Martin's Journey
Martin left school at 16 years old and worked for British Rail in York in the Signals & Telecommunications department. He spent one day a week at York Technical College undertaking a HNC (Higher National Certificate) in electrical engineering. Then, at 22, Martin joined Spectra-Tek’s Display Division in the test department. On his first day, he found it was just him with a big box of repairs, an oscilloscope and an AVO meter.
The publication below is from 1992 and shows the team outside Spectra-Tek's head office 'Swinton Grange'.
After three months, the Display Division was sold, and Martin joined the test department for the flow computing products. While in the test department, he would calibrate the H212 Meter Simulators and H213 Densitometer Synthesizers. Martin tested the very first IS Mercury terminals and the Wave Alert leak detection systems alongside Graham Shail. He also tested the first 869M flow computers manufactured in 1981.
Around 1983 Martin gave training to SUMED engineers on diagnosing faults on the 869M flow computer. Little did he know that he would be visiting SUMED in Alexandria, Egypt numerous times over the next 39 years. In 1998 Martin project managed and commissioned an S500 flow computer system, replacing the 869M system. In 2016 Martin revisited the SUMED site to discuss upgrading from the S500 system to an S600+ flow computer system.
Welcome to Swinton!
Martin joined Swinton in July 2009 as Service Manager and became Swinton Technology’s Engineering Manager in 2015. Being the technical authority for our system and product designs he spent a lot of time pushing to standardize our solutions with a major emphasis on quality. He was very much in favour of supplying high-quality solutions and was ideally suited for performing pre-FAT inspections so that customers only attend FAT when systems are ready. In addition, he spent a lot of time helping others, sharing his knowledge, and working with the proposals team on bids.
On his last day in the Swinton Technology office, Martin said 'Working for Spectra-Tek and Swinton Technology, I've had the pleasure of travelling to many countries; South Africa, Netherlands, Italy, the Middle East, and Indonesia, not to mention many weeks on North Sea oil platforms. I was on the Piper Bravo platform in January 1987 when my wife started giving birth to my daughter Alex. The Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) allowed me to travel on the next helicopter.'
'I have very much appreciated the hospitality given to me by customers; this has allowed me to see the authentic side of countries I have visited. It has also been a pleasure mentoring new starters and seeing them gain confidence and excel in their role.'
Martin will be missed by the Swinton Technology team, both personally and professionally.
We all wish him the happiest of retirements!