Tinsley Bridge Group was delighted to be amongst the victors at the city’s annual Business Awards, winning the Wake Smith Excellence in Manufacturing Award, in a year of record entrants. Comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw hosted the glittering awards ceremony on behalf of Sheffield’s Chamber of Commerce. Over 1,000 people from all sectors of the business community gathered at Ponds Forge International Sports to celebrate the region’s achievements.

Mark Webber, Managing Director, of Tinsley Bridge Group, said: “Manufacturing is the backbone of Sheffield’s heritage. For an independent manufacturing company like ours that has experienced the highs and lows of this industry for over a century, we are immensely proud to be recognised in this way. This award is recognition for the amazing team we have from the shop floor to the boardroom who have worked hard to help us grow, develop and adapt.

“The Award assesses excellence in product innovation, manufacturing efficiency and people investment. Tinsley Bridge-owned Tyzack Machine Knives has also been commended for its contribution to the clean-up operation following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Group’s vehicle suspension division worked with the Ministry of Defence, along with its prime contractor BAE Systems, to develop a suspension upgrade to the British Army Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles currently deployed on the front line in Afghanistan. The improvements to the defence vehicle suspension were completed within a short lead-time and to budget, and have already protected troops from IED strikes in Helmand.”

Wake Smith Excellence in Manufacturing Award

Mark Webber, Managing Director of Tinsley Bridge Group said: “We’ve proved over the years that we have the ability to use innovation to create margin and enter new markets. We are prepared to take risks, invest in technology and back the ideas of our employees.”

The production of blades by the Tyzack Machine Knives arm of the group was a key part of the capping of the Deepwater Horizon oil pipe following the BP oil disaster in 2010, and torsion bars made by Tinsley Bridge using Extralite™ steel, a new high-strength material, were fitted to the British Army Warrior Vehicles currently deployed in Afghanistan.

The judging panel felt that the Group’s products were “integral” in fixing the oil spill, and in its life-saving solution for the military “demonstrates the company’s strength in innovation”.

Whilst the blades capped the pipeline and prevented further billions of pounds worth of damage and environmental effects from taking place, the torsion bars have been helping to save the lives of soldiers from IED attacks.

Previous awards include:
BAE Systems Bronze Chairman’s Award 2010 for the CVR(T) Suspension Upgrade.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. When the rig exploded, the riser pipe connecting the rig to the seabed well head remained attached.

The pipe needed removing as quickly as possible so the well head could be capped, but this required expert machinery as the steel pipe was 350mm in diameter and beneath one mile of
sea water.

It was Tyzack Machine Knives’ technology which was brought in for the job.

Technical director David Owens said: “A piece of equipment called the Genesis XP was used. It’s the most powerful shear cutter in the world and the engineers working in America specified that only Tyzack shear blades are suitable for the extreme cutting the machine is designed to do.”

The Genesis XP, fitted with the Tyzack blades, and a full hydraulic power pack were lowered into the sea. Via an internet video link-up, engineers all over the world were able to watch as the Tyzack blades cut through the pipe and enabled the capping off process to proceed.

David said: “Tyzack Machine Knives is a globally-recognised brand and we’re proud that our expertise was used to bring this disaster under control. We’ve got more than 65 years of experience and plenty of specialist knowledge so we’re glad our skills could be drawn upon to help out during this crisis.”

This has been noted by Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Peter Luff, who has said: “Warrior vehicles are doing a tremendous job in Afghanistan and these numerous improvements are already proving their worth in theatre. This vehicle is extremely versatile, offering good mobility and high levels of protection for its crew. It also allows troops to get out into communities safely, maintain areas and provide reassurance to the local population.”

BAE Systems approached Tinsley Bridge to see if there was a way to develop the vehicle suspension and raise the ride height of the vehicle at its increased protection weight. Limiting vehicle suspension component changes and within a very tight timescale the objective was to maintain mobility whilst significantly reducing the impact of land mines.

In a development project between the two companies, a new high-strength steel, Extralite™, was proposed to replace the standard steel suspension torsion bar. The steel was initially developed by Tinsley Bridge for use in high strength leaf springs where the steel was used mainly in ‘tension’.

Development and testing of the torsion bars was completed in less than 5 months; a time frame which included extensive field trials conducted by the Army. This urgency for the project was dictated by the requirement to improve the mobility of the armoured personnel carriers, as their ongoing deployment necessitated an almost immediate upgrade.

The vehicle now features improved cross-country mobility, ride and handling to work at its best in the challenging Afghan terrain, and the extra height also improves crew protection from mine blast. The Extralite™ steel used is now part of a patent application made by the Group.

The Warrior is a specialist tracked infantry vehicle and so can get to places that wheeled vehicles cannot, enabling the troops to deploy more effectively in difficult terrain.

Image: Trevor Sheehan/BAE Systems

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/the_star_business_awards_2011_a_celebration_of_success_video_1_3839756

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/defence_chief_praises_cutting_edge_city_skills_1_3776854

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/business-news/tinsley_bridge_expertise_all_around_the_globe_1_3568113