PD&MS purchase Optimus and save 45 jobs

45 jobs saved and about the same number are expected to be created after the acquisition of engineering consultancy Optimus (Aberdeen) from administration.

PD&MS Group has agreed to purchase Optimus for an undisclosed sum after it was put into administration by its own board earlier this month.

Optimus employs 45 people and all, including chief executive Chris West, will remain with the company.

The new owners aim to double the headcount within a year.

The business now known as Optimus Plus (Aberdeen) – a subsidiary of global engineering consultancy PD&MS, which employs around 550 in Scotland and 100 overseas.

Simon Rio, the group’s chief executive, said: “We are very pleased to complete the purchase of the Optimus business and assets in a deal that will provide continuity for all staff and customers and see their business run autonomously as part of the PD&MS group.

“Optimus has a fantastic workforce and is a truly remarkable engineering consultancy, with over 20 years’ experience of providing innovative front-end engineering solutions across the oil and gas and renewables sector.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Chris and his wider team, and support their growth with a framework to allow them to capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead.”

Mr Rio added: “PD&MS has a clear strategy to support the industry, maximise economic recovery, decarbonise oil and gas infrastructure and further extend our services across the global energy and industrial sectors.

“Following our acquisition of low-carbon engineering specialists Synergie Environ in 2021, we have already doubled the size of their business.

“We are confident that we can replicate this evolution and success with Optimus.”

Mr West said: “This deal secures the future of the business and our people.
“It promises fantastic opportunities for Optimus and PD&MS to collaborate in bringing a stronger proposition and added value to our respective and shared clients.

“We are proud to be part of the PD&MS group, with the autonomy to further develop our brand of innovative engineering services, the flexibility to expand our reach across new and core energy industries, and the support to scale our business more significantly than we might have been able to manage independently.”