Shenton Group Runs Apprenticeship Program

28 August 2021

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Categories: News

Willoughby Long joins Shenton Group on a 12-month apprenticeship program. Working part-time as a Business Developer for our Generator Rental department, Willoughby will learn key skills and gain work experience whilst continuing his studies in business and marketing. Upon successful completion, we will be pleased to offer him a full-time role!

Shenton Group offers a supportive environment to young learners. As Richard Branson once said, “Train people well enough to leave, treat them well enough that they don’t want to.” We are a firm believer in this notion.

Willoughby explains:

Engines have always interested me. I was interested in the different types of projects and the mechanical side; that’s what attracted me to Shenton Group.
I had heard good things about the company as I have some friends that already worked here.

Willoughby has worked at Shenton Group for a month and has already integrated himself well into his team. We asked him: How have you found your time working at Shenton Group so far?

I have enjoyed learning new things, challenging but rewarding, it has been good fun, and the staff are friendly. It is very hands-on, and you get to speak to a variety of different customers.

Our generator rental fleet supplies generators from 30kVA up to 1250kVA. We are equipped to meet the demand of any bespoke residential, commercial, or heavy-duty applications 24/7, 365 days a year UK wide. If you need to hire a generator, give the industry experts a call. You never know, you might speak to Willoughby!

Are you interested in a career with us? Check out our careers page or get in touch about other apprenticeship opportunities.

Fuel Taxation and Power Generation – 2022 Law Changes

28 August 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Diesel Generators, Industry, News

As many will be aware, in March 2021 the UK Government announced impending changes to the way some fuel products would be taxed with effect from April 2022. Possibly the most significant of these is what’s widely known as ‘Red Diesel’.

For anyone unclear, red and white diesel perform in exactly the same way. Quite simply ‘red’ has a chemical marker added to distinguish it from white (or DERV [Diesel Engined Road Vehicle]) and because red wasn’t intended for road use, it attracted a far lower rate of taxation.

It should be noted that the red marker chemical also stains or dyes any fuel system component it comes into contact with, making it very easy for HMRC, VOSA etc to detect improper use!

These changes will inevitably affect power generation for both suppliers and consumers so how will these effects be felt?

There will be a number of exemptions to the changes. Specific areas of industry and business will be allowed to continue to use the lesser taxed fuel and more information on this can be found on the government website.

As with the introduction of many legislative instruments, this will be an iterative process and will inevitably be subject to a series of clarifications however there are some things that can be made clear from the outset.

If your particular industry or usage category is not clearly included in the above-mentioned government list, then specific and individual advice may be necessary and the Government provide a specific contact* for this purpose.
If you are part of a clearly identified industry, you will need to stop buying red diesel at a date appropriate to your typical usage rate and from there, move to white.
Affected businesses should NOT purchase red diesel which will then remain available for use after 1st April 2022.

The requirement for end users to have fuel tanks purged and flushed has been removed following consultation however emphasis is placed on NOT ‘stockpiling’ red diesel ahead of the transition which would clearly be intended for use after April 2022.

Given the degree of uncertainty affecting some aspects of the anticipated transition, be certain to retain invoices, orders and in general to maintain a clear and visible audit trail of related activities which – should an inspection take place – would then demonstrate the rationale and reasoning behind the current position of your business.

At the time of writing (August 2021) we can confirm the following points with regard to the use of HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) as alternative fuel:

HVO is a drop-in replacement and can be mixed with old diesel and there have been no compatibility issues recorded to date
From 1st April 2022, all HVO will have to be sold as road fuel and so have the additional tax applied, thus it will be more expensive than white diesel
The main selling point for HVO is a reduction in CO2 emissions which may be of interest to energy managers where their CO2 footprint is of importance. This is a result of the fuel manufacturing process and has no effect or bearing on exhaust emissions but when compared with fossil fuels, achieves a reduction of approximately 90%.

As with any fundamental change to the operation of essential equipment, it is always wise to check or ask questions specific to your own requirements before introducing an alternative fuel into your systems, to avoid any subsequent damage or reliability issues.

Please contact Shenton Group with any related technical questions.

Shenton Group Expands Recruiting Across the UK

27 July 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Industry, News

Shenton Group expands its workforce and has opened up various job opportunities, a mixture of office-based and remote engineering roles, across the UK. We ask our new employees how they have found working for Shenton Group so far.

The last 18 months of living through the pandemic have been challenging. It has brought added pressures in a magnitude of ways. Some businesses have shut up shop whilst others have been working around the clock to keep up with demand. It has been a trying time for all, but it has also opened new markets and new opportunities.

Shenton Group have experienced exponential growth, and 18 new team members have joined the Shenton family, and we still have some roles to fill! To view a full list of job titles we are recruiting for, please visit our careers page.

From Humble Beginnings, 1982 – 2021

Shenton Group is the continuous power industry leader with family-owned business values. We were founded by Richard Meek back in 1982, under the name of Outback Energy. Scorpion Power was established only five years later, a brand that rapidly became synonymous with reliable standby power generators.

Merging many brands under the Shenton Group name in 2010, the family-run business is now managed by Richard’s sons; Jody Meek Managing Director, Curtis Meek Sales and Marketing Director and Darren Meek as well as Derek Barry, the company’s Technical Director. Shenton Group now operates as a large corporate delivering million-pound projects and provides alternative power solutions to the nation.

What Makes Shenton Group Different as an Employer?

Ubay: “I feel appreciated at Shenton Group, and my work is recognised, rather than feeling like just another number. This workplace feels a lot more welcoming and supportive than other places I have worked. I enjoying coming into work in the mornings!”

Ubay is one of our new CHP Service Engineers, and he has now worked at Shenton Group for two months.

What attracted you to work for Shenton Group?

Ubay: The culture and professional image. I wanted to push my career, and there is the opportunity to develop at Shenton.

How have you found your time working at Shenton Group so far?

Ubay: I have found the team very welcoming, open and honest.

Millie is one of our new Service Coordinators and has worked for Shenton Group now for five months.

What attracted you to work for Shenton Group?

Millie: I heard good things about how the company was run and I was looking for something more challenging.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Millie: The variety within the role, the team and the atmosphere.

Kealan (pictured to the right) joined the sales and marketing team three months ago as Business Development. We asked her what attracted her to Shenton Group…

Kealan: The image the company gives has always been something which I wanted to be part of! I had already heard a lot about Shenton Group as my sister works here. The team culture and family atmosphere make it very welcoming and a nice place to be.

We want to say a huge welcome to all that have joined the team and thank you for all of your work so far.

We are always trying to improve workplace enjoyment for our staff; after all, a happy workforce means happy customers. If you are interested in taking your career to the next level or are looking for a new challenge, take a look at our careers page.

Shenton Group Expands Generator Rental Division

12 July 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Diesel Generators, Generator Rental, News

We congratulate Grant Barry as he is promoted to Manager of our Generator Rental fleet! Over the past year and a half, we have seen inquiries more than double, leading us to expand the department, and as a result, we are recruiting another Rental Assistant. For a complete list of current roles, please visit our careers page.

Our generator rental department already serves the whole of the UK. This latest expansion enables us to offer more customer support and faster response times to our growing client base.

Grant has been part of the Shenton family for almost four years now. In his first two years at the company, Grant worked as part of the projects team, installing permanent on-site generators before moving into the generator rental division, initially headed up by Lorna Barry, Grant’s sister. When the position became available, Grant saw it as a great opportunity.

We asked Grant what he enjoys about his role:

Everything! It’s a fast-paced, constantly changing environment, and we have a wide variety of clients that I have built some great relationships with. I enjoy helping people. I am the person that people call when they lose power. It can often be quite a stressful situation for them, so it’s gratifying to be able to offer a solution.
I am a problem solver, and I enjoy taking on challenging jobs which no one else can do and getting clients back up and running within the shortest time possible.

Client Feedback

Our clients are at the heart of what we do, and it is always valued to receive feedback on our efforts…

Following our recent power failure, I would like to thank the Shenton Group, in particular, the Rental division, for your help and assistance during that very difficult time. Shenton Group showed a very high level of customer service, which instilled confidence from the first point of contact through to completion. The personal approach and assurance were combined with the knowledge that Shenton Group had the expertise and equipment to deliver. These high service levels were also continued through to the staff on-site, and we would have no hesitations in recommending your services.

Facilities Manager – Retail Company

Shenton Expands Generator Rental Division

The last 18 months have been challenging in the height of the pandemic, but lots of new markets have opened up, exciting things are happening, and there is a bright future ahead for this growing department.

We ask Grant – Generator Rental Manager: What does the restructure means for you and your team?

The restructure for the rental team has been a fantastic milestone and results from the hard work of every member of the team. It has given us the perfect opportunity to review and reshape and also invest in the department to ensure we are offering our clients the best possible service at all times.

Push your career to the next level and join the Shenton Group team! Visit our careers page today!

Businesses Push to Reduce Carbon Footprints

22 April 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Combined Heat & Power, Environmental, Industry, News

There has been an ever-increasing focus on environmental issues over the years. Across the globe, people have switched the food they eat, where they shop and how they travel to reduce their global impact. On a larger scale, businesses have been reviewing their energy consumption and day-to-day operations in a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Technologies such as CHP, solar power, wind and other renewable power solutions have been on the radar for years.

CHP reducing carbon emissions

Shenton Group has helped countless organisations to reduce their carbon emissions, become more energy-efficient and reduce their energy costs by utilising CHP. Cogeneration can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 30% compared to conventional generation via a boiler and electricity purchased directly from the National Grid.

Over the past 13 years, we have been helping the following industries in their efforts to become ‘Green’ and more energy efficient by switching to CHP:

Hospitals
Universities
Data centres
Farming & Agriculture
Food & drink manufacture
Sewage and wastewater treatment facilities
Industrial
Commercial buildings
District Heating
Hospitality & Leisure

For more information on cogeneration and how your facility could benefit from CHP, read our Cogeneration Explained blog

What is Shenton Group doing to offset their carbon footprint and protect the planet?

In the bid to become more sustainable and with the deadline to ban the sale of combustion engine vehicles to 2030, Shenton Group is in the process of reviewing our fleet and moving across to electric, with charging points being installed at our offices.

Shenton Group firmly believes that if we all contribute something towards our environment, no matter how small, in the long run, it makes a huge difference. Just some of the small changes that Shenton Group has made include opting for ‘no bag’ deliveries from supermarkets; rigorous measures to dispose of waste ethically, recycling and reducing our waste as a whole, only using biodegradable bin bags, and sourcing FSC-certified recycled stationery from sustainable sources. These may seem like small changes, but in a year, and with the amount of waste that companies worldwide create, these small and easy changes make a big difference.

Power with responsibility

As a key player in the energy market, we pride ourselves on our technical ability and customer service in providing the best power solutions to the right applications.

The world is not in the position to move entirely to renewable power just yet, but conscious steps are being made in that direction.

If you would like to reduce your organisation’s global impact, get in touch today and speak to one of our technical experts.

We will review your facilities power usage and be able to discuss options that can:

Reduce carbon footprint
Reduce energy costs
Reduce or eliminate dependence on the Grid
Provide a Continuous Power Supply
Increased energy security
Free cool thermal bi-product

Read our case studies below to find out who we helped benefit from CHP:

CHP Solution for UK’s Largest Water Park

CHP Solution for DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

CHP Solution for Canterbury Christ Church University Halls of Residence

CHP Delivers Reductions in Carbon Emissions for CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)

Lorraine John Celebrates 19 Years at Shenton Group

25 March 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: News

We are delighted to celebrate the 19th work anniversary of Lorraine John, our Operations Manager. In 2002 Lorraine was recruited from an agency, initially starting as a Service Coordinator for Merlin Power.

Merlin Power Management was the maintenance arm of our power offering, and it complimented our other business, Scorpion Power that supplied and installed generators.

Working as part of the maintenance team alongside seven other office-based staff, Lorraine’s role consisted of liaising with our generator clients and booking our six engineers for maintenance visits. The team was much smaller back then, and we worked out of a little office on Weyhill Road in Andover.

2010 saw the country in recession and our customers were required to reduce their supply chain. This lead us to merge Scorpion Power Systems, Merlin Power Management and Power Call to become Shenton Global LLP, trading as Shenton Group.

As the company developed, Lorraine moved up the ranks to Team Leader and finally into her position today as Ops Manager for the generator and UPS side of the business. We are now 80 staff strong, and Lorraine has played a pinnacle role in the company’s growth over the last 19 years. We ask Lorraine:

What has made you stay at the company?

“I have found it a great company to progress in. I love the variety of tasks I have in my day-to-day role, and the different challenges I face. The company have been very supportive, and they are a great team to work with. I appreciate the opportunities I have had over the years. My job is very rewarding.”

What does a typical day entail as Operations Manager at Shenton Group?

“Liaising with Engineers, clients, building and developing processes, assisting in designing new systems, supporting the service department. My job is fast-paced, it always keeps me focused and on my toes!”

Thank you Lorraine, for your hard work and dedication over the years. The company would not be where it is without you.

Shenton Group Parts Department – Searching for generator, CHP or UPS parts?

4 March 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Diesel Generators, News, Products

The MD and driving force of Anderson Industrial Engines, Steve Hethershaw, has joined the Shenton team full time, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in engineering, generators and engine parts.

We are continuously looking for ways to improve our service to our clients, so this synergy couldn’t have come at a better time to ramp up our Parts department!

Steve Hethershaw and the Meek family go way back as this is not the first time Steve has worked for the Meeks. From 1989 – 1996 Steve worked as a Parts Manager for Scorpion Generators. He played a key role in shaping the business in its early days, where the company earned its reputation for providing reliable generator solutions and technical expertise. Like his role today, Steve was the friendly, helpful voice at the end of the phone that ensured you had everything you required. 2021 sees Steve return to a much larger company that now incorporates Scorpion Generators, Merlin and Power Call into what is known today as Shenton Group, offering 360-degree, turnkey solutions to your power needs.

With many years of experience working as an engineer, Steve can assist with a magnitude of technical questions, from getting the right parts, advising on the best tools to fit them and troubleshooting. You will be in safe hands.

The Parts department is under development, and a lot of exciting ideas are being discussed, such as an online store making it easier to view and order parts. Watch this space!

Fully equipped with the parts you need!

Shenton Group’s parts department offers our clients a vast range of generator, UPS and CHP parts from filters, spark plugs, breakers, cable and all other consumable items right through to oil, fuel and spill kits. If you have something in mind that you need or require some technical assistance, get in touch today, our friendly team of technical experts are happy to help!

Next day delivery on ex stock products
Access to all engine manufacturers spares
Genuine & aftermarket options
Technical support & parts identification
Sound friendly advice

For all enquiries email [email protected]. Alternatively, please give us a call on +44 (0) 344 888 444 5

Shenton Group – Aspiring to be the Industry Employer of Choice

3 March 2021

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Industry, News

A company is only ever as strong as its employees; a happy team equals happy clients. As you may know, we put a lot of work into creating an upbeat and safe environment that allows our employees to excel, promoting teamwork with a family feel. In recent years we have developed processes and workshops that heavily focus on enriching our employees, providing a clear road map for development, and equipping individuals with the tools to grow.

Champions of Change

December 2019 saw us deliver the Champions of Change program, with development, engagement and support being at the heart of all we do. The enrichment program provides top training courses for personal and professional development and charity fundraising incentives to support the local community.

Champions of Change is all about looking after yourself and those around you. Community is one of the foundations of the program. Shenton Group’s goal is to have a positive impact in the industry as well as in peoples lives, giving people the opportunity to be the best they can be.

Health Care Support

Support for our employees goes further than just the workplace.

Mental health has been getting a lot of coverage in the media, especially in these challenging times through COVID19. Our employees have access to GP services, counselling, legal assistance, all in their pocket via an app.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

Pre pandemic, we would often have external trainers into our offices providing guidance and life skills on a range of topics. As face-to-face training isn’t an option at the moment, a number of our team have been upskilling online. Shenton Group puts significant investment into training and development, and we have some great courses in the pipeline when face-to-face training is safe once again.

Development of our Training Station for Apprentices

There are plans to develop a training area for new engineers and apprentices. We are a fast-growing team and have a lot of involvement with the local colleges and universities around our HQ in Hampshire. Talks of workshops and courses are in the pipeline so that young professionals can learn best practices before they head out into the field. Bridging the gap between education and the workplace is something Shenton Group are passionate about, and what better way to do it than getting involved with the local community. This is an exciting development. Watch this space!

Industry Employer of Choice

Shenton Group is over 80 staff strong. The average time an employee stays within the team is five years, with some of our longest-serving employees having worked here for more than three decades! There are a couple of dinosaurs walking around with a lot of experience!

We ask some employees what their experience is working at Shenton Group:

“The family feel is definitely apparent. There is a level of care and transparency throughout the company, and management do all they can to support you and your goals. This is, by far, one of the best places I have worked. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a fair number of people who do leave ask to come back.”

Nicole Wells – Brand Manager Shenton Group

Engineer Andy Ralph suffered a heart attack and explains the support he received from Shenton Group. “I was blown away by the backing I’ve received throughout”, Andy stated. Hear Any Ralphs story.

Working With Shenton Group

By offering healthy work culture that promotes trust, integrity and development, we encourage all of our employees to flourish. Along with offering competitive staff benefits, we aim to attract the best talent. We still have a long way to go and certainly don’t claim to have everything right. However, the ‘Champions of Change’ belief and mindset is really gathering pace. Over the past year, we have seen an influx of job applications coming directly to Shenton Group. This is a step in the right direction in our journey to becoming the Industry Employer of Choice.

Are you interested in joining the team? Check out our careers page or get in touch!

13 Years of Service…

20 November 2020

Nicole Wells

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Categories: News

Last month we said goodbye to a valued member of the team. Marcus Dodworth, Key Account Manager, specialising in large scale and Biogas CHP projects left on a high after completing 13 years of service at Shenton Group! Known for his meticulous attention to detail, sense of humour and love of flying planes, Marcus now spreads his wings once again, starting up a new venture within the industry.

We thank Marcus for all of his hard work and dedication over the years. Being a keen pilot, Marcus was presented with a Shenton Group branded hand made model plane to commemorate his time with the team. Marcus was overwhelmed with the gesture.

We asked Marcus what he would miss…

“Lots. Where to start … if I had to name one – probably the open culture that enables you to have very frank conversations even at the highest level of management, and to know that you’ll always be listened to.”

How have you found working within the Shenton team?

“It has been a great experience from start to finish. I had the opportunity to work alongside a group of professional and dedicated people, with a real passion for what we do. The collective level of capability across the whole company is significant.”

What have you enjoyed?

“The culture of the company is very much work-hard / play-hard, so I really enjoyed some of the recreational stuff that we’ve done together.

Also, the opportunity to travel to a number of different countries for work has been great fun.”

Marcus, very driven and business proud, has shared a lot of knowledge over the years and secured countless biogas CHP projects. He has educated many and provided a lot of value to the team. We thank you once again for all that you have done for Shenton Group, and we wish you the very best of luck in the future!

Colleague Of The Month September 2020

9 October 2020

Nicole Wells

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Categories: Colleague of the month, News

Shenton Group has been working around the clock throughout the pandemic providing support to clients of national importance. We have engineers all over the country that have been protecting organisations from power outages. And it has been our top priority to reduce the risk of any further disruption, from what 2020 has already thrown at us.

When things are busy or times are difficult, it can be easy to get caught in the rush. Things can get overlooked and forgotten. We use ‘Colleague Of The Month’ is a time to pause, reflect and give thanks to members of the team that have been putting in the extra mile.

Celebrate Your Team

As a company, we understand that to keep a team strong and headed in the right direction, it is important to listen and celebrate great work. After all, behind every great team stands great individuals. This brings us to congratulate Tom O’Malley, one of our Service Engineers that covers Scotland and the North!

No one can deny that Tom O’Malley has put in the extra miles. He recently travelled 254 miles to visit a client in Stornoway from Edinburgh, a 7-hour trip one way!

Working During COVID19

COVID19 has affected every business in one way or another. As expected, some of our engineers had to shield, but this is where we saw engineers like Tom step up. Longer journeys to clients and longer shifts really highlighted the dedication of our team.

We asked Tom about his experience of working throughout COVID19:

” It has been difficult travelling between England & Scotland with different rules; it was a bit confusing at times, along with the constant threat of COVID19. However, I have stuck firmly to the government guidance, socially distanced and appropriate PPE. It is not the most enjoyable experience to work in these conditions, but we are committed to our clients.”

Colleagues have noted that Tom goes “above and beyond his duty”.

Working for Shenton Group for nearly eight years now, Tom explains what he did before this role:

“Having served my time as a truck technician, I knew that working in a workshop was not for me and wanted to specialise into more big engines work. I worked for a power generation company rebuilding & repairing large engines around the UK and Europe where I got the bug for some paid travel!”

“I then moved to work offshore carrying out similar works but the standing around and watching Jeremy Kyle for days on end until the chopper arrived became too much to bear, so I left and joined Shenton Group….”

Working At Shenton Group

We asked Tom how he finds working at Shenton Group:

“I’m pretty lucky working for the Generator & CHP Department. I get a lot of variation in my job role from fault finding, engine rebuilds and service work, it’s never dull. It’s a good feeling leaving site with a happy client and a running engine be it a CHP or a standby generator.“

Once again Tom, we would like that thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, you are an asset to the team. Enjoy the bottle of bubbly and voucher as a token of our appreciation.

We are currently recruiting for a number of roles on our careers page. If you would like to join our team, get in touch!

Shenton Group Runs Apprenticeship Program

Fuel Taxation and Power Generation – 2022 Law Changes

Shenton Group Expands Recruiting Across the UK

From Humble Beginnings, 1982 – 2021

What Makes Shenton Group Different as an Employer?

Shenton Group Expands Generator Rental Division

Client Feedback

Shenton Expands Generator Rental Division

Businesses Push to Reduce Carbon Footprints

CHP reducing carbon emissions

What is Shenton Group doing to offset their carbon footprint and protect the planet?

Power with responsibility

Lorraine John Celebrates 19 Years at Shenton Group

Shenton Group Parts Department – Searching for generator, CHP or UPS parts?

Fully equipped with the parts you need!

Shenton Group – Aspiring to be the Industry Employer of Choice

Champions of Change

Health Care Support

Personal and Professional Development Courses

Development of our Training Station for Apprentices

Industry Employer of Choice

Working With Shenton Group

13 Years of Service…

Colleague Of The Month September 2020

Celebrate Your Team

Working During COVID19

Working At Shenton Group

Latest News

Understanding HVO Fuel: A Comprehensive Guide

When Would I Need a Rental Generator

FAQ’s