June Walker, Dron & Dickson Non-Executive

It's International Women’s Day and today allows us to reflect on how all the women in our lives have inspired, supported or motivated us, making an impact on the person we are today. 

This IWD I am delighted to be working with Dron & Dickson to celebrate all the wonderful ladies in our business. 

It is a well-known fact that leaders set the tone of an organization. That is why I take pride that Colin Rowley and the rest of our leaders strive daily to embrace Diversity, Inclusion and equality in our business. 

I have the pleasure of working with many businesses and I can truly say that D&D is one of the best at encouraging diversity of thoughts and actions, making sure everyone has a voice to bring innovative ideas and solution-based opportunities to every colleague through our annual employee engagement survey and our employee participation group. 

Equality and Inclusion are highly evident in Dron & Dickson too! From our many personal learning and development opportunities to our wonderful new employee benefit scheme, readily demonstrate that everyone is valued and belongs in the D&D family. 

It's refreshing and encouraging to see that within our business it's not just our lovely ladies we celebrate on IWD but everyone who appreciates and embraces Diversity, Inclusion and Equality. 

After all, every women in our life deserves to be celebrated not only on IWD but should be appreciated and valued every day. 

Happy International Women’s Day, Dron & Dickson!

Isla Robb, Dron & Dickson Non-Executive

I have been part of the Dron & Dickson Board for just over a year now. I was brought in to encourage change. Not just moving into new markets but taking on new people. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are not a destination, it’s a way of life. Having a great team throughout the company has meant they are embracing equality. We realise it doesn’t happen overnight, but we are taking action to help. From the Boardroom down we are working to be more diverse and inclusive.

I am passionate about EDI and not accepting things as ‘that’s just the way it is’. Being part of the Dron & Dickson Board has ensured that questions are asked - and answered, about our approach and where activities and actions can be taken to progress.  

Raising awareness of EDI makes us all think about how we approach the way we work and what is expected.  

I’m all for celebrating women that are achieving in the workplace. You have to see it to be it. We work in a male-dominated sector. We want to celebrate differences; we want our people to bring their whole selves to work. Being different should be seen as a good thing.  

Difference is good, difference should be embraced. We are not wanting to reduce the success of some, we want to ensure the equal success of women. We want success for all, we want equal and fair space for all at the table.

Bruce McHattie (Wholesale Director - Dron & Dickson), Colin Fraser (Cable Solutions Worldwide Limited)

Electrical engineering group Dron & Dickson has acquired Inverurie-based firm Cable Solutions Worldwide as part of a seven-figure deal.

As a specialist in cabling supplies, Cable Solutions Worldwide is a major distributor for several globally recognised suppliers and manufacturers.

Aberdeen-based Dron & Dickson said the acquisition – the exact value of which was not disclosed – would enable it to offer a greater range of products and services across the business. It will also further expand the capabilities already offered by its existing strategic locations in Aberdeen, Stirling, Runcorn, Hull and Lowestoft.

Cable Solutions will continue to operate from its 12,500 sq ft warehouse and yard in Inverurie and under its existing trading name. There are not expected to be any redundancies as part of the deal.

It comes as the Aberdeen firm looks to drive growth in its existing sectors and in new markets such as renewables, as it draws on experience in delivering electrical engineered solutions for harsh and hazardous areas.

This will be spurred by the firm’s growing renewable energy team, and its success in becoming FIT4OR accredited.

It also follows a string of recent awards for the delivery of electrical campaign and project services across several locations in the UK, both onshore and offshore.

Dron & Dickson managing director Colin Rowley said the deal would “significantly strengthen” its supply and service portfolio offering.

“As a team, we identified the opportunity to combine the expertise of the two companies and we are incredibly positive about the opportunities this partnership will bring,” he added.

“I want to thank the team at Cable Solutions Worldwide Limited, in particular Colin Fraser, John Rickman, and Graham Ross who have committed to working with us towards our growth strategy in the longer term. They have every reason to be proud of the business they’ve built over the years”.

Cable Solutions MD Colin Fraser added: “After many years, we are delighted that the Cable Solutions Worldwide Limited team will join a company that shares our values and to support further growth from the foundations I and the team have worked hard to establish.

“We are confident this move represents a perfect outcome for both companies, and to use a footballing analogy, I’ve taken the team as far as I can. It’s time for Dron & Dickson to move our business forward to unlock further potential.”

Dron & Dickson have secured a long-term contract for the provision of Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) services with Dana Petroleum. The deal sees the formalisation of a long working relationship between the companies, expanding on the previous services provision to include a number of specialist E&I services across Dana’s UKCS FPSOs.

Dron & Dickson Sales & Marketing Director, Tom Irwin said:

“We are delighted to secure this long-term contract with Dana. This is validation of the investment we have made in adding to our specialist services portfolio. The contract includes provision of Ex inspections and software data management, trace heating design, supply, installation and commissioning, aviation lighting systems, fire and gas detection systems along with other rope access services and minor modifications. Working with Dana is a great example of how we can deliver efficiency gains with our long term clients.”

With five locations strategically positioned throughout the UK, Dron & Dickson deliver a range of specialised engineering and wholesale solutions, offering full life cycle management for E&I equipment in hazardous and marine environments.

Watch the video for an introduction and overview of Dron & Dickson's 5th UK Branch, launched June 2021.

Our Runcorn Branch located in Manor Park is strategically placed to service the Northwest of England supplying hazardous area, industrial and marine grade electrical equipment.

RUNCORN OFFICE

Unit 11 Seymour Court
Manor Park
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1SY

Tel Number: +44 (0)1928 620980

Email: runcornsales@drondickson.co.uk

The UK’s leading hazardous area and industrial materials distributor have expanded their operations in the UK, opening a new premises to service their growing customers in the North West of England.

In addition to branches in Aberdeen, Stirling, Hull and Lowestoft the new location supports their growing UK client base and demand in the North West for hazardous area, marine grade and industrial electrical equipment.

Dron & Dickson partner with all major hazardous area and industrial manufacturers to supply an extensive range of products with market leading service levels. Uniquely, all Dron & Dickson’s internal sales staff have completed the CompEx Foundation course, qualifying them as the most competent Sales Team in the industry. They are also a leading Third-Party Assembler of Weidmuller (Klippon) and Hawke junction boxes and build to any spec in-house to the highest safety standards.

Dron & Dickson Runcorn Branch Manager David Minshull commented:

“Our presence in the North West of England will facilitate growth and aid diversification into new industry sectors. Our location here shows our commitment to our customers and allows us to provide the hazardous area electrical knowledge Dron & Dickson are renowned for. We are all excited to develop our existing customer base and forge new relationships.”

Dron & Dickson
Unit 11 Seymour Court
Manor Park
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1SY

Tel Number: +44 (0)1928 620980

Health & Safety Award Winner at the Chemicals Northwest Awards 2021.

Click FIND OUT MORE below to view the full product range.

Following a thorough tendering process, Dron & Dickson are delighted to announce we have been selected to participate in Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Fit4Offshore (F4OR).

This programme is aligned with our diversification and growth strategy and the selection allows us to deliver our technical engineering and specialist wholesale services across all parts of the energy sector.

Read more about the Fit4Offshore business improvement and supply chain growth programme below.

In early 2020, the Civil Aviation Authority released new guidance requiring the use of repeater lights on all moving helidecks in the UKCS. 

With some tight deadlines for systems to be put in place amid the pandemic, Dron & Dickson gathered a panel of experts from lighting manufacturer Orga and Oil & Gas UK (OGUK) to discuss the legislation and requirements.

Click FIND OUT MORE to watch the full webinar.

Dron & Dickson Operations Director Bruce McHattie

CableSafe® manufacture a range of products to enhance confined space safety, cable safety and dropped object prevention across a range of industrial sectors.
 

The partnership gives Dron & Dickson preferred distribution rights to the full CableSafe product range throughout the UK.
 
CableSafe’s Managing Director David Westerbeek van Eerten commented “I believe that amid the current global situation is the best time to invest in new product solutions, build strategic partnerships, continue to solidify relationship with our customers and grow our brand through selective distribution. The United Kingdom is a very important market for us, with Dron & Dickson, we know we are in the right hands. Their reputation speaks for itself. I trust that offering our solutions through Dron & Dickson’s vast network will provide their customers with simple, practical, cost-effective and quality products that can mitigate workplace risks such as slips, trips, falls, dropped objects and enhance confined space safety.”
 
Dron & Dickson Operations Director Bruce McHattie added “Safety is at the heart of everything Dron & Dickson does. It’s great to partner with an internationally renowned company that shares our values and passion for safety. CableSafe has a terrific range of innovative solutions to prevent dropped objects and remove trip hazards. They nicely complement the existing range of products we supply to our valued customers.”
 
Click below to view the full CableSafe range available via Dron & Dickson’s online procurement system P365 or email sales@drondickson.co.uk to make an enquiry.
 

Siemens world-renowned fire safety products, systems and solutions safeguard assets from fire risk. This teamed with Dron & Dickson’s UK wide distribution capabilities and electrical engineering expertise have created a powerhouse in Fire & Gas Engineering for hazardous and industrial areas, both on and offshore.

The partnership gives Dron & Dickson UK distribution rights to the full Siemens Fire Safety range including fire protection systems accessories and components, detection systems, alarming and evacuation equipment, and extinguishing solutions.
 
Siemens Head of Fire Products Robert Yates stated “Siemens are delighted to announce that Dron & Dickson are now a Solution Partner specialising in industrial fire products offering. With a long history in the Oil & Gas industry focusing on the electrical and hazardous markets and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
 
Dron & Dickson Sales and Marketing Director Tom Irwin commented “this partnership really emphasizes Dron & Dickson’s unique ability to understand our customers needs and fulfill them from both a wholesale supply and engineering standpoint. We really are more than a distributor with a unique in-depth knowledge of safety in hazardous and industrial areas and the associated legislation and requirements. The Siemens partnership validates our commitment to our customers across a broad range of market sectors, and our commitment to providing the best possible technical solutions from a world leading manufacturer.”

Click to view the full Siemens fire safety range available via Dron & Dickson’s online procurement system P365 or email info@drondickson.co.uk to enquire about Fire & Gas Engineering Services.

Dron & Dickson know that this is an unsettling time for our staff and stakeholders so have been following IOSH’s 5 tips on best practice to support everyone through this testing period.
 
We are part of the supply chain supporting the essential sectors required to meet the UK's energy demand at this critical time.
 
Our mental health support strapline of ‘Doing Well by Being Well’ extends beyond just the workplace and below are some of the measures we have taken in regards to each ‘tip’-
 

1. BE FLEXIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE
These are unique and extraordinary times that are challenging for all of us in different way. We are mindful of that and so have adopted a more flexible working approach, ensured that all staff who can work from home do so, introduced a company hardship fund to assist with any financial difficulties as well as providing enhanced cleaning, PPE and hygiene provisions for staff and visitors who still have to attend our premises.
 
2. ENCOURAGE BEST PRACTICE FOR STAFF WORKING FROM HOME
We realise that not everyone will be used to remote working and so have encouraged setting up a dedicated workspace that is separate from ‘home’ space, let staff take their office equipment home, advised on taking regular screen breaks and promoted clearing away at the end of the day to help people switch off from their ‘work mode’ and decompress.
 
3. CONNECTING AUTHENTICALLY
We have introduced various communication groups through social media and software platforms to keep people connected as well as organising online chats and quizzes. Our MD is providing a weekly recorded audio message with the latest company, industry and government news which is sent to everyone each Wednesday.
 
4. MAKE TIME FOR SUPPORTIVE CONVERSATIONS
Directors, Managers and HR are on hand at all times to make sure we can address and support any questions, concerns or worries. Our Employee Assistance Helpline can also be used by staff and their immediate family for any confidential matters. We have also been proactively contacting those who are self-isolating, live alone or are on furlough on a frequent basis to check up on their welfare and ensure they know we are here for them.
 
5. LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH
We have been promoting people exercising (following social distancing guidance), eating well, and practicing self-care which can also have a big impact on mental and physical wellbeing. In addition we have recommended that getting the right amount of sleep (8hrs per night) and choosing the right sources for information on COVID-19 can help staff better informed and ease anxieties.

Lenny Collins
Dron & Dickson Strategic Growth Director

Bob Banks, Dron & Dickson Hazardous Area TA discusses the challenges we face with compliance during the unprecedented times of the coronavirus outbreak.

We are currently faced with an unparalleled period of social and economic upheaval. The dangers of COVID-19 have meant we have had to readjust every part of our daily working lives. Maintaining normal plant operations in potentially Hazardous Areas, whilst reducing and mitigating the risk of COVID-19, presents a vast array of logistical challenges and a need for contingency planning.
 

• How do we reduce contact exposure to our work force in their daily working life?
• How do we ensure mobilisation with severe travel restrictions?
• How do we prioritise activities with reduced personnel?

 
These are all valuable questions, and ones crucial to ensuring continuity of personnel throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Whilst recognising the difficulties faced in the current environment, the UK Health and Safety Executive has stressed that operators must maintain regulatory compliance for safety critical systems and equipment, including prevention of ignition sources.
 
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations require that site operators identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources in those areas.
             
Shortcuts cannot be taken with safety. Simply stopping critical maintenance on safety critical systems and remaining operational, whilst reducing potential exposure to COVID-19, jeopardises the safety of the plant and those remaining on site.
 
With a likely reduction of personnel on site during this period, difficulties may be experienced in delivering existing long-term strategies, however measures can be taken to remain compliant through this period.
 
We have developed and implemented both long-term and short-term compliance strategies for operators and construction projects worldwide, both onshore and offshore.

Dron & Dickson are here to help you manage your immediate compliance needs in these difficult and challenging times, whether through consultation services, or contingency planning to support contractor and core crew activities.

Our purpose to ensure that we get ‘Everyone Home Safe’, has become even more important in these unprecedented times.

Dron & Dickson have implemented a range of measures, based on the UK Government’s latest advice regarding COVID-19. These measures have been taken to protect our team, our clients and the wider public, whilst maintaining normal business operations.

Through a combination of remote working, social distancing, rota working, augmented cleaning, enhanced hygiene and limiting client and manufacturer meetings to phone or video conferencing, we are determined to play our part to halt the spread of the virus.

We are in regular contact with our supply chain partners and carry stock to cater for a wide range of hazardous area electrical requirements. We have made contingency plans in our work place to ensure that receipt and dispatch of goods continues as normal to maintain service levels.

We are especially grateful to our team, who have stepped up to the challenge to ensure our customers receive the best service levels whilst mitigating risk.

To keep updated, stay close to our LinkedIn page (follow FIND OUT MORE.. below) or email info@drondickson.co.uk to subscribe to email updates.

Dron & Dickson fought off tough competition to win the Contribution to Safety accolade at the HazardEx and PPPTEx Awards and Dinner 2020.
 
 

The Contribution to Safety Award is voted for by the industry and recognises products, systems and services that make a significant contribution to safety in hazardous environments. The win recognises Dron & Dickson’s efforts to raise awareness on the importance of hazardous area safety and ignition prevention as well as training & competence.
 
Initiatives such as a Hazardous Area Awareness Education Partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and support of Oil & Gas UK in raising awareness on personnel qualification verification, highlights a passion to drive education and change regarding safety importance. These practices have the goal of making hazardous areas safer and reducing the risk of serious adverse events. Aptitude in this area is greatly attributed to Dron & Dickson’s unique ability to provide a fully integrated service via both products (Wholesale Division) and services (Engineering Services Division).
 
The Contribution to Safety Award recognises these lifesaving practices and the win will act as a catalyst for Dron & Dickson to further their efforts to become a Thought Leader regarding safety importance in hazardous areas throughout 2020 and beyond.

Dickson are pleased to announce the award of a multi-million pound contract for the provision of electrical materials for Spirit Energy’s onshore and offshore UK assets.

This award is the culmination of a rigorous tender process and ensures the continuation of a long-term partnership. Dron & Dickson’s Sales and Marketing Director Tom Irwin added “We are delighted to have been successful in this tender process and become a key supplier in Spirit Energy’s long term plans. It emphasises Dron & Dickson’s commitment to outstanding customer service, market leading commercial terms and unrivalled technical expertise.

We are delighted to showcase our new on site Haas CNC Machine in action! Our first ever Hawke PL612 as an authorised assembler. Click 'Find Out More' to see a video of our first box in action, here you can see the machine milling the core diameter of the entry, chamfering and finally thread milling the entry all with one tool. EA, PL, EJB and S-Series now in stock and available for bespoke assembly.
Get in touch today, our fantastic Business Development Managers are on hand to discuss the capabilities of this machine and any requirements you may have.

Dron & Dickson are extremely proud to be headline sponsor at this years annual Childrens Across Scotland Hospices (CHAS) Ladies Lunch.

The work that CHAS does with families who have a baby, child or young person with life limiting conditions is incredible. Sadly, three children die every week in Scotland of life-limiting conditions, currently CHAS reaches one of those families, but it is their aim to reach all the families that need support. In order to do so CHAS need to significantly increase their income. Therefore the support from companies and individuals will really help to reach these families.

Dron & Dickson Launch Procurement 365

We are proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of our brand new online procurement platform, Procurement 365. Boasting over 20,000 products, and over 30 manufacturers, we offer and stock much of your favourite brands.

Get exclusive updates from across Hubbell Harsh and Hazardous's 7 market leading brands and their extensive distribution team in Hubbell's quarterly magazine.

For more customer proximity; alongside its distribution companies and agencies in over 20 countries, Weidmüller relies upon local assembly partners who produce and provide specialist support and sales for the robust Klippon® Protect solutions for challenging environments.