We are gearing up for another offshore extravaganza at one of the world’s leading trade shows for the energy industry, OTC (Offshore Technology Conference) HOUSTON, which gets underway on Monday.

During the show, we will be focusing on several product areas including explosion proof (Ex) (and non-Ex) radio remote controls (RRC), Alternative Maritime Power, cable chains, power connectors, slip rings and motorised cable reels.

Billed as highlighting “the development of technologies that serve the offshore industry in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection”, the event attracted almost 90,000 visitors in 2012, and some 2,500 exhibiting companies.

As in previous years, we are in the Norwegian Pavilion, and you will find us at booth 5235. Click here for a full exhibition booth map.

In an fantastic feat of endurance, one of our sales engineers, Kalchow Zhang, recently cycled 4,662km from Shanghai to Tibet with a group of friends.

Top of the world: arrival in Tibet after 4,662km

“Although the scenery was spectacular, and conditions were at times extremely hot, we just kept going!” says Kalchow.

The group took 21 days to wend their way from Shanghai to Chengdu, and a further 22 days from Chengdu to the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Kalchow and his friends were taking part in a race that involved up to 100 riders starting from different locations every day throughout the summer.

During the event, teams scaled 14 mountains of more than 5,000 metres above sea level.

“Competition was fierce: everyone wanted to be the first to reach the peaks, but I often managed to be the fastest!” says Kalchow.

What really struck him though was how hospitable people were throughout the length of the course.

“One time, a motorist even stopped his car to give me a couple of eggs,” he says.

Last week, Cavotec Germany hosted an open day at its new, state-of-the-art production facility and office space just outside Frankfurt.  

Spick and span on the factory floor

The Dietzenbach-based premises, just 20km from Frankfurt Airport, are the new home for Cavotec Fladung and Cavotec Germany. Cavotec Fladung designs and manufactures advanced in-ground aircraft support equipment used at airports all over the world.

The new production facility optimises production processes, with clearly defined areas for specific activities and gantry systems to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of products around the factory floor. The new site also leaves room for the company to continue to grow in the years ahead.

Precision at work: a Cavotec engineer works on an electrical connector

Cavotec Germany Managing Director, Thomas Dreyer; and Cavotec CEO, Ottonel Popesco spoke at the event, before attendees were taken on guided tours around the site. Guests included customers, suppliers and Cavotec staff.

The event, held every two years, also includes product demonstrations and presentations on Cavotec technologies. The following day, employees’ families were invited to the site to see where their families work. Although on this day, the emphasis was rather more on the bouncy castle than pre-conditioned air systems!

This year’s occasion was well-received by all those present, and we look forward to holding a similar event again in 2014.

Cavotec’s radio remote control (RRC) experts – Cavotec Micro-control – recently took part in a highly successful ONS2012, one of the offshore energy industry’s largest exhibitions. Held in Stravanger, Norway, between August 28 and 30, the event attracted some 50,000 attendees.

The Cavotec team (and Cavotec kit) at ONS2012

The Cavotec team (pictured above) were on hand to show visitors how our innovative technologies are helping the industry to operate more safely, more cleanly and more efficiently. Key product areas included RRCs, joysticks, drag chains, connectors and motorised cable reels, primarily for EX applications.

Our stand – as the entire event – was busy, with even Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Ola Borten Moe, dropping in to try his hand at operating an excavator using one of our advanced RRC video link systems.

Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borte operates an excavator via a Cavotec video link system

We’ve posted some more photos from ONS on our Facebook.

Following the success of ONS in recent years, the event will now be held annually, rather than bi-annually as previously: we’re already looking forward to ONS2013!

For more on Cavotec Micro-control, visit: http://www.cavotecmc.com/

The Cavotec USA team has received a Supplier Excellence Award from Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). The award from the leading defence technologies manufacturer recognises outstanding performance in “safety, quality, on-time delivery, and investment in process improvement initiatives.”

Michael Larkin, President of Cavotec USA Inc. accepted the award at a special ceremony hosted by Raytheon IDS Mission Assurance Quality Six Sigma (MAQS) and Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover, Massachusetts.

“Cavotec is honoured to receive this award from such a respected industry leader and business partner,” said Larkin. “This achievement is the result of our team’s dedication and underscores our commitment to quality at our new production facility in Mooresville, North Carolina”.

Cavotec’s Mooresville facility manufactures and assembles motorised and spring driven cable reels, slip ring columns, electrical connectors, radio remote control units, joysticks, cable chains, and flexible cables used in port, mining and general industry applications worldwide.

March is set to be yet another busy much for trade shows, with innovative engineering group Cavotec present at events in USA, China, Europe, South America and the Middle East. Please get in touch with us via e-mail, Twitter or Facebook (details below) if you are planning to attend one of these events and would like to arrange a meeting.

7-9 March: Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas, USA.

13-15 March: WETEX in Dubai, UAE.

13-15 March: TOC Asia in Hong Kong, China.

13-15 March: Stocexpo in Rotterdam, NL.

19-20 March: The Spring Conference in Washington, USA.

20-22 March: Kingdoms Airports Expansion summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

27 March-1 April: Fidae Santiago de Chile in Santiago de Chile.

27-29 March: On & Offshore in Gorinchem, NL.

For further details please contact Michael Scheepers, Director Investor Relations & PR: michael.scheepers@cavotec.com

To find out more about Cavotec, please visit our website. For updates on Cavotec projects, technologies and industry news, take a look at our blog or connect with us via Twitter or  Facebook.