The future looks bright for Brimmond Group

Sustainable cost reductions and cyclical initiatives only go so far in helping oil and gas companies navigate what has become an increasingly challenging operating environment; one further exacerbated by the recent impact of an ongoing global pandemic.

Those able to succeed are the organisations that have been able to adjust to this ever-changing environment; either by diversifying their portfolios, introducing new services and commercial models, or through adapting their business models.

Brimmond Group, which has its headquarters in the Aberdeenshire town of Kintore, is among those that have demonstrated their resilience during times of increased volatility.

After starting life in 1996 as a small, hydraulic hose manufacturing franchise, primarily supporting clients in the North Sea, the company now supplies new-build and rental equipment worldwide – from diesel and electric hydraulic power units (HPUs), marine cranes, control systems and pump packages, to ROV and umbilical services, reelers and spooling winches, and flushing and filtration equipment.

In true textbook style, over the past two decades the company has enjoyed steady and deliberate growth by creating real customer value. How? Through spending the time getting to know its clients and understanding what they need, evolving and refining its portfolio, investing in the right people and planning for the future.

As Brimmond Group’s portfolio has expanded, so too has its footprint. Starting life almost 25 years ago in a 2000 square foot lock-up, today the company operates from a 21,000 square foot facility, including office space and a modern workshop with two 20-tonne overhead cranes. A massive yard with a dedicated test bed also sits within the 2.5-acre site, which is ideally suited to future expansion.

The team has paid particular attention to ensuring that their offering aligns with clients’ evolving buying behaviours. One such example is in the continued growth of its rental fleet which, earlier this year, was bolstered by an investment of over £900,000 following a series of contract wins.

Developing its rental capabilities has not only helped Brimmond Group go after opportunities in different markets and sub-markets; it also provides a backbone to the business during tougher economic climates.
Steve Simpson, Business Development Manager, said: “Pre-2014, our projects consisted almost entirely of refurbs and new build equipment. That completely changed in the first year of the downturn, when we saw a shift to around 90% rental. It’s only been in the last financial year, really, that things have balanced out at 50:50.”

One of the company’s strengths lies in its experienced, in-house engineering team. As well as being responsible for designing and developing new-build equipment, the team also originates the majority of Brimmond Group’s rental fleet too, which comes with a number of benefits.

Engineering Director, Tom Murdoch, said: “Most of our fleet is developed in-house. That means we know our equipment, quite literally, inside out, and ensures we achieve the high standard expected from the Brimmond name.” 

Steve added: “We put a lot of thought into the build make-up of our equipment, across all aspects. Not only does this ensure quality, it also makes it easier for our clients when it comes to servicing; an area where we have really concentrated on the importance of ensuring a globally available, reliable spares ecosystem. That aids our ability to help them reduce downtime and improves our obsolescence management capability.”

Designed with flexibility in mind, the company’s equipment can be used across a wide variety of projects and clients – including pipeline and process projects, the subsea sector, drilling, and within the naval and maritime industries.

The fast-growing decommissioning market in particular has become of increasing importance, and is the source of much demand for Brimmond Group’s rental fleet. The team is well-versed in helping clients to navigate the various challenges in this arena – from footprint confines and lift capacities, to persons on board (POB) limitations.

One such project involved the provision of a pneumatically powered, ATEX zone 1, filtration, pumping and metering skid, used to recover attic oil from a gravity-based production platform offshore. In another instance, the team was called on to supply electric hydraulic power and control units for operating tooling, including a diamond wire cutting machine.

Meanwhile, one of the organisation’s portable, modular marine cranes recently completed an 18-month stint on a platform in the North Sea, with zero reported downtime for the entire duration. It was used to bolster the provision of craneage, enabling the plug and abandonment (P&A) team to reduce downtime caused by reliability issues or as a result of existing equipment being needed for other scopes of work.

So, what about the team’s thoughts for the future? With so much potential, they are certainly upbeat.

Tom said:

“Given the uncertainty in the industry, we remain positive. As a business, we are very well-positioned to take on the fallout from the COVID pandemic and are ready for the challenge ahead.”

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE.