The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Offshore umbilicals manufacturing facility opens in Fife
Growth: US group has plans to make Rosyth unit a key cog in its offshore oil and gas operation
A Us-headquartered offshore services group has moved to bolster its Scottish operation with the addition of a dedicated manufacturing unit in Fife.
Umbilicals International (UI), which has been a subsidiary of Texas-based Seanamic Group since 2015, has opened the doors to a new facility at Rosyth.
Initially the site will be used to support commercial diving operations, but it is destined to become a core element of the group’s plan to manufacture electrohydraulic umbilicals for use in the offshore energy industry.
UI’S sister firm IMES International already has a long-standing operation in a nearby unit in the Fife town.
The two operations currently have eight staff between them and, across the wider Central Belt, Seanamic Group has around 50 staff.
The plan to develop UI will see up to a further 20 positions created in Rosyth in the next 18 months.
“Rosyth is the perfect location for umbilical services, and we’re pleased to call it home for our UK operations,” said Charlie Backhouse, general manager for UI in the UK.
“The area boasts a talented and deeply knowledgeable workforce which spans manufacturing, engineering, commercial and project management.
“The variation of ongoing projects at the Rosyth site will provide plenty of opportunities for us to deliver multiple services, and with support from the Scottish Government, meet our growth plans.”
Martin Barnes, chief executive of Seanamic Group, said the investment in the new UI site was a key strategic move.
“The close proximity between Umbilicals International and IMES International will allow both companies to share aspects of their business, including personnel and equipment.
“This new facility builds on the 360-degree offering which Seanamic brings to the market: design, manufacture, testing and integrity management.
“Operating conditions may be improving, but companies still need agile, integrated and flexible solutions – this new facility helps us provide that.”
Fife Council’s economy convener, councillor Altany Craik, welcomed the new investment.
“The company is an ideal fit for Rosyth, which is already a world-class location for marine and engineering businesses,” councillor Craik said.
“Rosyth is one of Scotland’s bestconnected locations and will offer the company unrivalled access to markets and customers.”
ghuband@thecourier.co.uk