Flexible Pipe Specialist Invests in New HQ
16 September 2008
16 September 2008
A leading flexible pipe specialist has invested £750,000 in a new HQ in Aberdeen, announced it is on target to reach turnover in excess of £2million just two years after start-up and plans to expand internationally and open offices at key locations.
Flexlife was established by flexible pipe experts Stuart Mitchell, John Marsden and Carl-Petter Halvorsen who identified a gap in the market for an innovative consultancy to offer field-proven solutions, deliver them and also deal with integrity management.
They have built up 40 years experience between them working on projects at key locations around the globe and have headhunted a world-class team with similar backgrounds.
Flexlife's core business is the delivery of subsea and riser pipe projects, from tie-backs to deep water, including pipe specification, cross section and system design.
Since starting up, Flexlife has completed project management work for Apache North Sea Ltd, integrity management for Total E&P UK Ltd and Maersk Oil and engineering support on various projects globally for Subsea 7.
“We formed Flexlife through the desire to create a company capable of delivering what it engineers for all flexible pipe requirements and we believe we are the first in the market place to offer a full service through the project lifecycle and beyond. We have found there has been high demand for our practical, realistic approach which saves our clients time, effort and money,'' said engineering manager Stuart Mitchell.
“The number of experts we have and their expertise really sets us apart from our competitors. We only started the business 18 months ago and are delighted we are building Flexlife's reputation for creativity within the sector.''
He added: “We work on projects in all the key energy locations and have already increased the amount off work we do internationally. We are planning to open offices in future in locations overseas to be close to our customers and where there is potential for growth and we felt strongly that it was important or our HQ to be based in Aberdeen, where we have the proximity to the main industry leaders. We also chose new premises with space for us to expand into over the years ahead.''
Flexlife has seven staff at the moment and aims to add a further five within the next six months.
The company fully financed the purchase of the new, 3,000sqft premises at the recently developed Spires Business Park. The move will be celebrated with an event for clients on October 2.
Flexlife has been working with economic development agency Scottish Enterprise and its international arm Scottish Development International to commercialise research and grow strategically by breaking into new markets on a structured, step-by-step basis.
Russell Stevenson, senior manager for industries at Scottish Enterprise in the north-east, said: “Flexlife is an excellent example of the kind of highly-skilled, dynamic, company which Scotland's energy sector needs to keep competitive on the global stage. They are very focused on R&D which is reflected in the number of patented solutions they are finalising and progressing at present.''
“Having a young company with great growth potential choosing to locate in Aberdeen City and Shire is a clear sign that the region will continue to be recognised as an energy capital for many years to come. We look forward to working with them in future.''
