not hold the event and other who encouraged us to move forward.” However, after “Great thought and with the utmost concern for everyone’s wellbeing,” the event was cancelled. Some NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) activities that occur during the event, such as the Association’s Annual Meeting, Election of directors to the board, and the Codes and Standards Technical Meeting, are being facilitated remotely. The 2021 NFPA Conference and Expo will be June 22-25, 2021, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, marking the 125th anniversary of the Association. Well attended event Firehouse Expo, managed by Endeavor Business Media, will be October 30-November 1 at Music City Center, Nashville, Tenn. (delayed from July dates). “We are confident that the October dates will result in a stronger, safer and more well attended event where the fire community can come together to train, learn and rebuilt,” says Peter Matthews, Firehouse Expo Conference Director. The INTERSCHUTZ international fire show in Hanover, Germany (which takes place every five years), has been delayed one year and will be June 14-19, 2021 (delayed from June 2020 dates). More than 150,000 visitors from all over the world attend the show. The show organizers state: “The coronavirus directly affects both exhibitors and visitors to INTERSHUTZ and requires them to be available for duty at other locations.” Providing education resources Fire Rescue International (FRI), planned for August 19-21 in Phoenix, Arizona, is going virtual. The virtual experience will provide education resources on timely issues and the insights needed to keep communities safe. Another industry show planned for later in the year: INTERSCHUTZ USA, launched for the first time, is still planned for October 13-17 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia.

Why Fire Safety Must Be A Priority When Reopening Businesses

With many businesses and facilities re-opening sites following the Coronavirus lockdown, fire safety may not seem high on the list to other worries and responsibilities. But here, Mandy Bowden, Fire Business Development Manager at Comelit Group UK, led by fire industry bodies, demonstrates why it must be a priority, ensuring installation of systems is guided by best practice in accordance with the development, and fire safety measures are maintained and regularly tested to ensure compliance. Fire safety is too often neglected. And in the midst of returning to work and implementing necessary fever screening solutions and social distancing policies, it may even fall further down the necessary requirements, for businesses who are naturally eager to open and ‘get going.’ Providing Fire Safety But the Government and leading authoritative fire industry bodies have made it absolutely clear that, “Coronavirus is not an excuse for disregarding your responsibilities and businesses must ensure that they have an adequate amount of competent people to help in the implementation of both preventative and protective fire safety measures.” Above all else, fire detection is there to save lives; but the way in which systems are presented, will depend on their surroundings. For many facilities it involves more than the best choice of products and services. It also requires compliance to standards, currently changing in light of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and a need to consider the environment that it serves to keep safe. fire detection technology It is crucial that buildings are fitted with the highest quality life safety systems to ensure ultra-reliable protection Style of a fire detection system would be considered a priority for a hospitality environment, including hotel and restaurant facilities, to blend with the aesthetics and not impact on the ambience created. In any leisure facilities such as a Gym, it is essential fire detection measures and systems are in place that will provide customers, employees and the premises itself, with sufficient prevention against fire at all times. To keep up with demand, a system needs to be simple to install and operational as quickly as possible for the benefit of members and staff. However, a manufacturing vicinity will require latest fire detection technology to ensure the safety of its building, its specialist products and all personnel who operate on site. Similarly, an art studio is a specialist consideration when it comes to fire safety, especially with the use of different materials and substances in every day works by the artists on site. ensure ultra-Reliable protection Both temporary and permanent healthcare facilities in this period have undoubtedly been key to fighting the Coronavirus pandemic, and experienced an expediential increased demand for patient care. With more people to treat and protect, those working or residing within these spaces have to be considered at greater risk in the event of a fire emergency. It is crucial that these buildings have been and continue to be fitted with the highest quality life safety systems to ensure ultra-reliable protection. And the same is true for care homes, a vulnerable group in the fight against coronavirus. They require critical and reliable, functioning fire detection equipment that presents high performance protection, avoiding false alarms to prevent moving elderly residents unnecessarily. In each of these scenarios, the need to act quickly is paramount. Fire Detection Operations Fire safety must be kept a priority to ensure a return to work can occur seamlessly and successfully In healthcare, immediacy is a common theme through the industry, be it providing treatment or responding to a patient’s symptoms. This is no different in fire safety, with detection systems requiring an ease of use, by anyone operating on site. In businesses returning to work ‘post-lockdown’ the appointed Fire Marshalls and responsible persons may not be the ones returning to office locations, so others need to be trained with simple to operate solutions. In summary, fire safety must be kept a priority, arguably now more than ever to ensure a return to work can occur seamlessly and successfully, and with an obligation of care to workers coming back to operating establishments. By understanding these environments and choosing systems accordingly, duty holders can ensure they reduce risks across their premises and maintain a safe ‘new normal’. multi-Sensor detectors Comelit presents its FIA accredited family of ATENA and ERACLE fire detection and fire alarm systems, which offers a diverse portfolio of intelligent, addressable products that are feature-rich, easy to install, simple to operate and offer incomparable reliability. Tested to rigorous standards, the range encompasses smoke, heat and multi-sensor detectors as well as IP rated devices including sounders and callpoints, alongside accessories to complete installations. To support the installer, we have product specific basic and advanced commissioning training courses, together with a full suite of calculation tools for our ATENA addressable systems for both loop loading and battery standby calculations, helping to identify possible issues prior to installation. All signs that we want to work in partnership with our customers to ensure manufacture, design and install of stylish (often bespoke) fire detection systems are a smooth operation for the benefit and peace of mind of businesses and facilities across the UK.

International Association Of Fire Chiefs Asks For Exception To Enable Volunteer Fire Departments To Receive EIDL Funds

Volunteer fire departments are ineligible to obtain funds from the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program because of their dependence on bingo games and raffles for fundraising. With the COVID-19 crisis destroying the ability of volunteer departments to raise funds, access to the EIDL program could provide needed assistance during a time of economic crisis. Under current rules, the assistance is unavailable. Economic Injury Disaster Loans program As the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) implements the EIDL program to support private entities reeling from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government agency has deemed that entities (such as volunteer fire departments) are ineligible for assistance if they receive more than one-third of their revenue from legal gaming, which the Internal Revenue Service interprets to include bingo games and raffles. “While this determination may not have been intended to preclude volunteer fire departments from receiving this critical assistance, many of the most acutely impacted private non-profit fire departments are unable to request the assistance that they desperately need,” according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Financial funding for private non-profit fire departments In a letter, the IAFC has urged the SBA to adjust the EIDL assistance program in order to provide greater financial assistance to private non-profit fire departments. In effect, the association of fire chiefs is asking the agency to exempt volunteer fire departments, recognized under Section 501(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), from the limit on legal gaming revenue. “The unprecedented economic downturn and stay-at-home orders have decimated the ability of these agencies to meet their fundraising needs,” said the letter, adding “The IAFC urges the [SBA] to waive this requirement and support private nonprofit fire departments in their work to answer calls for emergency service.” Over-reliance on volunteer personnel According to the USFA, 70% of U.S. fire departments rely solely on volunteer personnel to respond to emergencies According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), 70% of U.S. fire departments rely solely on volunteer personnel to respond to emergencies. Located in rural communities with limited tax bases, these agencies rely upon community support to sustain their operations. The EIDL program is a mechanism to support private entities staggering from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In late April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published an interim rule to waive the cap on legal gaming revenues for public entities seeking assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program. However, this change does not impact fire departments that utilize volunteers and own their property outright. Economic Injury Disaster Loan facility “The IAFC fears that these private non-profit fire departments may be unable to maintain their emergency response operations if a similar exemption is not also made for the EIDL program,” the letter further adds. In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners and organizations in all U.S. States, Washington D.C., and overseas US territories are able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to US$ 10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.

Hi-Line Welcomes Three Employees Soon After Being Granted The Prestigious SafeContractor Award

Wide and varied client base

No margin for error

Related videos

In case you missed it