During 2020 SELLA CONTROLS has been able to progress the Tracklink^® product suite across many projects. These have included solutions for Network Rail, Transport for London and Docklands Light Rail. Some of these projects have resulted in major product developments and also industry milestones for the business. The headlines are as follows:

Tracklink^® SCADA deployed to Docklands Light Rail. During the last 12 months SELLA CONTROLS has been in the process of replacing the existing Siemens Rail Com Solution at Docklands with a new Tracklink^® SCADA system. The new solution features a quad server architecture, geographically based in two locations (Poplar and Beckton Control Rooms), interconnected via a diverse A & B communications network. This diverse network consists of an OTN based solution (Line A) and CISCO Networks Solution (Line B).

The servers connect to circa 50+ Siemens Fastflex RTU installed across the network. These are providing DLR with the control of AC/DC Substations, Station Telecommunication Assets and Tunnel Ventilation Control (SIL Certified implementations) at Bank Portal and on the Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal river crossings.

The staged expansion of the DLR network over many years since the first Cromos System went live on the Lewisham Extension, saw functionality introduced. As a result, the MT700 Protocol has been adapted several times. As part of the Tracklink^® SCADA rollout, we have implemented 4x different MT700 versions into Panorama E2 to allow us to interface to the different Fastlfex RTU builds. This includes 3x different processor types (FF014, FF014e and FF015e).

As part of the FAT process we completed a 100% I/O check in parallel with DLR’s existing reference model and also completed on site pre commissioning with individual RTU and entire sub systems to confirm a working solution. Running parallel to this has been User Acceptance. The system is now in over & back migration testing with the ‘Go Live’ date scheduled for later this month.

Tracklink^® RTU achieves latest product acceptance. Following the completion of the trial installation at Euston, the Tracklink^® RTU has now achieved acceptance from Network Rail for use with DNP3 Serial. This was completed using a Tracklink^® RTU connected to the FoxSCADA System at Rugby. The RTU has now been in operation since December 2019. The solution featured a distributed architecture consisting of a Master RTU with three remote I/O panels providing control of power on the Euston site. With the TPCMS trial site deployment now scheduled at Feltham Depot, Tracklink^® RTU product acceptance continues to achieve its product development milestones.

Tracklink^® P₂P achieved full acceptance for both AC and DC networks last year. Its deployment across all routes has been extensive and supplied either directly or via E&P contractors and Network Rail delivery teams. New product developments are in place and ready to be launched later this year. Watch this space for future up dates.

For further information or the opportunity to visit our new Rail Support Offices, please contact Chris Elliott, Business Development Director.

SELLA CONTROLS are delighted to announce record Sales Orders of £13.9m for our Financial Year 2020; a truly excellent performance across all areas of our business.

Our Process Safety business achieved significant growth driven by work in our traditional market for safety systems combined with growing consultancy and support services. In Rail Systems we continue to generate growth across our Tracklink^® range of applications, SCADA works and station improvement programmes, whilst also developing international opportunities.

Sales Orders consisted of a good mix of engineering projects, modification works and recurring revenues from assurance, consultancy and support services with diversity across our markets. We enter the new financial year with a strong order book providing a solid platform on which we will maintain momentum whilst also providing mitigation against a slow down due to the current COVID crisis.

Our Sales Revenues were £12.6m, a growth of 20%, also setting a new record for our business and representing a doubling of sales revenues in the past 3 years. All areas of our business generated good returns, which we again reinvested as we continue to enhance the quality of our engineering expertise and range of solutions, developing new products, systems and applications. We are investing in our functional safety assurance, consultancy and system design offering and have also invested in new facilities for our rail systems support operations.

Opportunities for securing new contracts remain strong, supported by an extensive list of project pursuits. The range of engineering systems and solutions we offer provides numerous opportunities, with our industry mix continuing to give us resilience and the ability to meet future challenges.

We are continually updating our plans to manage the COVID situation. We have invested in systems to enable staff to work effectively from home and alongside this undertaken extensive work to ensure our premises are COVID secure. We are able to work effectively and are engaging closely with our partners, customers and suppliers and are confident we are able to manage through the crisis.

Our outlook remains positive and these continue to be exciting, albeit challenging, times as our business continues to drive forward as an independent safety systems integrator. We commence the new financial year with a strong order book and excellent new sales opportunities, underpinned by industry and product diversity.

 

John Blackwell

Managing Director

The current COVID-19 restrictions on travel and social distancing means that traditional client attended Factory Acceptance Tests are not possible for all projects at this time.

However, this presents the perfect opportunity to use technology to develop new methods for these activities. These pictures show us performing a remote FAT for a solid state SIS logic solver.

Using a combination of fixed and mobile cameras, coupled with clear procedures and detailed test cases, we were able to take the client through the functionality of the system and allow them to inspect the panel build.

 

The Joint Venture offers over 50 years of experience in the delivery of Functional Safety Consultancy, Training and workshops. The Joint Venture will allow the collaboration and development of a growing Functional Safety and Cyber Security Training business.

With SELLA CONTROLS’ experience in delivering Functional Safety applications, and C&C’s international experience in providing the prestigious TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Engineer and Technician certificate courses, it provides an excellent fit for both businesses.

John Blackwell, SELLA CONTROLS’ Managing Director commented; “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with C&C Technical Support Services and look forward to a great future with them. It is the making of a great relationship which strengthens our Functional Safety business.”

Clive Timms, C&C Technical Support Services Managing Director commented; “SELLA CONTROLS have a great reputation for delivering Functional Safety solutions and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver Functional Safety and Cyber Security training and consultancy.”

Company Brief – C&C Technical Support Services

Established in 2002 C&C Technical Support Services (C&C) is based in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and has over 50 years of experience in the process sector specialising in the application of the IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 standards for Functional Safety. The company provides expert engineering training and consultancy support to global process industries including oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation (including nuclear) and water. The training provision benefits from blending a wide spectrum of practical experience into all courses. This is taken form the many years of extensive involvement in Process Hazard Analysis, SIL determination risk assessment methods, SIS design, SIS verification, SIS validation as well as operations and maintenance activities. The company also has a ‘proven-in-use’ methodology for undertaking Functional Safety Assessments for FS related projects and operations and maintenance.

C&C is a leading global provider of the prestigious TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Program, and were one of the first companies approved to offer courses within this program. All of the consultants are FS Senior Expert or FS Expert (TÜV Rheinland) as well as TÜV Rheinland approved trainers for the following courses:

• Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland) SIS
• Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland) PH&RA
• Cyber Security Specialist for IACS (TÜV Rheinland) CySEC
• Functional Safety Technician (TÜV Rheinland) SIS

The company provides a schedule of open public training in the UK and overseas or in-house training, and the latter can often be customised to meet clients’ specific needs. All training is also available as interactive Virtual Classroom sessions, and examinations can be taken at a later date in a number of global locations.

C&C strongly believe that no matter where someone sits within an organisation, or what roles and responsibilities they have, everyone should have a clear understanding of the hazards present, what is in place to provide protection against them and why.

T: 013398 86618

E: info@silsupport.com

W: www.silsupport.com

Firm expands operation in county – Article by Leicestershire County Council

 

 

SELLA CONTROLS Ltd is set to create new jobs after becoming the first business to set up shop at a new £5.5m industrial park in Coalville.

Apollo Court Business Park was developed to boost business in the town by supporting start-ups and firms looking to expand.

We invested in Apollo Court as part of our corporate asset investment fund, which aims to boost the local economy and generate income for frontline services.

SELLA CONTROLS, which specialises in developing functional safety systems for a range of industries – including the rail industry, is taking advantage of this approach and expanding its operations in Coalville.

The firm, which works with companies such as Network Rail, Transport for London and Bombardier, has offices in Ashby and Stockport.

Ian Wright, Chairman of SELLA CONTROLS, said that the unit at Apollo Court was in an ‘ideal location’.

He said: “We needed to explore looking for industrial space as our equipment such as PPE and materials was taking up space in our Ashby offices.

“The unit in Coalville was ideal as it is close to our offices, based in the East Midlands and has accessible links to London. It is a blank canvas, fit for us to use however we want.

“It was important for our development to get this unit. Our business is growing, and this expansion means we have new vacancies available.”

One of the firm’s designs is a unique system that ensures that automatic doors on trains open at the right time and place when stopping at a station.

Ian said: “There are currently new trains being built that will be coming into service. However, trains are getting longer and longer, but platform lengths stay the same.

“We have developed a beacon that goes onto the rail track so when a train passes over it, it gives off a signal which states which doors open upon arrival and more importantly, which ones stay closed.

“We’re the only company in the country that does this.”

However, Ian and his colleagues, who took over the company in 2007, do not plan to stop expanding the business in Leicestershire or even the United Kingdom.

He said: “The company has been going for 46 years and my business partners and I have spent 13 years developing the rail side.

“I’m proud we have built a workforce of 110 people and have sustained relationships with big companies.

“We’ll now be looking to expand our systems in Europe.”

A range of high-spec industrial units ranging from 1,000 to 9,000 sq. ft. (92-836 sq. m.) are still available at Apollo Court.

 

I’m delighted to see the first business move into Apollo Court.

“Supporting businesses is important; it helps boost our local economy and creates jobs.

“SELLA CONTROLS staying within Leicestershire proves how attractive the county is as a place to not only work, but live, invest and socialise. We have been very pleased with the level of occupier interest in the units and hope to make some more announcements soon.”

Person: Councillor Byron Rhodes, county council deputy leader

 

The venture is part-funded by a £2.4m grant from the Local Growth Fund, a pot of government funding awarded to the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP) for projects that benefit the local area and economy.

Kevin Harris, chair of the LLEP, said: “Our Local Growth Fund was set up to benefit the wider economy of Leicester and Leicestershire. SELLA CONTROLS’ move to the Apollo Court Business Park in Coalville is the culmination of a project that will see jobs created and revenue generated in the local area.

“I’m proud that the LLEP was able to support this project, and deliver a top-class site for businesses to move to and thrive now and in the future.”