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Corus joins forces with Shell Global Solutions

31/01/2007

Corus joins forces with Shell Global Solutions in continuous improvement drive at Teeside cast products

For the second time in two years, Corus, the international steelmaker, has joined forces with Shell Global Solutions to implement a project that will help enhance the steel manufacturer’s business performance. This time it is Corus Teesside Cast Products – one of the company’s steel-making sites in the UK – that is set to benefit.

Shell Global Solutions’ MERIT™ programme, which transfers risk-based methodologies, tools and techniques to client manufacturing sites, has already been successfully applied many times in the oil and gas industries. In 2004, a three-year MERIT™ programme was initiated at one of Corus’ main steel-making sites based in Scunthorpe, demonstrating the transferability of risk-based asset maintenance across two different industry sectors.

Corus Teesside Cast Products has now appointed Shell Global Solutions to carry out a four -year, asset management and reliability improvement programme for the business.

Jon Bolton, Managing Director of Teesside Cast Products at Corus, said: “Shell Global Solutions has a reputation for operational and technical excellence in the refining industry and they have proved that this expertise can be tailored and transferred with great effect to our industry sector.”

Risk-based maintenance was one of the prime areas identified and prioritised by Corus during a performance review several years ago, when Shell Global Solutions advised how the methodologies, operational knowledge and services developed in the oil industry could be used to benefit the steel industry.

Indeed, the European Commission’s recent cross-sector project RIMAP – Risk-based Inspection and Maintenance Procedures for European Industry – concluded that a risk-based approach, as used in the petrochemical industry, constitutes best practice.

Greg Lewin, Shell Global Solutions’ President, commented: “The key business challenges faced by production facilities all around the world are very similar.

“All manufacturing industries – including oil and steel – are looking for ways to increase the reliability of their assets while at the same time, optimising and reducing their maintenance costs.

“The MERIT™ programme from Shell Global Solutions helps businesses achieve just that, and our team is looking forward to the challenge of working with Corus again to develop a clear plan for sustainable improvement at Teesside Cast Products.”