Project: Upgrade of all electrical and communications systems at a fish feed plant

International fish feed supplier Nutreco recently upgraded its fish feed production plant in the Hobart suburb of Cambridge, Tasmania. The upgrade of the facility, which operates as Skretting Australia, included an extensive $3m rewiring of the entire plant by electrical services company Pacific Services Group (PSG) Tasmania. Skretting Australia is Australasia’s leading supplier of commercial fish feed. The plant was officially opened by Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings in September.

Electrical components required for the upgrade - which was dubbed Project Triton - were fabricated in Norway and delivered to Australia in more than 150 shipping containers. “This extensive electrical upgrade was delivered on time and on budget by the highly skilled staff at PSG Tasmania, all while the plant remained operational,” said Skretting’s Manufacturing Manager Stig Stover. Stover was the officer responsible for the project. “This was a major logistical challenge and we couldn’t be happier with the way everything turned out,” he added.

PSG Tasmania’s role in the upgrade involved more than 27,000 construction hours completed by up to 25 on-site workers, enabling the plant to double its production capacity to more than 25 tonnes of fish feed per hour.

In association with Skretting operations and the Triton Safety Organisation, the project produced a total of 108,000 man-hours with only eight lost time injury hours. Three hundred and seventy one external contractors were inducted and operated on site during the project.

Skretting Australia’s policy at the start of the project included a non-negotiable demand for construction White Cards to be held by all inductees. The project was delivered in accordance with international standards of safety and quality. “The overall outcome with respect to safety is something that all involved should take pride in and Skretting Australia will launch a nomination for the 2011 State Safety Awards,” said Stover.

PSG provides contracting solutions for major construction and infrastructure projects, as well as operational, asset monitoring and maintenance services for clients across Australia. The company’s regionally based business units provide services to sectors such as health and aged care, defence, social, justice, mining, manufacturing, commercial and retail.

PSG recently bagged the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) Tasmania Award for the best Industrial Project - Large at a ceremony at Tattersalls Park in Elwick, Hobart. Four companies across five categories received the top state award in front of over 260 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government officials. Other winning projects in 2011 included the electrical, lighting, voice and data installations throughout the new Hotel Collins, Tasmanian Polytechnic campuses and an IGA supermarket. The list of winning companies included BJ Banks Electrical, Contact Electrical and Giles Electrical Contractors.

Pacific Services Group

www.psgcorporate.com.au