News

In the new headquarters, we have a 5 tonne overhead crane that hasn’t had much use. But, as our workload has grown, we think the crane could help optimise the workshop flow.

We wanted to get our workshop based engineers trained up to use the crane safely and efficiently. So we turned to PLT Training Limited to provide us with some accredited Overhead Crane training.

PLT Training Limited is a multi accredited Health & Safety training provider. Based in Wolverhampton, they have been delivering training to the industry since 2000. PLT provide on-site training in the industrial, construction, utilities, port and many more sectors. 

PLT’s course is in two sections, practical and theory.

Theory                               

• HASWA 1974
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• Slinging equipment and defects
• Lifting equipment and defects
• Advanced lifting procedures
• Safe use of D Shackles and Eyebolts
• Safe working loads for Crane and Lifting gear
• Slinging and lifting techniques
• Use of slings and equipment at different angles
• Pre-use checks for crane and lifting gear
• Banksman duties
• Hand signals
• Operator’s safety code

Practical

• Introduction to the crane
• Pre-use checks
• Crane operations
• Basic slinging techniques
• Practice
• Practical assessment

The course was completed over two weeks, with two separate groups.

Our workshop engineers can now operate the Overhead Crane in the safest manner possible.

Thanks to PLT Training for their excellent course and on-site training.

Our director Steve got invited to take part in a BBC radio interview this week to discuss Varlowe Industrial Services.

BBC Radio Wolverhampton aims to provide more localised news. The BBC set it up to provide support through the latest lockdown.

They are helping people to get a better sense of what is happening in the area and help them feel more in touch. They also provide news and promote local businesses.

Mya Khan, the producer of Letitia George’s mid-morning BBC Radio Wolverhampton show, contacted Steve after an interview with his daughter and our Office Manager, Tami.

Tami runs a very successful business selling bespoke strawberry bouquets online. Click here to view Strawberry Treats on Instagram.

What was supposed to be a quick 5-minute chat with Steve quickly turned into a prime segment. The show was impressed with his backstory.

Letitia discussed Steves younger years and how he created Varlowe Industrial Services.

You can listen to Steve’s interview by clicking the link below and scrolling to 1hr 30.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p099c905

Thank you to Mya Khan, Letitia George and the BBC Radio Wolverhampton team for getting in touch and hearing Steve’s story.

After a long, strange year of lockdowns, furloughs and toilet roll shortages, Varlowe’s new home is now complete and in operation. 

The building has been completely remodelled to house our Fabrication workshop and our new CNC department. 

The first floor offices are a modern, comfortable workplace which has room to accommodate new staff as we expand. 

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s been well worth the wait. 

We are really proud of our company and how it has grown over the years. The new building is a reflection of all the hard work that we put into the industry and the services we provide.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved.

The Building Before

Here is what the building looked like when we first got the keys

February

• Knocked through the 1st floor offices
• Removed walls in reception area
• Removed central staircase
• Divided the workshop into two spaces
• Removed old wiring

March & April

• Re-enforce first floor space for new staircase
• Remodelling of various new workspaces
• Start of rewiring
• New low level roof for Cnc workshop
• Start of the installation of new Ac units

May

• Installed new Mezzanine floor on 1st floor for kitchen and extra office space (manufactured and fitted by Varlowe)
• Installed new Mezzanine floor for Fabrication storage area and office space (manufactured and fitted by Varlowe)
• Plaster Office walls
• Paint workshops walls and steel girders

June

• Continuing with low level ceiling for Cnc, wiring and Ac
• New offices for Cnc workshop (Cad and Inspection Rooms)
• New staircase for entry from Fabrication workshop side (manufactured and fitted by Varlowe)

July

• Installation of our signature central staircase in reception area which was developed, manufactured and installed by Varlowe (More of the staircase to follow)
• New ceiling tiles and lights fitted to 1st floor Offices

August

• New signature gates featuring the Varlowe motif installed on both sides of the building. Gates developed, manufactured and installed by Varlowe.
• Car Park space has been freshly re-surfaced

September

• New staircase for entry to the Fabrication storage area and offices fitted (manufactured and fitted by Varlowe)
• Fabrication storage offices finished
• Fabrication workshop electrics finished
• Low level ceiling and electrics finished in Cnc Workshop
• Glass partition for offices overlooking staircase
• Floorboards finished in offices
• New fire doors fitted throughout
• Office kitchen fitted
• Workshop canteen fitted

October & November

• Cladding started on exterior of building
• Handrail and glass fitted to central staircase
• New flooring in Fabrication and Cnc workshops
• Graphics fitted to glass partition in offices

December

• Varlowe Logo fitted to outside of building
• Car park space lines painted
• Office floor tiles laid
• The first two new Cnc machines installed
• Start of the 2 week move of office furniture and workshop equipment

January 2020 – We are in!

We are in and fully operational. More pictures to follow as we settle into our new home.

As we start to wind down in time for Christmas, we have taken the time to reflect on what’s been a very difficult and different year.

Throughout the year our workforce has accepted the new challenges and continued to deliver the high quality service Varlowe prides itself on. For that, we would like to thank each and every member of our team for all their hard work this year. Everybody has played a role and gone above and beyond. Thank you.

We would also like to thank all of our customers this year, new and existing, for trusting us to provide our services during this testing period. From social distancing to hand sanitising, we have worked together to make sure all working areas are safe for everybody. Thank you.

Last but not least, we would also like to thank the NHS and all front line workers who have battled on and kept this country moving. Thank you.

Although times have been tough and we have had to adapt to new ways of working, we have not only continued to go on, but taken steps to develop and expand.

To end the year we are saying goodbye to our current workshop, as when we return in January we will be working from our new, larger and more modern headquarters. This will be the new base of operations, delivering everything you have come to expect from Varlowe, but bigger than ever before.

As we are about to sign off for the year, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Here’s to 2021.

Varlowe Industrial Services.