The completion of two new four high bays has proved timely for the staff at SCT's straddle carrier workshop, known as 204 Workshop. The additional space has enabled the level of servicing to be increased without onward disruption to the daily routine works within the workshop.

The preventative maintenance team  are currently undertaking the task of upgrading the power plants on 36 straddle carriers, from Mercedes to Caterpillar. With ample headroom and a new 5 tonne overhead crane at their disposal this task is made somewhat easier than it would have been prior to the investment.

This task is one small part of the efforts being made by 204 Engineering staff to increase the reliability and availability of mobile equipment to the Operations team at SCT. As well as investing in equipment and facilities, the ongoing recruitment and training of technicians is key to sustaining a workforce capable of dealing with the ever changing technologies supplied with modern equipment.

The Technician Apprenticeship scheme continues to develop multi-skilled Engineers able to apply themselves to Mobile equipment or Quayside cranes alike. A new training facility is now complete at 204 Workshop and is already paying dividends catering for Caterpillar engine courses in the heart of the workshop metres from the machinery concerned, but without the noise and distraction previously experienced.