Stork, a global asset integrity management services provider for the Chemical, Oil & Gas and Power industries, announced today that it has acquired substantially all of the assets and existing business of Ultrasound (New Zealand) Ltd, a New Zealand company specializing in non destructive testing (NDT) and inspection services.

The process of using steam turbines to generate electrical energy is complex and has many parameters. Maintaining these systems therefore requires (extensive) knowledge and experience; not only to identify and solve failures, but also to recognize distinct details that relate to the way machines interact and influence each other.

851 days of work came to an end on September 28, 2021 in a ceremony in Aliağa-Turkey where the project completion documents were signed off by Özgür Can Akyüz, SOCAR_Turkey Integrity and Reliability Director, and Roland Dols as Stork Project Manager.

The Krimpenerwaard pumping station, in Lekdijk between Bergambacht and Lekkerkerk in the Netherlands, received a major upgrade in 2020. Stork converted the pumping station and installed an in-house developed BVOP VVT pump turbine. This turbine allows fish to swim through it safely and also generates power.

 

Good preparation of a turnaround is at least half the work when it comes to efficiency. But it seems that in practice, many hours are still lost to waiting, consultations, awkwardly arranged logistical processes or even missing or incorrect tools.

Managing physical assets is about dealing with risks over the lifecycle of assets. However Asset Management is often misunderstood: not realizing that it is also a way of thinking that involves the organization and business as a whole.

What skills are required for technicians when using Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR&VR) applications in maintenance activities in the industry? This is the core question that we try to answer from the WCM Smart Maintenance Skills lab.

The corona crisis shows numerous effects that we can all clearly observe. Companies are completely or partially closed and have reduced their activities. It is unclear how long this will take, but the lockdown will for sure lead to a serious economic downturn.

Selecting the right asset reliability strategy is a question that keeps many of our customers awake at night. Currently, on social media, at conferences, in email marketing, a lot of attention is on the newest technologies like machine learning, predictive analytics and anomaly detection.

Scaffolding has been around forever, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, because people in prehistoric times were already using a scaffold made of bamboo or wood to work at heights. It was only in 1913 that “Scaffixer” was patented; a coupling device that was far more robust than rope.

In a process industry, shutdowns are essential to keep production going. One of our consultants, who specializes in service providing within Stork Asset Management Technology, explains.

In their ambition to create value with their assets, Asset Owners often struggle with managing their critical knowledge. In times of an ageing workforce, (technical) personnel shortage and a fast changing environment this issue is moving more and more towards the strategic Asset Management agenda.