Rob Muir
Customer Experience
Rob began his career employed initially by Lloyds British at one of the Company’s longest established branches in Romsey. He progressed when an opportunity arose to work for the Middle East Operation of LBT as a test and inspection engineer responsible for Local Government and in country Oil companies. The position required him to gain Government approval for Safety and Technical Capability. He began his management role at this time by taking overall responsibility for a team of immigrant nationals from various parts of India. As these operatives had little technical expertise, and usually even less spoken English, their management, direction, and supervision, was often challenging. On-site safety was a high priority, and this required close and detailed control of all operatives.
The works entailed the inspection, test and return to service, of Oil-rig platform deck cranes and associated specialist tackle. Working in a foreign land with high responsibility for the work and the workforce, provided Rob with firm foundations in management and allowed him to develop personal strengths and qualities from a very early stage in his career.
During the late 1990's and early 2000's Rob built upon his early experience, returning to the UK to operate as a service and inspection engineer, initially for Street CraneXpress and then for the prestigious Demag Cranes and Components of Banbury. These positions were highly customer focused at the 'Sharp End' of the Industry. This customer centred experience gave Rob a firm grounding in the business-critical requirements of clients.
Skills & Responsibily
In 2007 Rob became a Regional Manager at Lloyds British Testing Ltd with responsibility for engineering services.
The role involved management of 3 business branches across the United Kingdom, with responsibility for a team of 15 inspection and maintenance Engineers and 3 Branch Managers, plus a National Sales team.
Here Rob honed his management skills. Reporting directly to CEO level and successfully managing several teams provided invaluable foundation skills and experience for running his own enterprise in later years.
Coupled with his management responsibilities, Rob was also tasked with providing technical support and contract management to the largest Thorough Examination contract on the south coast, at Esso Exxon oil Refinery in Fawley, Hampshire. 4000 items of loose, and fixed, lifting accessories were all examined under UKAS RG 6. He also structured technical support processes which were provided to the client and all site operatives.
As a direct result of this role, in 2010 Rob became the Lead Contract Support Engineer at EnerMech of Aberdeen with responsibility for supporting the Exxon Mobil, Apache NSP Beryl Field, and Talisman Energy Term contracts.
He was responsible for the timely delivery of all operations connected with the EnerMech Cranes care contracts for Exxon, Apache, and Talisman, whilst also supporting the North Sea production Cranes and Lifting Equipment Technical Authority. This involved the procurement of replacement and refurbished crane parts, technical resource and back up for resident crane technicians.
This role demanded a high degree of client interface to reinforce the support offered by EnerMech. This client facing role involved day to day liaison with management at all levels together with budgetary control of £9 million.
First Class Expertise
October 2013 saw Rob’s return to Lloyds British Testing Limited but with a new role as Country Manager of Operations in Iraq. Providing seamless services against the backdrop of such a war torn and volatile region is a demonstration of the diverse skillsets that Rob has ultimately brought to his own business.
He was responsible for the start-up and establishment of a new branch office business in Basra, Iraq, administering and managing the entire process within the political and cultural constraints of that country. The role encompassed everything from the most fundamental requirements of promoting and securing core business activities, to administering and negotiating joint ventures with other suitable companies.
On a technical level, he was responsible for the entire operation including, but not limited to, inspection, including 3rd party NDT activities, pre and post weld repair to mobile crane chassis’, MPI of pad eye lifting points found on vessel skids and lifting frames, test certification, technical review and acceptance, technical support and project management, and specification regarding overhaul and new crane supply, delivery of Method Statement, Risk Assessment / JSA and project planning..
Then it was time for Rob to branch out on his own with the formation of Hoists and Cranes UK Ltd. Rob knew that his experience in the industry would allow him to create a company with the first class expertise and the commitment to providing the best service to customers both large and small.