The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fife marine firm launches in-house diving division
FIFE MARINE contractor Briggs has continued its expansion drive after announcing the launch of a new in-house diving division.
The Burntisland firm said the service would enable it to offer a “holistic” package to clients in the oil and gas, renewables and port services sectors and throughout the UK.
Newly-appointed dive superintendent Alistair Blue, a certified air diver with considerable experience in the industry, will lead the new division.
Briggs Marine & Environmental Services owns and operates more than 40 vessels, including London’s Woolwich Ferry, and also has operations in Aberdeen and Azerbaijani capital Baku.
“Briggs ’Diving Division offers our clients an invaluable and bespoke integrated solution,” Mr Blue said.
“The move to bring diving in-house ensures our clients can be confident that safety, quality and environmental accreditations, synonymous with Briggs, are upheld throughout our projects.”
As well as opportunities in green energy, the company is also targeting waterway authorities, and the salvage, insurance and construction markets.
Director of subsea services Craig English said the development showed Briggs was continually evolving to meet market demands.
“Establishing a new in-house diving division means we now have the flexibility and control to facilitate clients who want a turnkey solution, with certainty in cost; but can also assist those looking for a support with specific one-off projects,” he said.
Earlier this year the company — which employs around 600 people, including about 100 in Fife — said it was growing across all sectors, but had particularly strong expectations for its markets in renewables.
In their repor t to Companies House, directors said that they were “well-placed” to take advantage of opportunities in wind, wave and tidal energy projects, and revealed their plans to expand into additional maintenance services for navigation aids.
Briggs Marine reported a 38% rise in pretax profits for the year to the end of March 2013, up to £438,850, while revenues jumped 10% to £37.5 million thanks to a significant increase in business in its vessel charter business.
The wider Briggs Commercial group — which includes environmental services, civil engineering and investment firms, as
“We now have the flexibility and control to facilitate clients who want a turnkey solution.” Craig English
well as subsidiaries registered in Singapore and Georgia — also saw turnover climb 10%, to £42.5m.
Pre-tax profits fell back 17% to £1.7m, while group shareholder funds rose to £28.7m in the year.
Figures for the present financial period are expected to be posted later this year, with the seven-year Woolwich deal with Transport for London expected to make a considerable contribution to revenues.