The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Primark owner in prime position
An Aberdeen-based oil and gas training expert has won a UK-wide industry award for his “outstanding contribution” to the practice of non-destructive testing (NDT).
Ray Wilson, managing director of Altens-based Array Training, was presented with the Nemet Award and £550 prize at the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT)’s annual accolades in Telford, Shropshire.
Mr Wilson worked for a variety of oil and gas training organisations in the Aberdeen area before cofounding Rigmar Training Centre, now Array Training, in August 2012.
To date, he has carried out NDT training and certification in more than 27 countries with in excess of 15,000 oil and gas workers.
He is responsible for organising the invigilation of examinations and lectures in all NDT methods, and arranges training courses in a wide range of specialist subjects, including weld and painting inspection, site coatings and corrosion protection.
Mr Wilson, who lives near Ellon and has worked in NDT since 1990, was ap- pointed chairman of the north-east Scotland branch of the BINDT in 2014-15.
On receiving the Nemet Award, he said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be given such recognition by the national body for NDT after steering Array through some difficult times amid the oil and gas downturn.
“It’s such an honour and it made the trip down to Telford all the more worthwhile,” he added. Primark owner Associated British Foods has again upped its full-year profit outlook after being boosted by strong sales at the low-cost fashion chain.
AB Foods expects fullyear sales at Primark to rise 13% on a constant currency basis, with the UK seeing particularly strong turnover growth of 10%.
Like-for-like sales are forecast to come in 1% higher at the fashion chain.
The retailer said strong Easter trading helped drive sales this year, which meant less discounting.
Its latest trading update added: “After a good first half, third-quarter trading was particularly strong in the lead-up to
“Our consumer offering meant markdowns at lower levels”
Easter, benefiting from comparison with prior year results that were affected by poor weather and an earlier Easter holiday.
“Favourable weather in the fourth quarter and the strength of our consumer offering resulted in markdowns at lower levels than normal.”
The company, which also has a sugar and grocery business, said adjusted operating profits were likely to be “well ahead of last year”.
AB Foods, which generates revenue in Asia, Europe and the Americas and owns Twinings tea, Kingsmill bread and Silver Spoon, has also benefited from sterling’s collapse following last year’s EU referendum vote.
The group said the Brexit-induced collapse in the pound would see it benefit to the tune of £85million this year
However, the company again noted that the British currency’s demise against the dollar had led to higher import costs at Primark, causing a fall in the chain’s first-half profit margins.