Frimley, UK, 2014-Dec-08
The first members of the team who will deliver Siemens wind turbine manufacturing and assembly facility in Hull have moved into new offices in the city. (Left to right: Finbarr Dowling, Charlene Swann, Kevin Wilkinson, Shaun Cray ,Ross Dean)
Siemens has leased premises at Two Humber Quays on Hull Marina, employing Chameleon Business Interiors, who are based in the same building, to carry out the office design and fit-out. The first five members of the Siemens Hull team are based there, with support from staff at Siemens offices in the UK and Europe. Further appointments will be made in the New Year.
Siemens’ development partner, Associated British Ports (ABP), has appointed the GRAHAM Lagan Construction Group Joint Venture to develop the site at Alexandra Dock in Hull for the Siemens facility and significant enabling work has begun there, including for the building of three new berths and a roll-on, roll-off ramp.
Construction of buildings for the blade manufacturing and wind turbine assembly facilities is due to begin in summer 2015. The project will be driven from the Marina offices while the Alexandra Dock site is developed.
Finbarr Dowling, who has been appointed as Hull Project Director after five years running the award-winning Siemens Standard Drives factory at Congleton in Cheshire, said: “We’ve arrived and we’re underway. We have a place we call home and we’re starting to spend money in the local economy, with local companies, and employing local people.
“We’ve been delighted with the support we have had from Chameleon and we’ve appreciated the skill and speed with which they have fitted out the office, as well as providing temporary accommodation for us within their own premises while the work was carried out.
“We’re pleased to have worked with a local company and it doesn’t get more local than a company based in the same building. This shows we will invest in local services and suppliers, where possible.”
Shaun Cray, who was born in Hull and lives in South Cave, is General Manager, Real Estate and Construction, for the project.
He has worked for Siemens for 14 years, in two spells, in senior roles involving property acquisition, management, construction and disposal. He rejoined Siemens in 2010 to work on plans for a UK wind turbine manufacturing facility, at a time when Hull was on a shortlist of locations.
Mr Cray was part of a small team who evaluated the shortlisted sites and recommended Hull for the investment. Since then, he has worked on the project through its various stages, including negotiations with ABP.
Mr Cray said: “Coming from Hull, I’m incredibly proud and sometimes quite amazed that I’m involved in such an important project for the city. Now we have to get it right, for Siemens and for Hull.
“This will be a flagship for Siemens globally and we’re determined to deliver a world-class manufacturing facility of which both Siemens and the city of Hull can be very proud.”
Ross Dean is Commercial Director for the project. He has been with Siemens for 15 years, the past six years within the Global Wind Power Division, and has worked on all of Siemens’ UK offshore wind farm installations.
He said: “It’s very exciting to be part of such a fantastic project and to have the opportunity to create a legacy for local people, the community and the industry. We’re creating a new industry for the UK and it’s all starting here in Hull.”
Financial Controller for the project is Kevin Wilkinson, who lives in Bishop Burton. His previous role was as Head of Strategy for Siemens Transmission and, from 2011 to 2013, he worked at Siemens’ wind turbine manufacturing facility at Brande in Denmark. During this time he helped to develop the business case for the Hull project.
He said: “This is a very big development and potentially a game-changer for the region’s economy. As someone who lives locally, it’s great to be involved right from the start. We now really want to deliver on the local community’s expectations; to make this work for the local area, for Siemens and for the industry.”
Charlene Swann, who lives in west Hull, has been appointed as Office Manager, having previously worked in a site support role for DONG Energy during construction of the sub-station in Hedon serving the Westermost Rough offshore wind farm off Yorkshire’s east coast. Prior to that, she was Facilities Manager for Vivergo Fuels at Saltend.
Miss Swann registered on the Siemens website for roles in the Hull project and was contacted when the Office Manager position was advertised internally and externally, attracting 80 candidates.
She said: “I logged on and tried my luck and that has led to me being here now as part of the team. I feel very fortunate and honoured to be part of this. My family and friends are really excited for me because this is such a big, long-term investment.”
On the appointment of local people to the team, Mr Dowling said: “We will always employ the very best candidates for the job, but it’s good that there are local people involved at this very early stage. It shows there is plenty of talent in the local area.”
Chameleon Business Interiors Managing Director Shaun Watts said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Siemens on the design and fit-out of their new working environment. I think this sends out a very positive message and demonstrates clearly Siemens’ intentions to work with the local business community.”
People who are interested in opportunities with Siemens in Hull can register their interest via this link: http://www.siemens.co.uk/hulljobs
Siemens is a significant UK employer with 13,760 employees, including around 2,000 employees in its renewable businesses.
Find out more by visiting www.siemens.co.uk/hull
Contacts for journalists:
John Meehan, of Meehan Media & Comms (on behalf of Siemens Plc)
tel: 01482 223479
mobile: 07803 199492
E-mail: john@meehanmedia.co.uk
Anne Keogh, Siemens plc
Tel: 01276 696312
mobile: 07808 823545
Email: anne.keogh@siemens.com
For further information and press pictures, please see: www.siemens.co.uk/press
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About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalisation. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of combined cycle turbines for power generation, a leading provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions and automation and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading supplier of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2013, which ended on September 30, 2013, revenue from continuing operations totaled €75.9 billion and income from continuing operations €4.2 billion. At the end of September 2013, Siemens had around 362,000 employees worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.co.uk.
