MUREX CHOSEN FOR HARSH
TRAINING ENVIRONMENT

Sentinel Training, based in Shrewsbury, needs to be sure that all its equipment is ultra-reliable and robust enough to withstand the harsh treatment meted out by students. So when it came to kitting out its welding department, the company chose Murex to ensure trouble-free operation and a long service life.

Established in 1987 as a partnership, Sentinel Training became a limited company in 2001. Having continually expanded over the years, the company is able to cater for large and small organisations, providing training and consultancy services in everything from electronics and machining, through to forklift truck driving and first aid.

Around 40% of Sentinel's business is involved with welding training - MMA, MIG and TIG, with courses running from one week for basic training through to seven weeks for completing NVQ units. Students include 16 -18 year old apprentices and unemployed people who receive training under the Employment Training Services scheme, but Sentinel finds it is catering more and more for private companies where adults need to improve technique or learn new skills.

Up to six students can be accommodated at any one time - Sentinel having six individual welding booths - each fully equipped with Murex welding machines to carry out welding on test pieces and assessment items in a large range of materials including mild and stainless steel, aluminium, and other non-ferrous materials.

At Sentinel, as in any training establishment with a large cross section of students, the equipment is not always treated with a great deal of respect. Mr. Paul James, Managing Director at Sentinel, endorsed this fact,

"When people are learning they don't exactly care for the machines and don't always treat them too kindly. All our equipment is in use for 30 - 35 weeks a year and gets quite a bashing." "When we were looking for the right equipment for our welding courses, our local supplier came along and demonstrated the Murex range to us and left them for a couple of weeks on trial. We were immediately impressed and realised the equipment would be ideal for our requirements. We have now had some of the machines for over seven years and none of them has ever given any problems at all. Murex is certainly very robust equipment."