Hydraulics & Pneumatics October 2022

Cumbria-based engineering firm Forth has welcomed experienced trio Neil Armistead, Eddie Slee and Phil Copeland to its Barrow-in- Furness team to further strengthen its ability to provide bespoke engineering solutions to industry wide problems. Armistead joins Forth as a project engineer from BAE Systems where he spent 20 years working on submarines, making Howitzers and other naval weaponry. Copeland also has experience of working for BAE in London and has also been employed by a number of other globally renowned companies including Sellafield and more latterly Barrow Gas Terminal. Having previously travelled the world working in the engineering industry, Slee recently returned to his hometown after spending the past 24 years working at a hunting and fishing business in New Zealand. Tony Sneesby, Forth’s operations manager in Barrow, says all three bring with them a wealth of business and engineering experience which will prove invaluable as the company continues to win major contracts. “Forth is always on the lookout for talented engineers who can help us with our world pioneering work and, just as important, they can work well within our team. In Neil, Eddie and Phil we have three people who fit the bill perfectly and will certainly strengthen what Forth as a company can offer to industry across the world. All three are great people with a great work ethic, and we’re delighted that they are bringing decades of knowledge and expertise within engineering to our team.” The three appointments are timely following Forth winning some major contracts in recent weeks, most notably with Magnox and Sellafield. The company is still looking for more employees to help with an increased workload and future contract work. Business development expert Trevor Swift has joined PCL as its new area sales manager for the M62 corridor, covering the coast-to-coast region from Hull to Liverpool. Bringing extensive experience in the B2B automotive aftermarket and hardware industries, Swift has been getting up to speed on the potential for PCL’s high quality and advanced portfolio of pneumatic equipment before setting out in the field to meet customers. He comments: “I’ve received an extremely warm welcome from PCL and have thoroughly enjoyed my induction, which included an introduction to every department and detailed product familiarisation. I am now looking forward to getting out on the road to drive business forward, crossing paths with existing customers and hopefully a lot of new ones.” Sales and marketing director Lee Wright says: “Trevor has excellent experience in developing and maintaining local and national accounts and is dedicated to understanding the individual needs of a customer’s business. He is therefore ideally suited to this role with PCL and the company’s ethos of developing long-term relationships through identifying and maximising opportunities to benefit all. We are pleased to welcome him to the team.” Banbury-based Norbar Torque Tools Ltd. has appointed a new managing director to lead the manufacturers’ global operations. John Reynertson is the incoming managing director for the company and will replace the outgoing Andrew Lobo. He brings 36 years of experience in the torque tool industry to the role. Reynertson joins Norbar from his role as president at Sturtevant Richmont, a US company recently purchased by Norbar’s owner Snap-on, that has designed and manufactured torque wrenches and torque control solutions since the 1920s. His appointment is part of the continuing collaboration between the three organisations to bring customers the best quality torque products for their industries. Reynertson says: “I am looking forward to the challenge of running a larger company in a new region, working within an industry that I know and love so well. I will bring with me my engineering expertise from my years at Sturtevant Richmont and apply that to the vibrant and fast-moving markets that Norbar serves.” Lobo, says: “Though my leaving the managing director position is a bittersweet moment, I have every confidence in John to continue to drive Norbar towards a successful future. I am proud of all we achieved in bringing the Snap-on expertise together with the rich Norbar history and will continue to work with its teams and those from Sturtevant. Trio of new arrivals at Forth 46 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2022 www.hpmag.co.uk New area sales manager for PCL NEW FACES Norbar-Torque Tools appoints managing director From left to right: Phil Copeland, Neil Armistead and Eddie Slee. [Andrew Lobo (left) and John Reynertson. Trevor Swift.