NEWS

19-Apr-05 - Able UK Ltd
NEW IMPORT CENTRE FOR KIA ON HUMBERSIDE

Kia Motors (UK) Limited is to relocate to a new purpose-built vehicle distribution centre to ABLE’s Killingholme Ports Facility, near Grimsby, on the Humber estuary to cope with its growing business demands.

As one of the fastest growing brands in the UK new car market, Kia has outgrown its current operation in Sheerness and the new facility, adjacent to Humber Sea Terminal, will allow the brand to prepare for expected further development of its UK business.

The all-encompassing distribution facility, expected to be operational in October this year, will also include workshops, preparation areas as well as sufficient capacity to accommodate up to 10,500 vehicles in readiness for the next generation of 8,000 car-carrying vessels being introduced by Kia’s shipping partner Eukor.

The initial 55 development represents an investment of approximately £10m, creating in excess of 300 jobs in the area.

Tom Jacobson, Kia’s General Manager of Systems and Operations said: “This is a significant move for Kia in the UK. Last year we saw our sales rise to more than 30,000 units and this year we expect to deliver 45,000 vehicles to customers. As we grow towards our target of 100,000 units a year by the end of the decade we have to be able to cope with increased movement of vehicles and Killingholme will give us significant benefits, enabling Kia to enhance our vehicle preparation and logistics facilities.

“It has excellent links to mainland Europe and unhindered access to the UK trunk road network allowing us to cut our lead mileage between the port of entry and the dealer showroom by approximately 25 per cent.

“The site also allows us to plan for the future, to improve the processing of our vehicles and tailoring the vehicles for the UK market. It will also provide us with considerable consolidation opportunities and cost savings in the future,” he added.

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18-Apr-05 - Able UK Ltd
COMPANY RECEIVES MAJOR EUROPE-WIDE AWARD

Able UK Ltd has received a major Europe-wide award from one of the world’s leading energy companies for its health, safety and environmental standards.

The Remediation Management ‘Diamond Award’ is presented by BP to contractors judged by an independent panel to have contributed most in the areas of health, safety security and environmental leadership, innovation and management.

ABLE received their award at a major conference being held by BP Remediation Management in Swansea and Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Stephenson describes it as ‘recognition by a world-class company that we meet the highest possible standards in tackling highly complex dismantling demolition and reclamation projects.’

He explained “Remediation Management reflects BP’s determination to ensure that all its consultants and contractors work to a policy of no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment. ABLE is the only contractor in the construction sector in the Western Hemisphere-Europe region to win the Diamond Award for 2004 which underlines its significance.

“We have been involved in the demolition, reclamation and reinstatement of process plants and refineries for over 30 years and, as this award demonstrates, we are totally committed to working to the highest possible safety and environmental standards.

“We have a long-standing relationship with many major companies in the chemical, petrochemical and marine industries-including the dismantling of redundant offshore marine structures and ships. We have recently completed the dismantling and demolition of the BP Oil LLandarcy Refinery in South Wales.”

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17-Jan-05 - Able UK Ltd
PLANNING APPLICATION - TERRC, HARTLEPOOL

ABLE submitted a planning application to Hartlepool Borough Council for three new manufacturing facilities so that complete wind turbines can be manufactured on the TERRC facility, which is well placed for construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

The application also included for three new quays; two of which will provide a water depth of 18m and a new 122m dry dock gate.

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9-Jul-04 - Able UK Ltd
PORTS FACILITY EXPANSION - KILLINGHOLME, NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

ABLE have purchased a further 290 acres at Killingholme, bringing the total acreage of their new ports development to 673 acres. For further information please see ‘Port Facilities’.