South Yorkshire engineering company Qualter Hall (www.qualterhall.co.uk) reports that it got off to “a fantastic start” in 2015, with several contract wins added to an already busy order book.

Having served the deep-mining industry since 1860, the company has diversified its core skills over recent years and now employs over 130 people dedicated to mechanical, structural, electronic, electrical, hydraulic and production engineering. It has built up a reputation for its service in the field of bespoke turn-key projects in the UK and world-wide.

Its recent successes include securing a 10-year framework agreement for a major Thames Estuary tidal flood defence programme, which will involve eight major flood barriers as well as numerous flood gates, outfalls, pumping stations and embankments.

It has also been awarded a contract for the design, manufacture and commissioning (plus two years’ maintenance) of the hydraulic, electrical and control equipment for the Ipswich Tidal Flood Barrier at the mouth of the River Orwell New Cut.

Following a long relationship with the rail transportation division of Bombardier, Qualter Hall has also won a new contract for 27 four-car sets of equipment — comprising 54 cab end assemblies, 162 intermediate end assemblies, 54 cab end longitude assemblies and 162 intermediate end longitude assemblies.

Having completed a major refurbishment of the Hull Tidal Surge Barrier (pictured) in 2010, which included replacing the drive mechanism with a completely new design (with all equipment fully assembled and tested at its facility in Barnsley), the company has now been awarded a new five-year contract for continuing maintenance of the barrier.