Today’s business environment requires agility and adaptation to keep up with technological, economic and political challenges, just to remain competitive. In addition, woven into how we all conduct our businesses and deliver on targets, is the need to ensure continual improvements in meeting net zero emission targets and new environmental regulatory requirements. We operate in a world of constant change. One aspect that does not change and is, we believe, fundamental to a strong and a long-lived business is the emphasis on good collaboration and partnerships with people – within our own teams and also with our customers and supply chains.
Of course, such collaborative working evolves as organisations grow and change but ultimately the basis of a good partnership is trust, earned over time through honesty, commitment and value. RAS invests in longstanding partnerships with clients, providing dependable process safety support and holistic risk management solutions suited to their requirements.
We have been advising and supporting Manchester Airport Storage and Hydrant Company (MASHCo) through the Airport’s £1.3 billion Transformation Programme over the last decade. Now in its final phase and due to be completed this year the transformation has meant a significant increase in storage capacity and throughput to ensure a more efficient, resilient, and safe fuel supply. The transition also required more rigorous compliance with the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) regulations, as the increase in inventories put the Lower Tier site into Upper Tier status. RAS has played a critical role in guiding MASHCo through these regulatory changes and managing the risk associated with the project.
Major projects such as this, require growing operations teams to adjust how they work, adapting to new procedures, processes and greater numbers of people. Over the course of the MASHCo transformation project RAS has worked with them to manage the risks associated with the transition. This included management of change support, hazard study facilitation, quantitative safety risk assessment, environmental risk assessment, development and training in new emergency response plans, as well as various human factors projects such as new control room design, new shift pattern development in addition to alarm management rationalisation. All this has been designed to ensure industry leading operational and process safety performance and improved resilience, health and wellbeing of the workforce.
Despite the complexity of this transformation, airport operations have continued uninterrupted, thanks to meticulous planning and risk management. The project’s success underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving process safety excellence. From increasing fuel storage to constructing new hydrant lines, every enhancement has been designed to support Manchester Airport’s future growth while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental management.
The long-standing partnership between RAS and MASHCo also contributes to regional economic growth. As a long-established Northwest SME, RAS’s expertise and long-term investment in local talent have driven substantial economic impact. The airport itself generates £2.4 billion for the local economy, supporting businesses and industries across the region, with RAS playing a crucial role in its supply chain success.
This major UK project success shows how trust-based partnerships can drive operational excellence. Their ability to align seamlessly with partner goals, adapt to evolving challenges, and implement effective solutions are the building blocks for success. The achievements of this collaboration highlight the importance of transparency, reliability, and innovation in achieving long-term industry advancements.
About RAS Limited
RAS Limited is a Chester-based process and technical safety consultancy with 30 years of experience across sectors including pharmaceuticals, energy, aviation, and chemicals. With a team of expert consultants, RAS is a trusted partner for managing complex risk in industrial operations and delivering long-term value. If you would like to get in touch, please email us at enquiries@ras.ltd.uk or go to our website: ras.ltd.uk.
