In recent years Premier Technical Services Group PLC (PTSG) has ventured outside the UK to deliver some of its expert services, delivering projects to some unique sites and in the process building partnerships with some prestigious international clients.
A prime example is the partnership developed with Bechtel, a multinational construction and engineering group, for which PTSG delivered a series of inspection and certification works of lighting protection systems at the construction site of Hamad International Airport, Qatar.
One of the largest challenges of delivering these works is that of managing the deployment of dedicated teams to Qatar from the UK. This brings challenges of embracing new cultures, languages, legislative practices, behaviours and ways of working. Through close partnership working with Bechtel, all of these challenges were planned for and overcome, so much so that PTSG has fitted perfectly into the working environment at Hamad International Airport.
Another ongoing partnership PTSG maintains is with Iraqi telecoms provider FastIraq. Since 2015, PTSG has carried out rope access works for FastIraq, attending several sites in the Middle East to carry out inspections, remedial and repair works to communications towers and satellites when the need arises.
FastIraq places its trust in PTSG to deliver these difficult high-level works, following an excellent track record of delivering similar works. The logistics of these projects are arranged through close communication between PTSG and FastIraq’s UK-based contact, who provides solutions to issues such as entry into Iraq through liaison with the Foreign Commonwealth Office.
PTSG’s other unique international partnership has developed in the eastern Caribbean. In recent years the company has carried out maintenance, remedial and repair works to roof and chimney structures for Barbados’s sole electricity utility provider, Barbados Light and Power. PTSG’s rope access technicians attend power generation stations on the island to carry out various works, including chimney inspections, repairs, and maintenance such as cleaning and painting.
Unlike the traditional UK climate that PTSG’s operatives normally work in, projects for Barbados Light and Power can take place in extremely hot conditions, with exposure to strong levels of sunlight a challenge the team has to overcome. To minimise the risks of sunstroke and heat exhaustion, PTSG and Barbados Light and Power agree to schedule works to be performed in four hour slots, usually taking place in the early mornings, to avoid the strong midday sun.
Despite these projects initially taking place in unknown territory, PTSG has worked to establish a strong relationship with the clients involved, founded on mutual trust and reliance on the knowledge and experience the team possesses. Through multiple successful deliveries, PTSG has become a key business partner to these unique and diverse overseas clients.