May, 2015

Alistair Carmichael related his experience of a visit to Robbie Fluid Engineering as keynote speaker at the Annual Regional Dinner for the Federation of Small Businesses. He said “People like Mark go to great lengths, work long hours and take big risks to establish small businesses. Whatever their reasons might be, the efforts of small businesses should be supported and not hindered by Government.” Praise indeed. Robbie Fluid Engineering Ltd, have built up their specialist fluid engineering business and have now moved to new premises in Bathgate. RFE (Robbie Fluid Engineering) originally opened operations in 2006. Based close to junction 3a on the M8, a great central location, the Robbie Fluid business offers a wide range of pneumatic, hydraulic, and associated seals and filtration products and components. The aim of the business is, first of all, taking care of fluid related problems and where appropriate, bringing technology and expertise within easy reach of everybody involved in business, regardless of whether they run a large industrial site, manage a smaller maintenance, construction or commercial vehicle operation, or simply an occasional user of spares or component parts. Last year RFE were runner up as Business of the Year, judged by West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, and this year were highly commended for demonstrating excellence in the development of staff skills and knowledge. Managing Director Mark Robbie reports on RFE’s success, “we realised years ago that we could not expect the market place to deliver people to match our skill and knowledge needs, so we decided to further train our own staff. Recently our first in-house trained apprentice became a qualified engineer and within five years we expect half of our work force to be aged 25 years or younger. We were recently visited by the Secretary of State for Scotland who had heard about our training successes. We have simply grown from strength to strength”.

• Posted on May 5th, 2015

Thomas Casey and Callum McCarthy share their experience of the work-based learning Modern Apprenticeship scheme while working for the Bathgate-based firm Robbie Fluid Engineering.

21 year old Thomas Casey left school at 16 with no clear idea of what career he wanted to pursue. After starting on the Get Ready for Work training program he worked on a placement with the firm Robbie Fluid  Engineering and was successful in securing a Modern Apprenticeship with them. Thomas works closely with customers to solve their problems and specifically enjoys the variety the job has to offer.  He routinely machines bespoke parts for customers to ensure that nobody goes away disappointed.

Mark Robbie the director of Robbie Fluid Engineering said, “Thomas has been a huge asset to the business. He is fully committed to his work and has developed exceptional problem solving and customer service skills over his time within the business.” Thomas said, “one of my proudest moments was completing my apprenticeship in April 2014.” Since then Thomas has continued his career with Robbie Fluid Engineering and has been given the opportunity to continue his development. He recently completed a National Fluid Power Course and is a qualified first aider.

Callum McCarthy is 18 and is currently going through his Modern Apprenticeship with Robbie Fluid Engineering. He started straight from school at the age of 16. Callum enjoys the hands on nature of the role as well as the practical machine work he is learning from his mentors within the business. He also finds attending West Lothian College one day per week invaluable as it not only improves his skills and understanding but also gives him the opportunity to share his experience with other apprentices working in similar fields.

Mark Robbie said, “Callum’s confidence in dealing with customers has improved dramatically in the two years he has been working with us and we are keen to expose him to all areas of the business so that he has a good understanding of the value he adds.”

Thomas, Mark Robbie and Callum of Robbie Fluid Engineering

• Posted on May 4th, 2015

Robbie Fluid Engineering Ltd Highly Commended up in 2014 at the Chamber of Commerce Awards night.

The Highly Commended award was gained in the category for Excellence in Supporting Staff Learning and Development. The dinner was well attended with categories for Business of the Year, Business Woman of the Year and New Business Start-Up of the Year.  Recently qualified apprentice Thomas Casey attended the Dinner event together with Managing Director Mark Robbie and his wife Carol Robbie.

• Posted on May 3rd, 2015

Thomas Casey graduated at West Lothian College in May 2014 as part of a work-based learning Modern Apprenticeship scheme while working for Robbie Fluid Engineering and completed his apprenticeship in October 2014.

21 year old Thomas left school at 16 with no clear idea of what he wanted to do. After starting on the “Get Ready for Work” training program he worked on a placement with Robbie Fluid Engineering and was successful in securing a Modern Apprenticeship with them.  Mark Robbie the director of Robbie Fluid Engineering said, “Thomas has been a huge asset to the business. He is fully committed to his work and has developed exceptional problem solving and customer service skills over his time with us.” Thomas said, “one of my proudest moments was completing my apprenticeship in April 2014.” Since then Thomas has continued his career with Robbie Fluid Engineering and has been given the opportunity to continue his development. He completed a CETOP National Fluid Power Course and is a qualified first aider.

• Posted on May 2nd, 2015

We have moved to new premises in Bathgate opposite the Pyramid Business Park,

5 Inchwood Park
Starlaw Road
Bathgate
EH48 2FY

• Posted on May 1st, 2015