News
Mustang’s strong order book prompts recruitment

New build: The Managing Director and safety officer at Mustang check progress on a vessel.
A WORKBOAT and marine renewable energy device builder that transformed its fortunes following fresh investment is celebrating a flying start to 2015. Mustang Marine, which builds rugged, reliable workboats and marine renewable energy devices, was bought out of administration in May 2014 by a group of nine investors, and has completed a broad range of orders in what was a successful second half of 2014. Now under a new ownership and management structure, the rejuvenated Pembroke Dock-based firm is actively recruiting skilled workers and apprentices to meet a busy work schedule going into the New Year.
Over the last six months, Mustang Marine has created 12 new jobs, bringing the total workforce to 42 people. The company is looking to recruit a further 18 employees by mid-2015, doubling its original workforce. Captain Mark Meade, chairman of Mustang Marine, said: “We’re very pleased to see a business known for its excellent workboats meet the initial targets that the new management team set in mid-2014.
“Our investors recognised that there was a successful core to the business based on a reputation for quality and a proud heritage in marine engineering that stretches back more than 30 years.” Captain Meade, who is also the managing director of Holyhead Boatyard, added: “Over 90 per cent of the current shareholding in Mustang Marine came from new sources, and together we’ve worked hard to produce a business plan that focuses on sustainable growth and investment in our workforce.
“We’re on course to achieve the objectives we set for our first year, and have ambitious plans for the longer term.” In 2014, Mustang Marine fulfilled several challenging contracts, including the launch of the 26m offshore support vessel Dart Fisher, and delivery of a tidal energy device that will be tested off Ramsey Sound during 2015.
Steady repair, servicing and maintenance work on the company’s four slipways has also contributed to the company’s success. Current contracts include a new 20m BMT Nigel Gee design wind farm support vessel and a £250,000 multi-purpose workboat fit-out. Contracts lined up include a range of steel and aluminium workboats for customers in the UK, Europe and Asia, continuing the brand’s tradition of exporting internationally.
Stewart Graves, managing director of Mustang Marine, said: “One of the crucial factors has been the variety of work we’ve seen come in over the last six months. “The excellent workforce that we have been able to maintain has a comprehensive base of marine engineering skills and a depth of experience, which has helped us meet these challenging projects.
“We employ a naval architect, design engineers and skilled fabricators, welders, electricians, shipwrights and fitters. Now we’re about to start recruiting project and design engineers, as well as skilled tradesmen, to meet the programme of work that we have lined up for 2015. “We’re also looking into apprenticeship opportunities, and ultimately aim to have an apprentice for each of the skilled trades we employ in our workforce.”
Crime
Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock
Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation
A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.
There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.
The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.
Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
His next of kin have been informed.
HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.
The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.
Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.
Charity
Salvation Army offers free meals and school uniforms to families across Wales
Children in Mold can receive free meals throughout the summer holidays, while thousands of school uniform items are being distributed through centres in Swansea and Cardiff
THE SALVATION ARMY is helping families across Wales cope with the additional cost of the school summer holidays by providing free meals for children and free school uniforms ahead of the new academic year.
Its church and community centre in Mold is opening from 9.30am until 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday, throughout the Welsh school holidays.
Free meals are available to all children aged under 16, with no requirement for accompanying adults to purchase anything.
Major Michelle Hayter said the scheme had made a significant difference to families in the area over recent years.
She said: “If your children usually receive free school meals, suddenly having to provide lunch, snacks and activities every day can be costly.
“By offering free meals, we are helping families free up money so they can enjoy the fun things their children want to do.
“When we remind parents that the meals are free, you can see the smile on their faces.”
The Mold centre is also holding recycling-themed craft sessions on selected days, including activities such as making mosaic coasters, decorating jars and creating bird feeders.
The charity is also supporting parents who may already be concerned about the cost of buying school uniforms for September.
Salvation Army charity shops and donation centres across Wales are offering free school uniform items, subject to availability.
Donation centres in Gorseinon, Swansea, and Cardiff have already distributed more than 3,000 items donated by Bridgend-based school uniform supplier Euroschools Direct.
Craig Mawer, manager at Euroschools Direct, said the company wanted its unused stock to benefit families rather than go to waste.
He said: “We are really pleased the uniforms have been able to support The Salvation Army’s work.
“When we realised we had unused stock, we wanted it to make a genuine difference rather than end up as waste.
“The Salvation Army felt like the right choice because of its strong community presence and the support it offers to parents facing financial pressure.”
Families seeking help are advised to contact their nearest Salvation Army church, community centre, charity shop or donation centre to find out what support is available locally.
Business
Dedicated 5G network introduced at Royal Welsh Show to keep livestreams running
BT says protected mobile connection will help Welsh traders process card payments and allow organisers to share live content during periods of heavy network demand
DEDICATED 5G connectivity is being used at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to prevent card payments, livestreams and other essential digital services from being disrupted when the showground becomes crowded.
BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society are demonstrating new 5G+ “network slicing” technology at the event, which is expected to attract as many as 250,000 visitors during its four-day run.
The technology creates a dedicated and protected section of the EE mobile network for specific services or organisations.
This means businesses using the connection should continue to receive reliable mobile coverage even when thousands of visitors are simultaneously using their phones, potentially placing the wider public network under significant pressure.
At the showground, the dedicated connection is supporting payment systems operated by Welsh food and drink businesses Radnor Hills and Fire and Flank.
BT says the system will help traders process card payments quickly during peak periods, reducing the risk of lengthy queues or lost sales caused by network congestion.
Chris Butler, marketing manager at Radnor Hills, said dependable connectivity was essential because thousands of visitors use the company’s stands during the show.
He said: “The Royal Welsh Show is one of the most important events in our calendar, both as a proud Welsh business and a long-standing supporter of the show itself.
“With thousands of visitors stopping by our stands every day, dependable connectivity for our payment systems is essential to keeping queues moving and making sure customers can quickly grab a drink and get back to enjoying their day.
“Having a dedicated 5G+ network slice gives us greater confidence that we can continue serving people smoothly, even during the busiest periods.”
Fire and Flank is exhibiting at the Royal Welsh Show for the first time.
Founder and director David Evans said: “When demand is high, the last thing any business wants is connectivity issues slowing down card payments or creating long queues.
“Reliable connectivity for our electronic point-of-sale systems helps us serve customers quickly, deliver a great experience and focus on what matters most, sharing our food with visitors.”
The technology is also being used by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s communications team and 2026 show ambassador Teleri-Haf Thomas.
It will allow them to livestream, upload videos and share content from the showground, even when tens of thousands of visitors are using the public network.
Aled Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said mobile connectivity had become increasingly important to the running of the event.
He said: “The Royal Welsh Show is about bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from across Wales and beyond, and connectivity has become an increasingly important part of that experience.
“From supporting exhibitors and traders to helping our team deliver the event safely and efficiently, reliable mobile connectivity plays a vital role.
“Working with BT to showcase 5G+ network slicing demonstrates how next-generation mobile technology can support critical operations while helping us share the best of Welsh agriculture, food and rural life with audiences both on the showground and online.”
The Royal Welsh Show trial is described as one of the first large-scale public demonstrations in the UK of network slicing being used to support both business-critical services and visitor experiences at a major event.
BT is preparing to launch its first network slicing services to customers later this summer.
Adam Price, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: “It is important that visitors and businesses alike experience high-quality digital connectivity at nationally significant events like the Royal Welsh Show.
“BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have committed to ensuring the event benefits from world-class technology, and I am pleased Welsh Government collaboration has helped to make this possible.”
Greg McCall, BT’s chief security and networks officer, said the technology could provide businesses and organisations with more predictable connectivity during major events.
He said: “Whether it is buying food and drink from local traders, sharing moments from the show on social media or following the action online, people increasingly expect seamless connectivity wherever they are.
“By providing dedicated, high-performance connectivity for specific applications, we are helping businesses keep payments flowing, enabling reliable livestreaming and content uploads, and showing how next-generation mobile technology can support better experiences for organisations and consumers alike.”
BT has upgraded equipment at the Royal Welsh Showground and a neighbouring mobile mast in Builth Wells as part of the project.
The company says it has invested more than £500 million in fixed and mobile connectivity across Wales since 2020.
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