Dockyard magazine picks the brains of Jim Donelan, Business Development Manager for IMES International who offer a comprehensive, independent inspection and testing package for critical mechanical handling assets & lifting equipment.
Welcome to Dockyard Magazine, so first up please introduce yourself…
Hi, my name is Jim Donelan and I’m the Business Development Manager for IMES International based in Portsmouth, with a key focus on promoting the products & services to the Marine, Defence & Industrial sectors throughout the UK & internationally.
Tell me a bit more about IMES International and what you offer your customers?
IMES International have more than 30 years’ experience in the lifting industry with offices in Portsmouth, Plymouth, Sheffield, Rosyth & Aberdeen, all supporting the Oil & Gas, Renewables, Marine & Defence Market sectors.
IMES International offer a number of different services which are all designed to provide our clients with a unique “one-stop” shop for their inspection, monitoring & testing requirements. Our business units offer some of the following; Statutory inspection LOLER & PUWER, NDT, Wire Rope management, Subsea Optical testing, Load monitoring, Measurement and our in-house IMES Engineering consultancy service.
We are continually updating our inspection processes to the latest regulations for IMCA, LOLER & PUWER. As a full member of LEEA, DNV & LLOYDS and with our technical back up teams we can offer our clients a service to keep them compliant with the latest regulations.
How do you go about giving customers peace of mind that you are providing the best service for them?
We have invested heavily in the latest technology as well as our own to ensure that our Engineers and technical staff are fully trained and in line with current regulations. This means that our clients can expect a safe and sustainable service carried out by highly competent personnel.
Our integrated approach captures all statutory requirements and guarantees a professional, flexible and efficient service which allows for changing requirements and eliminates unnecessary onsite time and ad-hoc visits. We have a proactive approach for identifying issues, including, actions categorised by risk, an agreed recovery plan and follow-up arrangements. We also have a robust certification system showing a live summary of compliance, and certification status for each asset, and easily identified ‘at risk’ equipment.
Our track record in this field over the last 30 years includes working with the Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary & Royal Navy Ships, Submarines, Ship Building, Offshore Oil & Gas Installations, Onshore industrial facilities and the Renewables industry.
What differentiates IMES International and makes you stand out from your competition?
What makes IMES stand out from our competition is our independent and unbiased approach which is reinforced through our accreditation with UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) as a Type C Inspection Body to ISO 17020:2012. Key elements of this standard include the competency of inspection personnel as well as the independence and impartiality in delivering inspection work. We are audited annually to ensure ongoing compliance with this standard.
Our BASEEFA Certification means IMES International can manufacture and supply goods which comply with ATEX regulations.
We are also committed to a proactive HSEQ culture and the welfare of our colleagues, contractors and customers. We are continually reviewing our work practices to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
Our HSEQ policies define our commitment to Health and Safety and set the overall framework for good work practice across the entire group.
How is the market place currently and has the looming Brexit had an impact at all?
Working in the environments we do is always challenging and I’m sure Brexit will bring a whole new dimension with a new set of challenges. Hopefully, once we have a better idea of which direction we will be heading with Brexit, we will be able to assess the situation more carefully and be prepared for any obstacles that may come our way.
