Advanced Industrial & Marine Services, Inc.

Small Business Audits

aimsintl — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:44:33 +0000

We recently went through three weeks of customer audits. The questions made total sense; but they were intended to verify that our ISO 9001 certification was valid. Since we have completed two three-year cycles of registration audits, we really questioned the need for these detailed all-day question sessions.

What we found is that big company paranoia has set in. They are afraid that many small businesses have bought their certificates. Or, they think that we can get through an audit by picking out evidence that complies with the requirements.

The reality is this: a small business will not have a full staff to keep up with the large volume of records that these giant corporations demand. There are many valid records of transactions that come out of normal day-to-day business. It seems to me that a company should simply keep those records in order and be able to produce them on demand. That should be enough.
When the decision is made to NOT put in the effort to get certified, it should not be a point of contention with the big companies. It just takes longer to go through the complete checklist to verify the business practices that a small company must perform to stay in business. Like it or not, that is the essence of ISO 9001.

It is just good business.

Electrically Non-Conductive (ENC) Fencing

aimsintl — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Electrically Non-Conductive (ENC) Fencing made from fiberglass composite parts can fill many roles. Being non-conductive makes the fence an excellent choice as an isolation panel in an electrical substation. Those that need an electric fence would find the benefits of using ENC Fence material with reduced voltage loss over distances and less components (You don’t have to insulate the wire from the steel post). The ENC Fencing is near invisible to airport radar systems and has extremely low signal loss for radio frequencies due to the composite material and the 70% open mesh.

Rugged – Materials used in ENC Fencing are non-corrosive and do not require any coatings or maintenance. The materials have been used in chemical plants, aquariums, waste management systems, and quite extensively offshore in the oil and gas and, shipping industries. When installed properly this material lasts through major storms and is even warranted by AIMS International to survive hurricane waves offshore.

Deterrent – The ENC Fence is difficult to break through and cannot be cut by any standard fence cutting tools (torch or bolt cutters). Time must be spent sawing through the fence paneling with special blades to break through. Also, when making a hole in the fence it must be made large enough to allow whatever you need to pass through; you cannot “stretch” open the ENC Fence like you can a chain link fence.

For more details on ENC Fencing, contact SalesEng@aims-intl.com

Can your offshore grating survive the wavezone? How about a hurricane?

aimsintl — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:02:25 +0000

Galvanized steel grating located offshore on platforms and drilling rigs is a big maintenance expense due to the rapid corrosion rate. The worst corrosion for steel grating and handrails is experienced in areas in the wavezone or splash zone, such as the top of jacket walkways and boat landings. In these areas the operators typically have to replace galvanized steel grating and handrails due to corrosion about every three to four years.

Fiberglass grating and handrail systems, if designed properly, manufactured properly, and installed properly, will last the life of the platform and will not need replacing due to corrosion. The equivalent Fiberglass grating and handrail systems installed in the wavezone will also withstand the severe wave and wind loads generated from a Class 5 hurricane. We guarantee it!

The Bright Light Foundation

aimsintl — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:59:29 +0000

For many years now, AIMS International has been a proud supporter of the Bright Light Foundation, an all-volunteer organization which was founded in 2003 to provide financial assistance to families in the oil field industry who have experienced a catastrophic illness. Being an all-volunteer organization allows the foundation to distribute essentially all of its funds net of actual event expenses to families in need.

The foundation’s first recipient, Tammy Bright, was a diabetic who dealt with many complications related to the illness, including heart damage, kidney failure, and blindness. Tammy, in name and in spirit, provided the inspiration for the organization’s name. On May 15, 2006, Tammy passed away due to complications from diabetes. Tammy was an inspiration to those that knew her. The Bright Light Foundation continues to assist those in need in the oil field industry in her name.

None of us expect to experience a catastrophic illness, but in reality, they strike often and can quickly deplete the financial resources of families. Families of those working in the oil field industry who are incurring extensive medical expenses associated with a catastrophic illness can apply to the foundation for financial support. Annually, the foundation selects one or more recipients from submitted applications. Applications can be found on the foundation’s website.

The Bright Light Foundation invites individuals and companies to support its efforts through direct contributions and/or participation in their annual gala, auction, and golf tournament. Folks may also elect to support the foundation by donating items for the annual auction. If you are just now learning about the Bright Light Foundation, we would like to encourage you to learn more about them at www.brightlightfoundation.org and, if compelled to do so, make a donation or get involved.

Aggies in the SEC

aimsintl — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:29:12 +0000

Starting July 2012 Texas A&M will participate in all SEC sports during the 2012-13 academic year. That gives the SEC 13 members, its first addition since South Carolina and Arkansas joined in 1992. Some are worried A&M’s departure will jeopardize the future of the annual football game, currently played on Thanksgiving night, between the Aggies and Texas, which started in 1894.

Texas A&M’s move to the SEC has already proved to be very beneficial as their media exposure has increased greatly in the short time since the start of the football season. Texas A&M was the host of ESPN’s College Gameday earlier this season. They also featured segments of the Midnight Yell on ESPNU.

With Texas A&M joining the SEC, they will face the last 6 National Championship winners, as part of their regular season. Texas A&M is scheduled to take on the LSU Tigers this Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Kyle field. This match up should be one of the toughest home tests the Aggies will face this season.