Mutech, based in Manchester, England, has announced a record order book. The company, which has 25 years experience in electronics design and manufacture of intrinsic safety equipment for leading companies worldwide, quoted a 40% increase for Q4 of 2012, compared with the same period in 2011. Business has expanded, particularly in the oil, gas and mining equipment markets, as Managing Director, Colin Cameron, explains: “We have increased our marketing and customer service in the core areas of hazardous and functional safety. Our growth is driven by an expanding international end user market.”

The expanding order book is reflected in staff intake, which has increased by 20% over the last 12 months. Colin Cameron is keen to recognise the significance of high calibre personnel: “Our success has been powered by professional, motivated and valued people. The award of IIP Gold earlier this year proved that investing in personnel is the key to our long term goal of becoming a centre of excellence for our chosen specialist markets. And, very importantly, we still have huge potential for further innovation, development and growth.”

Colin Cameron, who was elected Chairman of the important L/6/10* committee and who has recently returned from the international IECEx* series of meetings to discuss harmonisation with the industry, stresses the importance of certification for continued success in global markets: “The UK’s standards are currently seen as the benchmark and Mutech’s strategy is to work towards product certification for all its markets.”

The company embraces the wide spectrum of electronics, from specification, circuit design, software development, through approvals and testing, to prototype and low volume production. A member of the Association of British Mining Equipment Companies (ABMEC) Mutech designs, builds and tests internationally approved products for customers in the fields of mining and other hazardous areas.

*L/6/10 comprises manufacturers, users, certification and government bodies, offering a UK perspective to the international committee. L/6/10 is the sole route for UK input into the IECEx scheme.

The L/6/10 committee reports to the British Electrotechnical Committee (BEC), the UK Committee for IEC. The L/6/10 is responsible for issues relating to the certification of electrical and mechanical equipment used in hazardous areas (the IECEx scheme), including the oil, gas, mining and landfill industries, as well as food and other process industries.

IECEx is the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to standards relating to equipment for use in explosive atmospheres.