How to make life decisions
It’s 1994 and two managers are at an industry exhibition. Their years had been spent learning the trade and had rested at overseeing projects and personnel at a large inspection company. They were frustrated and were wondering where their careers were headed. Where would they be in 10 years’ time?
That evening, during a lubricated discussion they made a life changing decision – they would go it alone. Perhaps not the best way to choose the direction of your career, but in the cold light of day, the idea still seemed feasible.
Fast forward: January 1995
Those same two men entered a suite of rented rooms; a glorified damp and cold shed all but empty save for a used desk and a filing cabinet. There was a striking coat of red paint trying to disguise a shabby work bench and this was it, there was no going back.
The door opened. The courier had bought them their first job. They stared somewhat anxiously at the two blue packing cases. The silence was broken: “We need to buy some test gear. And now”.
Laying foundations
In the early days, Kim Hastings and Chris Cathles worked tirelessly, repairing and calibrating all manner of equipment. Both being well known and respected in the industry was an enormous help in building a reputable company. As time went on TVC grew steadily.
Local companies were thrilled at having a service company on the doorstep; the fast response and no need for shipping meant less downtime and more profits. A basic hire fleet and the supply of new equipment were added to the portfolio. The manufacture of bespoke equipment followed and the ALX series of welding data loggers was born.
We need a bigger shed
TVC moved into larger premises in 2001 and it was home for the next 13 years. Incorporation was followed by ISO 9001 quality accreditation, further boosting the company’s standing.
Over time, and stretching their capacity to the limit, TVC set about developing its products. Additional staff were hired and renting a space for a mechanical workshop where turning and milling facilities were installed. This also provided a larger area for fully weld testing data loggers prior to shipping.
Weld tested, well-travelled
A network of agents covering industry hot spots globally, allowed TVC to become an international organisation. In supplying the pipeline, welding fabrication and inspection industries through companies local to our global neighbours, who can deal direct with the client base in their own language and knowledge of business customs, TVC equipment can now be found on major onshore and offshore projects. In fact, the ALX and MAL series of welding data loggers are used on some of the most ground breaking projects ever completed. More recently, this includes the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project currently under construction, and the follow on Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
The new build
The introduction of welding gas monitoring systems and the license agreement to manufacture subsea MPI inspection equipment again prompted a move to larger premises. Since moving in May 2015, TVC have expanded both their admin and technical workforce to assist with demand.
As with all technology based industries, TVC is ever changing and evolving. New welding data logging systems, pipe purging and welding gas monitoring systems have been launched along with gas condition measurement systems. Many of these items are bespoke, tailored exactly to our customers systems and requirements. In addition, the increasing demand for steel pipe clad with super alloys has opened up further areas for diversification. Our inspection camera systems and unique clad thickness measurement systems are in use inspecting pipe weld overlay internal cladding in countries across the globe.
Quality from the inside out
Yet, it hasn’t stopped there. TVC are ever expanding, catering for the industry’s needs wherever we can. This has led to our calibration laboratory achieving UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation for Ultrasonic Flaw Detection equipment (to BS EN 12668-1). A number of our local clientele required their test equipment calibrating to UKAS. Our clients asked us if we could, so we did.
The benefits for choosing UKAS, give you approved, equipment technicians who have proven reliability and knowledge of your equipment. UKAS can help win or maintain international business as UKAS, and its associated ILAC-MRA mark, are globally recognised. Complex projects require accuracy and safety, with the stringent requirements of UKAS you can prove full traceability for your equipment, in addition to due care and attention for the safety of your staff and clients. TVC can help you do that.
“The controls under UKAS are far stricter, the traceability is far stricter, which only adds credence to the industry and to what we’re doing here at TVC. We will be expanding the UKAS coverage in our calibration services as time goes on.”
– Kim Hastings, TVC
TVC have an outstanding calibration laboratory with greater accreditation, we are now expanding our services even further by offering a three tier service including Standard, Premium and Fast Track services available to assist you even faster and provide that “must have” equipment in the shortest timescales. Booking details will be available on our website shortly but please contact the office for further information in the interim.
