IF YOU’RE Ghana do something, you might as well do it properly.

That was certainly the philosophy of a dedicated trio from a local energy firm as they travelled to the African country to install a state-of-the-art boiler.

John Scott founder of Futurum, chief engineer Rob Gaston and apprentice Rory Skitt, from the Poundbury-based company, have just returned from their trip to Kumasi in Ghana, to install a 130kw Biomass Wood Boiler.

The brand new boiler will help feed a wood drying kiln for an international wood supply company that supplies huge international corporations such as Asda.

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for them pair.
They boarded a plane and flew out to Accra in the African country, before enduring a tough seven-hour bus journey to their destination.

They then worked in 30 degree heat for more than a week to ensure it was fitted on time.

The firm has garnered an impressive reputation in the United Kingdom for fitting similar boilers, but this was the first time they had taken their skills overseas.

Mr Scott said not only had the trip been an enjoyable experience but the company was committed to expanding and providing its services overseas.

He said: “We were very pleased to be commissioned to complete this installation.
“We hope that this is the first of many outside of the UK as we expand the business here and abroad in the next year.”

The biomass boiler is fired using wood logs which heats water.

This is then into a thermal store which in turn feeds heat to a kiln.

Despite the gruelling conditions in the African country Mr Scott is an ex-serviceman with the Army, and his expertise from his Army days came in useful working in these conditions.

One of the biggest challenges that the workers faced during the installation was the company’s lack of infrastructure, where the supply chain and logistics are not to the same high standard as they are in Great Britain. The country’s infrastructure is however developing, meaning that should they be required to go back they should find it easier.

However, after working solidly for a week the installation was completed on time despite the heat and difficult conditions.

Futurum, based in Poundbury, specialises in developing new technology to help provide renewable energy.

The firm works in the domestic, community, commercial, agricultural or industrial industries.