Back to News >

AXIOM’s commitment to providing innovative integrity management solutions, has delivered high value efficiency improvements to a key client site. AXIOM has successfully completed the transition of inspection services from the previous incumbent, enabling a cost saving to Victrex of over £1m.

Victrex, a world leader in polymer solutions are specialists in the development and production of PEEK and PEAK polymers at their Hillhouse site in Lancashire have continued to adopt a robust Risk-based Inspection (RBI) approach to their asset management strategy. Receptive to review and improve on existing practices, Victrex were keen to partner with an organisation to deliver their objectives.

AXIOM possess a rich history of working with owners and operators of high-hazard COMAH sites around the UK as their Competent Body, with the explicit aim of delivering Inspection and Integrity Management support to ensure compliance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations. Working with Victrex, AXIOM have been able to deliver different perspectives to this project, to ensure balanced, pragmatic, but above all, regulatory-compliant advice is delivered.

As part of the transition, successful shut downs executed by AXIOM at the Hillhouse site enabled the North East-based asset integrity specialists to complete an in-depth review of the client’s existing inspection programme including where improvements could be made. These included a complete review of existing Written Schemes of Examination (WSE) and facilitating the necessary updates dependent on equipment condition with a view to optimising future scope and intervals using risk-based principles.

With the need for innovative thinking and challenge to the current inspection programme being identified, AXIOM’s in-house digital asset life cycle tool Asset Management Database (AMD) also proved pivotal. With the capability to capture all key design, inspection history and deliver data-driven integrity management assurance to the client, the AMD was able to support successful transitioning.

Alex Bale, Asset Integrity & Standards Lead at Victrex said, “We quickly recognised the strength and depth of AXIOM’s capabilities as they worked alongside our personnel to improve our inspection programme. We were keen to continually assess progress against our given targets and scrutinise results to ensure successful outcomes. This process was delivered seamlessly with AXIOM’s collaborative approach and willingness to support our personnel throughout the transition.”

He added, “Uncompromising safety is and will always be our key focus however the cost savings are projected to be significant, in excess of £1m to the business which we intend to re-invest in the continued growth of the organisation.”

Peter Hunt, Commercial Director added, “This project is an excellent example of AXIOM’s multi award-winning capabilities in supporting our client’s drive towards improvements in their asset integrity management programme. With both businesses sharing the same vision of technical excellence, we are aligned to work together to ensure a successful outcome.”

AXIOM’s ongoing engagement has clearly highlighted the business as a provider of complete, ‘wraparound’ Asset Integrity Management support, with the addition of expert Mechanical, Materials and Process Safety Engineers available to deliver value-adding consultancy.

This recent commitment in supporting client integrity follows other successful partnerships in the transition of Inspection programmes supporting the delivery of significant cost-savings to business operations.