FEATURE // MEMBER NEWS
And they’re off... for a celebration! The industrial solutions specialists at APD recently enjoyed a day at the races as they marked two significant landmarks – 35 years in business and 25 years as a Member of SELECT
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MBER Programmable Design (APD) has been saddling up for celebration recently as it marks becoming an industry thoroughbred with 35 years of success under its belt. The firm, which is based near Annan in Dumfriesshire, has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in a garage in the small village of Eastriggs in 1987. The past decades have seen an office relocation, expansion into Aberdeen, multiple re-brandings, a cabinet-full of awards and a host of successful partnerships – with SELECT by its side for quarter of a century. Today, APD is responsible for the design, manufacture
FIONA SMITH
Membership Representative
“WE’D JUST LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS – HERE’S TO THE NEXT 35!” 26 cabletalk JUNE/JULY 2022
and installation of more than 8,000 complex control systems and turnkey packages across 22 countries worldwide. From water treatment plants and nuclear and hydro power sites to oil platforms, ships and submarines, APD’s skills are also utilised in factories across a wide range of sectors including automotive, food, distilling, laundry and pharmaceuticals. This expertise means it has worked on some fascinating and ground-breaking projects in conjunction with some of the world’s best known brands, including Nestlé, Nissan, Pirelli, McVitie’s, Aker, British Gypsum, William Grant & Sons, Helix, Magnox and Scottish Water. Jim Main, Technical Director at APD, said: “When we first started out, the equipment used in control systems dated back to the industrial revolution and computerised systems were in their infancy. “However, the developments over the last 35 years have provided a seismic shift in the options and capabilities available for us to design, build, programme and install systems. “But of course, none of this would have been possible
without our talented and hard-working colleagues, some of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.” To show their appreciation for this loyalty, Jim and fellow director Elliot Graham marked the firm’s 35th birthday with a day out for staff at Carlisle Racecourse in May. As well as laying on a first-class spread of food and drinks, the company sponsored the most
Elliot, far right, and John Strong (retired director) receiving Panel Builder of the Year award in 1995