Houghton International proudly secured the esteemed Manufacturing Innovation Award at the Made in The North East Awards, last night (March 15, 2024). At the heart of this win lies our groundbreaking initiative – our wind turbine repair and life-extension project – which has redefined industry standards and showcased true innovation.
The journey began in the Faroe Islands, where a prominent energy provider struggled with frequent breakdowns in their wind farm. These failures struck a staggering ten years before the turbines were anticipated to reach the end of their lifecycle, with subsequent investigations attributing the premature collapses to adverse weather conditions.
Undeterred by the scale of the challenge, our team of experts rallied together. We refurbished the hub, motor, and stator with meticulous precision and determination, breathing new life into the wind turbine and ensuring its continued operation within its initial lifecycle.
Before our intervention, the only recourse would have been costly replacement – a solution laden with financial burdens and environmental repercussions far outweighing repair benefits.
The significance of our accomplishment was finalised by the award judges, who remarked, “Innovation is ingrained into Houghton International’s core values, continually adapting and pioneering electro-mechanical repairs as technology evolves.” They further commended our recent introduction of an innovative service to the wind sector, noting a substantial increase in wind turbine repair inquiries as a testament to its success.
Our moment of triumph unfolded amidst the glittering ceremony hosted by Insider, which was dedicated to celebrating the trailblazing enterprises of the North East. We feel pride for being recognised as innovators and champions of excellence within our region.
For Houghton International, this accolade serves as both validation and inspiration—a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to excellence in all endeavours. As we forge ahead, we will continue to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and drive positive change within the industry and beyond.
