Page 81 - FINAL Phillips 66 50 Year Book

That year also saw the installation of a new 15-ton £1.75 million grab
crane, one of two working at the heart of the process producing high
value premium and regular grade coke for the steel and aluminium
industries. The crane was so big it could fit the entire project team
inside its mouth! (Pictured left).

Among the other projects of 199 was the inauguration of the new waste
water plant. Thanks extensive national press coverage, the refinery
was hailed as a shining example of environmental responsibility and
efficiency. The water plant was unique in the UK because it used a
state-of-the-art treatment process to purify waste water, where bacteria
digests contaminants – so purified, in fact, that the resulting water
discharged into the Humber Estuary was cleaner than the estuary itself.

As usual, the refinery was ahead of the game – and this included working
practices, too. Never one for resting on its laurels, Conoco launched
Project Humber, a bold inquiry by a team of consultant ‘change brokers’,
to consolidate the refinery’s position, maximise long-term profitability
and make the most of money spent. Nothing was sacred.

At the end of the exercise, there was a net reduction of 60 people, with
no forced redundancies – and a significant shift in working culture Above: Water clarifying tank.
and efficiency. For example, plant readings were reduced from every
two hours to every four. The lubrication of equipment changed from
being contracted out to in-house, utilising existing skills. Four levels of
management were reduced to two.

The system had seen the refinery through three decades, but it was
time for change. Workers were being asked for more, but in return were
given responsibility and self-management.