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Steve Vick International Wins Coveted Trophy at IGEM Lions’ Lair Event

April 5, 2022

The popular London Showcase and Lions’ Lair took place on 10th February 2022. 

Steve Vick International (SVI) presented one of their latest innovations, FBOS (Foambag Operation on Stubs), and won the coveted Tommy McNicholas Shield.

FBOS is a method of replacing short lengths of T1 stubs, stranded mains, or those found on mains replacement schemes. For diameters of 4” up to 6”, including one-way fed, in sensitive locations or where access onto the main is restricted.

The shortlisted finalists had four minutes to showcase their new innovation followed by four minutes of questions from the judges.  Nicole Fever, Development Technician at SVI delivered an excellent presentation which, combined with this innovative technique, won the judges over on the day.

 

It was all the more fitting because, not only was Nicole heavily involved in developing FBOS, (Foambag Operation on Stubs) but she won this highly prestigious award during National Apprenticeship Week.  Nicole started at SVI as an apprentice back in 2017 and completed her apprenticeship in 2019. It is therefore a huge success story and inspiration to other engineering apprentices.

Following the Lions’ Lair there was an excellent presentation from keynote speaker, Hilary Buxton, Director of Engineering, Cadent Gas, who gave a talk on the challenges facing the industry with the potential transition to hydrogen.

The event was organised by David Goodall on behalf of IGEM’s London, Southern and Eastern Section in conjunction with the Pipeline Industries Guild.