A new chapter in the history of The Automated Technology Group has

begun with the acquisition by Wood Group, aglobal leader in the provision of services to the oil & gas and power generation industries.

The Automated Technology Group will operate within the Automation and Controlbusiness unit of Wood Group Mustang, which isa Wood Group business and headquartered inHouston, Texas. Headed up by Mark House(pictured above with Andy Robinson), this teamis highly focused and an ideal partner to helpdevelop the operations and solutions of TheAutomated Technology Group.

Andy Robinson will remain as CEO, based inSilsoe and supported by the same seniormanagement team. The Directors have

emphasized thatthere will be nochange to theorganisationalstructure, businesslocations, products or services for theforeseeable future.

“The combination of ATG’s expertise within the manufacturing sector and Wood Group’sstrength in process automation creates anunrivalled force in industrial automation,”commented Andy Robinson. “Along with theglobal footprint and impressive reputation ofWood Group – which is present in 50 countriesand has a turnover of more than $7 billion –this will help us to offer an even brighterfuture to both clients and staff.”

ACQUISITION PAVES THE WAY FOR GROWTH

Inside this issue:

ANOTHERSUCCESSFULYEAR FORAPPRENTICES

SNEAK PREVIEWOF CHRISTMASPARTY

EXCITING SOCIALEVENTS

SPONSORSHIPNEWS

SPOTLIGHT ONGARETH BULL

www.atg.gb.com

DEBUT FOR NEWFOOTBALL KIT

News across the group

September 2015 Issue 8

IET ACCREDITATIONACHIEVED

Believing in the importance of apprenticeshipsin the development of a new generation ofyoung and talented engineers, The AutomatedTechnology Group congratulates itsapprentices at Bedford College andBirmingham Metropolitan College on achievingoutstanding BTEC grades. “We are delightedto say that 27 of our apprentices havesuccessfully completed their BTEC this year.Of these, 17 apprentices across the first andsecond years of the programme achievedDistinction grades,” commented Training

Manager, Pauline Nichols. In addition, fiveapprentices achieved Distinction or Meritgrades for all units, which The Academyrecognized by awarding them gift vouchers.

Kristina Zubareva, Marketing Assistant

The Automated Technology Group’s footballteam recently sported its brand-new kit in afriendly match against local side, CaddingtonFC. Unfortunately, the new gear did not help to secure victory – the team lost the game 3-2 in what was a close and exciting match.The whole team really enjoyed the game andhopes to win the next fixture against CaddingtonFC in April next year.

Paul Baxter, Shop Floor Team Leader

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR APPRENTICES

FROM THE CEO’S DESK...My Co-Directors and I gave very carefulconsideration to the offer from Wood

Group. We accepted it because we believethat Wood Group is an ideal partner to supportour future growth. Another important factor wasits ethos; Wood Group has seven Core Values – Safety & Assurance, Relationships, SocialResponsibility, People, Innovation, FinancialResponsibility and Integrity – that make itsbusiness principles very similar to ours.

I am delighted that we will be working withWood Group to build on the fantastic growthwe have achieved over the past twodecades. As a class leader in resourcinglarge, multi-discipline projects, Wood Group

can help us to scale our resources, enablingus to win larger contracts. Wood Group’sdiverse skill base and huge operationalnetwork bring exciting career opportunities foreveryone. We will enjoy fresh challenges andthe opportunity to educate ourselves indifferent technologies and business sectors.

Whilst the acquisition is a significant changefor us all, I am convinced that it will ensurethat The Automated Technology Groupcontinues to go from strength to strength.

Andy Robinson, CEO

This year’s Christmas party will take place atWillen Lake in Milton Keynes on 5 December andwill be an extravaganza of sights and sounds tostimulate the senses. With the event entitled 'TheDream Circus', guests will be transported to amythical black and white world. Expect theunexpected as the marvellous and mysteriouscircus acts take to the stage for yourentertainment during a sumptuous four-coursemeal. To join the fun, put your name down onthe teamsite. If you have any queries, pleasecontact a member of the Social Committee.

SNEAKPREVIEW OFCHRISTMASPARTY

DEBUT FOR NEWFOOTBALL KIT

Johnny Bangs, Junior Planning Engineer

IET ACCREDITATION ACHIEVEDWith continuous investment in apprenticeships,The Automated Technology Group is delightedto announce that its apprenticeship scheme – The Academy – has been awarded theprestigious three-year IET (Institution ofEngineering and Technology) accreditation.Established over 140 years ago, the IET is a keyprofessional society for the global engineeringcommunity, driving technological innovationand providing support to almost 160,000members across 127 countries.

The Automated Technology Group is pleased tohave the quality, structure and programmemanagement of its Technician Apprenticeshipscheme recognised by an independent board

of trusted industry experts, linking the programmeto the requirements for registration as anEngineering Technician, Incorporated Engineeror Chartered Engineer. “We could not behappier about the positive feedback and are very excited about the additional career opportunities that completing theprogramme will now offer our apprentices,”commented Training Manager, Pauline Nichols.

Kristina Zubareva, Marketing Assistant

The Blues finished their strong pre-season campaign with animpressive 13-27 win over the Scarlets atLlandovery's Church Bank on 30 August. TheBlues went on to kick off their Greene King IPAChampionship season in the best possible stylewith a 23-29 win against Bristol at Ashton Gateon 6 September. The 2015/16 British & Irish Cupfixtures see Bedford Blues being grouped withBristol, Ulster Ravens and Scarlets PremiershipSelect. The Blues will open their cup campaignwith an away trip to Wales to face the Scarlets inmid-November before welcoming Ulster Ravensto Goldington Road on 21 November. A doubleheader against Bristol will follow in rounds threeand four, with Bedford travelling to Ashton Gateon 11 December before the reverse fixture athome on 19 December.

Kerry Thompson, Apprentice

After a reasonably successful season, LutonTown FC has started its new campaign poorly.August saw just one win, three draws and threelosses. They did, however, show signs of thetenacious team spirit from last season in thepenalty shootout against Premiership Stoke Cityin the Capital One Cup. The Hatters havebegun September much more positively,however, with a 2-1 win over Leyton Orientfollowed by a 1-3 win over Cambridge United.

Paul Baxter, Shop Floor Team Leader

Austen Greenway, Senior Simulation Engineerand driver of the racing car sponsored by TheAutomated Technology Group, has had mixedresults recently but is now on track for success.He had a terrible start to the season, with abroken gear linkage and the wrong tyre choicealmost putting an end to the chance of overallsuccess after the first two rounds. Then, however,the season improved with the car beingdeveloped and honed throughout the year. Withonly two rounds left, Austen is in second place inthe class championship but it is very tight, withonly eight points separating first, second andthird and a possible 32 points up for grabs. Thefinal rounds are being held at Donington Park on3 and 4 October.

Matt Challinor, Senior Project Manager

AUSTEN ON TRACK

LUTON TOWN

BEDFORDBLUES

EXCITING SOCIAL EVENTSJERSEY BOYSPAINTBALLING

We have vacancies on The AutomatedTechnology Group Social Committee and arelooking for people with fresh ideas for fun events.We are a diverse team of people who cometogether to bring colleagues exciting activitieseach year. If you want to be involved, please donot hesitate to contact the Social Committee. We are here to make your ideas happen!

NEW MEMBERS WANTEDStaff will visit London’s Piccadilly Theatre to seethe internationally acclaimed production ofJersey Boys in late September. This hit musicaltells the remarkable rise to stardom andeventual break-up of one of the mostsuccessful bands in pop music history, the1960s rock ‘n’ roll group, The Four Seasons.

After the amazing feedback received after lastyear’s paintball game, the Social Committeehas decided to make this an annual event inSeptember. At this year’s event, players willonce again take part in various types of role-play scenario and will get the chance tocover their rivals in paint!

Johnny Bangs, Junior Planning Engineer

The AutomatedTechnology Group’s Social Committee hasbeen busy organizing a number of events.Autumn will feature twotrips – one to the WestEnd and one to a localpaintballing centre.

DIARY DATESPPMA Show, 29 Sep – 1 Oct, NECThe Automated Technology Group will onceagain be exhibiting at the PPMA Show, theUK's premier processing and packagingautomation exhibition.

If you have an idea for anevent or feedback on eventsheld to date, please feel free toemail your social committee atsocial@atg.gb.com

Staff from The Automated Technology Grouponce again took part in the annual SilsoeStride charity fun run held at Wrest Park, hometo the group headquarters, on 28 June 2015.As the founding and main sponsor of theevent, The Automated Technology Group wasparticularly delighted that Craig Palmer, amember of its panel shop in Silsoe, came firstin the 5K adult race with an impressive time of16 minutes and 49 seconds. Craig is aseasoned sportsman, having competed inseveral duathlons and this year’s LondonMarathon, as well as being an active memberof The Automated Technology Group’s golfsociety. Andy Robinson, CEO, presented themedals to the winners and thanked everyonewho participated. The funds raised by the2015 Silsoe Stride – which also included acharity raffle, a cake sale and a barbecue –will be shared between Silsoe Village Hall,Silsoe Millennium Green Trust, Silsoe LowerSchool and Barton Rotary Club.

Kristina ZubarevaMarketing Assistant

CRAIG WINS SILSOE STRIDE

In this issue, we turn the interview spotlight on Gareth Bull,Managing Director of PSJ Fabrications Ltd.What brought you into this industry?The British Army – I was an apprentice at the RoyalEngineers Apprentices College in Chepstow.

What’s the most exciting thingabout your job?Getting excited about sheet metal is a job initself! However, I do get a great deal ofsatisfaction from manufacturing a product thathas a lot of technical elements – something thatsets us apart from other fabrication companies.

Who inspired you most in your career?Len Dopson, Managing Director of LDFabrications in Wellingborough. He started hisbusiness in 2001 and gave me my firstopportunity in a management role, having thebelief that I could make the transition from shopfloor to office. He always made himself availablefor picking his brains and still does even today.

If you were an item in awarehouse, what would you be?A broom – I can’t stand mess and disorder!

If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?Nothing; I think I have made the best of everyopportunity that has come my way.

What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?During a posting in Denmark, I played in goalfor my regiment in what was billed as a‘friendly’ football match against a DanishArmy eleven. When my children were growingup and beginning to get into football, I usedto tell them the story about how their dad wasonce capped at international level. The storystarted to unravel, however, when theyproceeded to tell the whole school duringone of their assemblies, making the followingparents’ evening interesting, to say the least!The lesson here is: never lie to your kids.

Who or what makes you laugh?Tim Vine and US sitcoms.

Do you have any hidden talents?Absolutely none.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?Open a bar on a Caribbean island – the exactlocation is yet to be decided but the workwearpolicy of shorts and flip-flops really appeals.

What’s your favourite book of all time?Gary Lineker’s autobiography. I’m not a bigreader – I usually hang on for the filmadaptation to be released.

Who would be your perfect party guest?Her Majesty the Queen. I met her in 1994during her visit to Belize, where I was posted atthe time. She’s an amazing woman.

What is your guilty pleasure?Watching ‘Friends’ – I try and catch an episodea night. Sad, I know.

Do you have any secret ambitions?To spend a week at the South by Southwest(SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. Eachyear when I listen to coverage on the radio, Itell myself “this time next year”. My wife getsconcerned about an impending mid-life crisiswhen I speak about it though.

What’s your dream holidaydestination?New York City. My favourite city, even more sosince my wedding there last year.

Name your three favourite moviesof all time.‘Back to the Future I’, ‘Back to the Future III’ and‘Back to the Future II’ – in that order. Part II was a little unrealistic for my liking.

What’s your favourite pastime?Playing golf and watching Leicester City FC –both are probable causes of my constant frown!