At its AGM, held on 21 April at its base in Market Harborough, the Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA) reflected on a successful year and looked forward to a busy future schedule.
Welcoming members to the event, Dave Berridge, Association Secretary, outlined the ways in which the trade body had responded to the requests in last year’s Member Survey for more marketing, networking and training opportunities, and announced the launch of the AMHSA apprenticeship scheme.
Training courses
Dave Berridge explained how AMHSA had been involved in a plethora of activities, including the launch of the association’s new website in December, the introduction of a members’ area for this in April, a recruitment fair at Loughborough University and a number of training events.
AMHSA is actively involved in the Europe-wide revision of the EN 528 standard for ASRS safety, with Dave Berridge representing AMHSA in the working group as the UK Expert. AMHSA had also been involved in the consultation for the review of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, culminating in the revised CDM 2015 regulations, which came into force on 6 April. AMHSA will be hosting a CDM 2015 Update Course on 19 May, at which John Hewitt, Safety Officer for Logistex, will explain how the new regulations apply to the materials handling sector. Then on 18 June, legal expert, Tony Ventrella, will deliver a further AMHSA Commercial Training course entitled ‘The Construction Act and its implications for materials handling projects’.
Apprenticeship scheme
The highlight of this year’s AGM was the launch of AMHSA’s apprenticeship programme in association with car manufacturer, Toyota. AMHSA members are invited to participate in the four-year scheme that will see apprentices spend the first two years learning a range of hands-on, high-tech engineering skills at the state-of-the-art Toyota Academy in Burnaston and the remaining two years building on this with industry-specific skills and knowledge at the premises of the AMHSA member.
Leading the way with the new scheme is AMHSA member, George Utz Ltd, which already has four apprentices enrolled. Commented Garry Archer, Head of Production for George Utz, “The scheme is very professional and develops the apprentices into highly skilled engineers. This is a great way for young people to launch their careers in the material handling industry.”
The Utz group also recently hosted a tote workshop for AMHSA members at its facility in Alfreton, Derbyshire, including a tour of the recently extended production facilities. A panel of experts covered topics including tote manufacturing methods and consequent cost differences, the successful design and use of totes in various handling systems and particular features of ‘automation totes’.
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