The Aftermarket Operation of Loughborough-based Morris Material Handling has strengthened its association with RWE npower – one of the UK’s largest energy generators and suppliers. Having held the repair and maintenance contract for RWE npower’s on-site cranes at its Tilbury Power Station in Essex over the last four years, the company has secured a rolling contract for two Kone CSUs (continuous ship unloaders) on the same site.

In order to provide 24 hour round the clock repair and maintenance coverage of the ship unloader’s mechanical and electrical componentry, Morris Material Handling - one of the UK’s primary manufacturers of cranes, hoists and material handling equipment - has deployed a team of two engineers who remain permanently on-site.

The two Kones, which operate as continuous bucket wheel unloaders, are used to offload of some 2.5 million tonnes of coal annually that is used to power the 1,050 mega watt coal fired power station. Arriving from worldwide suppliers in 10,000 – 75,000 tonne ocean going bulk carriers, the coal is either transported direct for burning or stockpiled.

Comments RWE npower’s Materials Handling Section Head, Dennis Williams: “In the main, the contract is all about keeping downtime to a minimum. It is imperative that the ship unloaders, which are subject to the stresses of working in what is a hostile environment, remain functioning at all times, particularly bearing in mind the freight costs that are involved with bringing coal from worldwide suppliers to the power station.

“As for our relationship with Morris Material Handling, then we are delighted with how well and efficiently everything is being coordinated. They were awarded the contract as they presented us with a cost-effective and workable agreement that they could support with a wealth of knowledge from across the spectrum of the materials handling industry. What’s more, they are very committed. If we take the two on-site engineers, for example, not only are they extremely knowledgeable and very hard working, they’re amongst the most committed I’ve ever worked with,” concludes Dennis.

In addition to having the two permanent on-site engineers, Morris Material Handling supports this latest repair and maintenance partnering agreement from its regional service centre in Rochester. As well as coordinating the administration for the contract, Rochester can also draw on the skills and expertise of a seven strong engineering team, if required.

Commenting on behalf of Morris Material Handling, Pat Campbell, Head of Aftermarket Operations said: “Over the last few years, we have been extremely successful in strengthening the relationships that we enjoy with some of our major customers, and this latest agreement with RWE npower is a perfect example. We are obviously delighted to be working with them in this extended capacity and we aim to ensure that we meet the exacting standards that they require as a means of building on what is already a successful working relationship.”

RWE npower - a division of the RWE Group - is a leading integrated UK energy company. Operating and managing a portfolio of flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations, the company is actively involved in developing innovative energy-related techniques and is market leader in renewable energy production.