October 2020

The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) – the organisation that represents the business interests of UK and Irish suppliers of liquid pumps and related pumping equipment – has recently awarded the highest possible mark to a very worthy student on completion of its Essentials e-learning course. In what is a milestone for the BPMA, since introducing its programme of online training courses back in 2012, the maximum 100% mark has been attained by Shane Bates of KSB. Over the past eight years, many talented individuals have been put through their paces on this course, with some very high marks being handed out, but none have secured the very top mark until now. In recognition of this attainment, and to help ensure his pump training continues apace, Bates was awarded a free place on the BPMA’s residential ‘Certified Pump System Auditors’ (CPSA) course held this month (October) in West Bromwich, valued at £1750.00. KSB’s managing director, Dale Croker, says: “We actively encourage and support participation in the BPMA training NEWS BPMA Essentials e-learning course awards first perfect score courses as part of the continuous investment in our staff, and so it is great to see such an achievement coming out of that ongoing training programme. Since joining the KSB team, Shane has shown a keen interest in understanding as much as possible about our products and the wider pump industry. He has an obvious thirst for knowledge and an eagerness to learn more which has been aptly rewarded by this perfect score. With the benchmark set to maximum, we have high expectations for his ongoing development.” Steve Schofield, director and chief executive of the BPMA, adds: “We were thrilled to see Shane achieve the perfect mark, a first for this training course, and are delighted to offer him a complimentary place on the next CPSA course, which I’ve no doubt he will pass with flying colours.” Doosan Infracore Europe has appointed Leicester-based Pioneer Plant Ltd as the new authorised Doosan dealer for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and the PE and NG postcode areas of South Lincolnshire in the UK. Pioneer Plant is now solely responsible for sales and servicing of the Doosan crawler, wheeled and mini/midi excavator, wheel loader, articulated dump truck and attachment ranges in this area. As the latest addition to the UK dealer network for the Doosan construction, quarrying and mining equipment range, Brian Conn and Steve Corner, joint partners in Pioneer Plant, offer over 40 years of plant dealership experience for both new and used equipment. Together, Conn, Corner and their team provide a wealth of knowhow to advise and support customers with their plant purchases and how Doosan products can be used in their businesses. New orders Conn comments: “Pioneer Plant is delighted to be representing the Doosan brand in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire. As well as many new prospects, there is a high existing population of Doosan machines in our area which we have taken under our wing. We have received a great response from customers and have already secured orders for over 25 new Doosan machines. “I head up the sales operation at Pioneer Plant and Steve is responsible for the aftersales, covering service support and all other aspects of the aftermarket for our customers. We guarantee a fast response for all our customers, as we are based in the Woodside Business Park on the outskirts of Leicester with easy transport links via the A46, only minutes away from the M1 motorway.” Commenting on the expansion of the Doosan dealer network in the UK, Anthony Pearce, UK & Nordics Regional sales leader for Doosan Infracore Europe, says: “We are very pleased to appoint Pioneer Plant as a new Doosan dealer. They will bring tremendous expertise and a new focus for our customers in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire. Pioneer Plant will offer an unrivalled level of service and customer support in this vibrant part of the East Midlands market.” Pioneer Plant expands Doosan UK dealer network Discover the program of spirals made of PVC nylon www.hosestech.it • UL 94 V0 fire resistance • Halogen free • Temperature - 30 + 110 • Meets the norm EN UNI 45542-2: 2015 • Degree of risk HL1 - HL2 - HL3 Requirements set R22 - R23 FLEXSPIRAL/FR-EXTRA new protection spiral for railways Shane Bates (centre) celebrates receiving his certificate with KSB’s managing director, Dale Croker (left), and Bates’ manager, Ajay Sharma, internal sales manager for general business (right).