KEEPING THAMES WATER RUNNING

Dowding & Mills Engineering Services has signed a Framework Agreement with Thames Water for the repair of motors, gearboxes and pumps for the entire Thames Water region. In addition to repairs, a key objective of the contract will be to reduce breakdowns by designing out problems..

Dowding & Mills has worked with Thames Water for several years, particularly focusing on motor repairs. The new agreement adds gearboxes and pumps, covering the whole of the Thames Water region. Thames Water has awarded Dowding & Mills the new contract because of its extensive engineering skills base and its ability to provide a 24-hour service from local branches, which are all within an hour of Thames Water's major sites.

Rob Butler, maintenance consultant for Thames Water said: "The water industry is having to work harder than ever to deliver a high quality product to customers as cost effectively as possible. Today we need to get the maximum out of equipment, so the quality of the repair work is critical for the maintenance of productivity. More importantly this new agreement has a preventative element so problems are designed out in the long term allowing Thames Water to meet and exceed the challenges it faces."

Dowding & Mills has many years experience in providing repair and maintenance services and is able, because of its coverage and expertise, to provide a fast turnaround. The company aims to provide a total solution, by offering the most cost-effective way of overcoming the problem and ensuring that the repair fits both immediate and long term needs. To minimise costly downtime and disruption, sites will also get a 'round the clock' service.

Dowding & Mills' key workshops involved in the agreement were inspected and vetted by Thames Water. The contract will be co-ordinated by Dowding & Mills London branch, but Hemmel Hempstead, Chessington, Southampton, Bristol and Ashford will also be involved in covering the Thames Water area.

Dowding & Mills engineers will work with Thames Water personnel to monitor and run its plant and this process will mean Dowding & Mills can help Thames Water develop a strategy which reduces breakdowns by designing out problems as they are encountered. The Group's Engineering Support Team and specialist product managers will provide support in this area.

Stuart Walden, regional director Dowding & Mills Engineering Services: "Thames Water wanted suppliers who could meet this requirement and I believe this also confirms that a comprehensive service can only be achieved with comprehensive facilities. Companies can really benefit from ensuring their contractors have conveniently located branches to minimise travel time. They should also expect repairers to have suitable in-house equipment to enable work to be done out of hours, all of which adds to the quality and reliability of the overall service. Our in-house engineering design skills and the years of working experience on this type of equipment will allow us to solve problems rather then just carry out repairs, when something breaks down."

Walden continues: "Nothing beats knowing how and where to get expert maintenance. But the best form of repair, of course, is to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place, which is what Thames Water want. Where repairs are concerned, customers should look to incorporate modifications, where possible, to improve the design of equipment and prevent reoccurrence of the problem."