Dräger Marine & Offshore, a subsidiary of Dräger, an
international leader in medical and safety technology, is now offering
customers easy access to safer offshore operations after joining forces with
specialist integrated electrical engineering and distribution company Dron
& Dickson.
Dräger Marine & Offshore is collaborating
with Dron & Dickson – specialists in integrated supply, installation and
maintenance of harsh and hazardous area electrical equipment in the UKCS –
meaning the company is now certified to service and maintain its fire and gas
detection products and systems.
Many offshore operators are unaware they
must ensure their equipment is serviced by suitably competent technicians, with
failure to do so resulting in the service being invalidated, potentially
leading to action from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
This partnership – which is understood
to be the first of its kind in the sector – means customers now have easy
access to more fully certified technicians to service and maintain their
essential fire and gas detection systems.
Megan Hine, Account Manager – Fixed Gas
Detection Systems at Dräger, said: “There is often a lack of understanding when
it comes to the level of care and maintenance these systems require, and we
have found on occasion that maintenance has been neglected, leading to systems
not performing as we would like.
“Given Dron & Dickson’s significant
experience in regularly inspecting equipment in line with operators’ inspection
strategies, and the high quality of training required to inspect Dräger gas
detectors, it makes sense to combine the expertise of both organisations.
“Not only does this enhance the offering
from both companies, but it also means we are saving operators time as they
don’t have instrument technicians waiting on scaffolding arriving and being
erected before they can conduct an inspection, regardless of whether it is
planned or not.
“While freeing up core crew time to
carry out other valuable work, having rope access technicians who are Dräger
qualified, offers operators an opportunity to reduce multiple visits to the
same equipment, reducing upfront and ongoing costs.”
As well improving the offer for
operators, Megan believes agreements like this with Dron & Dickson shows
how supply chain companies can work together to the benefit of all.
“This is a no-brainer, and every
operator we have spoken to has said this is what they want,” she said.
“Manufacturers have traditionally held
on to the maintenance of their devices too tightly, so by entering into an
agreement like this, we are improving the overall offering to the marine and
offshore industry.
“We are seeing more and more
organisations collaborate and this is something that is only going to continue
as the industry continues to evolve. Through the Dräger PartnerCare we offer
the correct training and support to give our customers’ engineers the understanding
and confidence required to service our devices, and we are looking forward to
working with Dron & Dickson to develop this further.”
Jim Cooper, Dron & Dickson Technical
and Development Manager, said: “Both companies are acknowledged as market
leaders, and by combining that experience and expertise, it will bring benefits
to customers of both organisations. In addition, this agreement will help our
clients realise tangible technical and commercial benefits by consolidating a
number of specialist services.”
The news comes at an exciting time for
Dräger Marine & Offshore, who recently invested millions of pounds in a new
base at ABZ Business Park in Dyce, which is home to training facilities
including confined space entry and working at height facilities, training
courses including Authorised Gas Tester, BA wearer and maintenance training and
a service and maintenance centre.