A lifting inspection company is investing in automation to help it enhance productivity and meet increased demand for its port services.
Port Engineering Services, which includes almost every UK port, as well as inland container terminals amongst its client list, has worked with software company CoreRFID to develop and tailor the CheckedOK asset management and inspection system to its needs.
”The old system did its job but it was longwinded and becoming outdated. We considered various suppliers but CheckedOK came out on top as it had better usability and was more in line with what we wanted to achieve,” said Martin Pownall, founder of Port Engineering Services, who also acts as an expert witness in accident cases for ports worldwide.
“The system will enable us to increase efficiency and automate reporting. Our engineers get paid to do inspections, not spend time on paperwork. Although we are good at turning around certification quickly, CheckedOK system will do it even faster and without any input from our side.”
Increased efficiency
Mr Pownall said that CheckedOK will save days of time for admin staff and provide a faster service for clients. Currently, it takes six to nine days of staff time each month to collate the lists, but CheckedOK simply puts a cost code alongside each inspection and automates the job.
The new system’s arrival comes at a time when the company is seeing a major increase in its workload since the Covid pandemic due to increased safety inspections at ports.
Based in Boldon Colliery near Newcastle, Port Engineering specialises in inspection, maintenance and repair of cranes and other handling equipment. It also designs and manufactures bespoke port equipment.
