ACE Winches set to lay off 30 in UK

Hydraulic winches manufacturer ACE Winches is expected to lay off up to thirty workers including six apprentices at its UK facilities, citing oil industry downturn.

The company said that as a result of the severity of the continued oil and gas downturn which has seen oil and gas operators significantly reducing investments, the ACE organisation has had to introduce further cost savings “to ensure long term business delivery sustainability.”

“It is therefore with sincere regret that the company has advised its employees of potential headcount reductions at its UK facilities in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. The company is currently in consultation with its staff and making every effort to mitigate any potential impact on its employees, as a result of this process it is anticipated that about 30 positions will be impacted,” Ace Winches said in a statement sent to Offshore Energy Today.

The company said that due to the decline in the number of subsea projects, specifically within the North Sea, a small number of offshore personnel will be affected.

“Regrettably, six are likely to include modern apprentices in craft trades. The company will endeavour to support these apprentices in seeking ways to find alternative employment and/or training programmes in similar trades across the local region. The group will continue to employ approximately 200 skilled professionals including our Norwegian operations which are not impacted as a result of this consultation,” Ace Winches said.

ACE Winches said 15 apprentices will continue employment at ACE in electrical, hydraulic, machining, fabrication, welding and product assembly.