Mark Lambert, property services manager for The Lights, which is owned and managed by Test Valley Borough Council, explained, "Reducing the need to work at height was our main objective with this project, and although safety was the number one priority for us, we also needed to be cost conscious. Following agreement on a suitable and affordable system with Hawthorn Theatrical, the company was appointed as the main contractor. Hawthorn subsequently specified Doughty Engineering as their hoist supplier."
Alan Jackson, Hawthorns said, "Following an initial site visit by one of our business development managers, it was up to us to present specification and costs for the project. This involved an AS system for motorised flying bars, control interfaces and an upgrade of the lighting bars, to enable the lighting bars to be winched to a comfortable working height and then back to an operational position. Fortunately, the council had taken a structural engineer's advice on the viability of this proposal prior to tendering, so it was all systems go from the minute we came on board."
Alan chose to install Doughty's motorised flying bars and control equipment, selected early on as part of the specification, and while time scale was an issue, Alan believes the relationship between Hawthorns and Doughty enabled a smooth installation which met all deadlines.
Alan explained, "The contract prescribed a period in summer 2013, when the theatre was dark, for the work to be completed. Any over run would have been costly for us as well as harming the theatre's reputation."
He continued, "We work with Doughty and recommend their products on many projects. We have a mutual understanding of how each other works and what the demands and requirements are. Working closely with Doughty's specialist custom manufacturing department allows us to phase the manufacturing and delivery to meet all deadlines."
Mark added, "Hawthorns and Doughty completed the scheme on time and within budget and we're delighted with what's been achieved. The appearance of the Doughty hoists is very neat, and the lowering and raising operation is swift and smooth. It is certainly a vast improvement over the time-consuming working at height processes that we previously employed. We look forward to continued support from both Hawthorns and Doughty to enable safe, reliable lighting set ups long into the future."
(Jim Evans)
