The event was followed by a visit from the Right Honourable Nicolas Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and Minister of State (Education) on 2 July 2021.
In light of the UK Government announcement on 14 June 2021 to delay the easing of restrictions, Dando made the prudent decision to scale back the Launch Day to ensure in met with Covid regulations.
Despite the reduced guest list, the event was a great success with the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex launching the new range with a short speech from Mrs Pyper and Mark Jones, managing director of Dando, and the unveiling of a plaque.
On the day of the event, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex was given a tour of Dando’s factory and was able to meet Chief Designer of the Infinity Range, Luke Palmer, and have a tour of the facilities.
Following the official launch, Dando’s local MP, Nicolas Gibb, joined the team on 2 July 2021, for a tour of the factory and to see the new range.
Dando’s Infinity Range offers rigs for the mineral exploration, water well and geotechnical drilling sectors and incorporates the best of British engineering.
Applying the concepts of modularity and scalability, Dando has created a centralised design across the drilling sectors, which can be scaled up or down, and fitted with the appropriate equipment for each application.
This innovative yet simple approach to rig design allows Dando to offer multiple variations including pullback capacity, undercarriage type, engine power and options of auxiliary equipment, without rigs needing to be designed and engineered almost from scratch.
The Infinity Range incorporates Dando’s ‘bespoke’ mantle whilst maximising the use of ‘off-the-shelf’ components enabling the Company to accelerate the build and delivery time of its rigs, whilst improving safety and reducing environmental impact.
The range also includes new Sonic and Multitec rigs and various rod handling options, further providing the ability to meet customer demands and requirements and enhancing safety.
Mark Jones, managing director of Dando Drilling International, commented: “I would like to thank the whole of the team at Dando for the incredible effort which went into the Launch Day and creation of this fantastic range of drilling rigs. It is a joy to see our hard work come into fruition and a privilege to share the occasion with the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mrs Susan Pyper, and our local MP, Nicolas Gibb.
“During the past year, Dando has been responsive and adaptive to change, with the outcome being our industry leading design which offers versatility, cost efficiency and shorter lead times. The Infinity Range showcases the very best of British engineering and with almost infinite permutations across the key drilling sectors enabling us to deliver our customers truly bespoke rigs.
“With over 150 years of experience in the drilling industry, along with the best of modern engineering, Dando’s new Infinity Range applies innovation to its robust rig design to create a sustainable model of rig manufacturing for the future.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Susan Pyper, said: It is always great to hear about companies coming back into British hands and Dando is an example of a company that truly values its employees and has a wonderful family feel to it. The new Infinity Range rig design is a testament to great British engineering and I am so proud to have a company with the values, ability and ingenuity of Dando not only in West Sussex but in the UK.”
