THE FINAL WORD

To round off each Issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question

What advice would you give to an entrepreneur entering your industry?

Adam Pickford

Sales Director, Ontic

“Safety is critical – whether that is the safety of your people or the safety of the equipment you are working on, there is no room for error in the aerospace industry. Customer relationships are also vital. The global industry is worth billions, but you need to nurture relationships and collaborate to be a true success.”

Edward Verbakel

CEO, VB

“Collaborate and be of added value. In order to be considered relevant, scale is required. Today’s demand for growing solutions is substantial, and to meet that demand we must collaborate. We founded Atrium Agri to share knowledge and benefit from economies of scale. At VB we like to work together! Alone you may go faster, but together you will reach further!”

Jamal Sultan Al Mohammadi

Director of Sales and Marketing, Qatar Post

“I would advise an entrepreneur to give traditional post companies like us the opportunity to help them through our dedication, service ethic, and experience.” Are you a CEO or Director with a company story to tell? Contact EME Outlook now!

Nikhil Patil

CEO, GO Plc

“You are only as strong and capable as the team you surround yourself with. Build a team with the same ideals, an aligned purpose, same drive and stamina – a team you enjoy hanging out with as much as you enjoy working with. Relationships are key. This should be the first priority. From a business perspective, don’t be afraid to be bold, to fail fast, learn and move on.”

The aerospace OEM of choice...

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ONTIC

MANUFACTURING

ONTIC

MANUFACTURING

Recently, Ontic introduced a menopause commitment for its employees globally, and across its operations, the company sets aside the time required to regularly talk about and reflect on how its employees are feeling, and what could be done to better wellbeing where needed.

“We make a point of talking about wellness at all times, and not just when there are awareness days, weeks and months, but we also leverage these opportunities to shine a spotlight on challenges our people may face,” Pickford adds. “At Ontic, we say we are ‘more than just the sum of our parts’. We really are focused on our people – they make Ontic what it is.”

COMMITTED TO PEOPLE

This care is reflected in the company’s success, not only operationally, regarding its growth and expansion, but also proven by milestones reached and recognition earned.

“We’ve had a very successful 2022! Following our win at the Insider Made in South West Awards, we will be making our way to the Insider Media National Finals in Liverpool in June 2023,” Pickford says. “We have been recognised in the Best Companies awards as a top company to work for in the South West. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago we were listed 17th in the annual manufacturing Best Companies list.”

Ontic is further undertaking a number of initiatives to grow and strengthen its expertise, including open days, career fairs and partnerships with organisations including STEM Returners. Traditionally, the STEM Returners programme offers 12-week placements to those in STEM careers returning from a career break or from military service, but Ontic recognises the value of experience, and so is offering four permanent positions at its Cheltenham site.

“Our early careers programmes are also important at Ontic,” Pickford continues. “Last year, we increased our apprentice numbers by 300 percent and are looking to double this again this year - we also take on interns and graduates. In 2023, we are launching our US early careers programmes. In support of our US commitments, during National Apprenticeship Week US, we signed a proclamation to mark the 85th anniversary of the Apprenticeship Act.

“Finally, one of the benefits we are able to offer is global mobility. We have a number of graduates and employees who have made the move from the UK to the US or vice versa. Sharing their knowledge and skills helps us operate better as a global company.”

AEROSPACE AHEAD

For Ontic, the future of aerospace will continue to be defined by both excitement and challenge. According to Pickford, sustainability is a key driver for everybody involved in the industry, and fuel will form a major part of this.

Ontic increased its apprentice numbers by 300 percent in 2021 and is aiming to double this figure again in 2022

The way Ontic manufactures is also likely to change with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and additive manufacturing (3D printing).

“Recruitment also presents a challenge with the current global skills shortage,” he reveals. “This is why we are so committed to our early careers programmes and growing capability that can sustain the industry long into the future. As well as our own programmes to shape the next generation, we are also partnering with organisations including The Tomorrow’s Engineers Code.”

The Code, launched in 2020, is a commitment to work towards common goals to increase the diversity and number of young people entering engineering careers. Centred around four pledges, signatories commit to inspiring connection, driving inclusion, showcasing engineering and improving impact. With over 200 signatories and supporters – including the Department for Education, Network Rail and Shell – The Code is powered by Engineering UK.

“We will continue to work closely with our customers and licensors to ensure that our experts have the latest knowledge and capability to deliver the highest quality outputs moving ahead into the decade.”

www.ontic.com

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TAKING FLIGHT ACROSS THE POND

Ontic is seeing rapid global growth in a jet-fuelled industry. Sales Director Adam Pickford discusses the current aerospace and defence sector, and takes us through the company’s operational expansion in Europe and the US

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Kierron Rose

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www.milaha.com CorporateComms@milaha.com Tel: +974 4494 9666

company, but a firm eye must be a source of immense pride for the core values, the history of Milaha is

transformation journey,” he acclaims. innovation, the key pillars of our digital with Microsoft is built on trust and

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strong results to date,” he adds. our health and safety practices with this, we also worked on strengthening

MILAHA

concludes proudly. maritime and logistics needs,” Swidan to being a one-stop-shop for different leaders, we can attribute our success that serve a wide range of industry integrated supply chain solutions

As is maintained in the company’s continued excellence of service. alongside these changes to ensure the within the sector, and ready to pivot position, prepared for inevitable shifts places Milaha in an enviable industry of adaptability to new technology, combined with a highly efficient level

This forward-thinking approach, services from Qatar to the world.” and develop the continuity of our platforms, as we strive to safeguard “Our long-term partnership adds Swidan. provide more insight to customers,” seamless and friendly experience, and customer problems, create a more the latest new technology to solve

“Our plan for the future is to use technological strategies. services, among other new innovative, inspections, and dynamic pricing for based survey work, remote subsea has experimented with droneand petrochemical sectors, as well as major importers, exporters and shipping companies. “We understand that needs don’t just change from client to client, they to ensure our employees’ wellbeing, and to make sure our valuable staff are aware of all the health and safety procedures and measures required during the pandemic period,” continues Swidan. “We have also signed the Neptune Declaration and worked with various stakeholders to allow crew and sea farers relief and replacement. Besides Ontic has told its story. biggest players in the oil and gas we developed a number of initiatives such as ‘No Employee Left Behind’ Project Manager: Cameron Lawrence Writer: Ed Budds

and sustainable services

our reliability and diversity. In offering us from our close competitors include “The key strengths that differentiate valuable legacy. kept on the future, in order to leave a workforce and our technology security and productivity of our solutions to ensure the guaranteed new Microsoft technology tools and

“We look forward to adopting technology. In this way, the company for customers using existing building more innovative solutions Going forward, Milaha is working on

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

of services to some of the region’s safety excellence. “During the COVID-19 pandemic delivers a comprehensive range

essential to achieving health and

The maritime and logistics division

manner, is recognised by Milaha as are carried out in a safe and ethical

delves into the company’s safe, reliable, We talk to CEO, Mohammed Swidan, who

Mohammed Swidan.activities and striving to continually ensure that the company’s activities our values,” opens CEO of Milaha,

principles into everyday business faceted titan of the Qatari shipping industry.

Milaha has expanded vastly into a multion safety, quality and our customers, to provide an enriching work environment, and to always live by improving the health and safety of all individuals associated with the company, Milaha imparts a safe, secure, and healthy work environment. The integration of safety Now, why not tell yours? Our bi-monthly magazine EME Outlook is essential reading for Committed to protecting and deliver reliable services by focusing national and international regulations. this, the company looks to deliver a sustainable level of growth to all its existing shareholders. “We are looking to consistently business through the implementation of its environmental management system. This system provides the framework for carbon intensity reduction, waste and emission management, sustainability of resources, and compliance with business executives wanting to keep up with the latest in global news and trends affecting international presence. Alongside associated with its operations, and to increase the sustainability of the home market, as well as a strong the impacts on the environment remains clear: to be the partner of choice in the maritime and logistics sector, with a dominant share in its SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS Milaha works diligently to minimise European and Middle Eastern businesses across all industries.

Reaching an audience of over 395,000 readers, your company can take advantage of exposure in EME Outlook with a FREE article and FREE digital brochure, as well as access to further digital and print-based marketing tools that could transform your business.

To share in this unrivalled opportunity, contact one of our project managers today!

The overarching vision of Milaha well as the oil and gas sector.– MOHAMMED SWIDAN, CEO, MILAHA

equipment facility management, as CREATE A MORE SEAMLESS AND FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE AND PROVIDE MORE INSIGHT TO CUSTOMERS” distribution, industrial and heavy NEW TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE CUSTOMER PROBLEMS, industry including warehousing and “OUR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IS TO USE THE LATEST various key aspects of the shipping strategic pillars of business, covering MILAHA SUPPLY CHAIN partners. The company strives to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable services and products through its HORIZONS dedicated staff and world-class transport and supply chain solutions, and is supported by an expanded, modern fleet of vessels, state-of-the art equipment, modern technologies, BRIGHT a focus on providing integrated transportation and logistics, with a strong regional foothold in Milaha has meticulously built

region. TOWARDS and logistics service providers in the strategically developing over the next six decades to become one of the largest, most powerful maritime SAILING journey as a shipping agency,

Ecompany, Milaha began its Qatar’s very first registered stablished back in 1957, as

SUPPLY CHAIN

MILAHA QATAR POST | CARBONAUTEN | VIVO

Issue 50

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Pursuing rapid global growth in a jet-fuelled industry

GO PLC Unmatched television, network and telecoms provision across Malta VB Innovating modern greenhouse construction in Europe and the US