WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

Offshore Wind conferenceHe said: “The event was a fantasticopportunity to demonstrate not only thatwhich we have been involved, but alsoto speak to other firms about gettinginvolved in the supply chain.“There are many opportunities whichwill be available to many companies.Success will come not from just doingthings better but generating stepchanges through innovation in ourapproach to solving the industry’schallenges.“We have a commitment to sustainabilityand really feel part of the growing andexpanding renewables industry acrossthe Humber sub-region.“We are very much looking forward tofurther involvement in what will becomea key industry in the future of not justHull, but Yorkshire as a whole.”It is the second time the Offshore Wind:A Guide For Business event has beenstaged in South Yorkshire – with thearea’s strong manufacturing credentialssaid to be crucial to establishing a truecluster of green energy suppliers acrossthe wider region.Reducing costsBut firms have been urged to reducecosts, ensure their workforces are properlyequipped and have the right accreditationsto meet the requirements of renewablesdevelopers.Footprint RenewablesAndrew Morton, Account Directorof green energy marketing companyFootprint Renewables, said: “The industrydemands the highest standards and istruly global in nature.“This means local companies have tocompete with those from overseasand will be under pressure to offeran approach that is innovative and isfocused on cost-reduction, to have achance of entering the supply chain.“Speakers at the conference describedtheir views on this and gave companiesan insight into what capabilities andcapacity they need to be part of theoffshore wind industry.”PresentationsPresentations at the event included anintroduction and industry overview, detailson supply chain-led cost reduction andthe use of technology and innovation tobring costs down.Speakers at the event included...• Sam Pick – Business DevelopmentDirector, Renewables Network• Richard Burgess – Managing Directorof the Spencer Group’s professionalservices division• Andrew Morton – Account Director,Footprint Renewables• Alan McLelland – Chief Executive,National Metals Technology Centre(Namtec)• John Britton – Director, RenewablesNetwork• Alison Bettac – Training Director,AMRC• Jonathan Cohen – Senior Associate,Nabarro LLP• Tim Shaw – Partner, Nabarro LLP• Richard Wright – Executive Director,Sheffield Chamber of Commerce• Joanne Harvey - Manager, Institute ofSupply Chain ManagementAMRC tourDelegates also enjoyed a tour of theAMRC and the newly-developedapprentice and training facilities.Footprint Renewableswww.footprintrenewables.co.ukRenewables Networkwww.renewablesnetwork.co.ukClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk77