EFC Group Welcomes Fergus Ewing MSP to Its New Forres Base

EFC Group welcomed Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, to its new Forres base on Friday 7 March.

The visit comes as part of EFC Group’s fast paced growth strategy, which saw the launch of its first base in Enterprise Park, Forres in July 2012, supporting the existing Scottish headquarters in Aberdeen. Since then, EFC Group has generated over £1million investment with its Highlands/ Moray expansion and the new manufacturing facility, EFC House.

Mr Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, was given a tour of the new facility by EFC Group CEO Bob Will. He heard about the company’s industry leading drilling safety technology which includes managed pressure drilling and well control instrumentation, mechanical handling solutions and API accredited choke control and BOP systems.

Bob Will, chief executive officer of EFC Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr. Ewing to visit our flagship manufacturing facility in Forres’ Enterprise Park. It is extremely positive that EFC Group is being recognised for the impact that we are making to the Highlands business community and we are seeing true value come from the local knowledge and skills we’ve been able to tap into.

“With the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), we have been able to fast track our expansion plans. As part of this, we identified a pool of workers in the region with strong motivation and abilities which transfer well into the oil and gas sector, and have very notably created 20 jobs at EFC House, with a long term plan of up to another 30 positions.”

Following his visit, Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting continued growth in Scotland’s energy sector and to allowing our young people to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that this sector presents now and in the future.

“Scotland’s industry-led Oil and Gas strategy sets out an overall theme of maximising resource recovery through a focus on industry led innovation, skills and supply chain growth. With up to 24 billion recoverable barrels with a potential wholesale value of £1.5 trillion, more than half of the resources in the North Sea, by value, still to be extracted, it is clear that the industry will make an important contribution to the Scottish economy for decades to come.”

David Oxley, HIE area manager in Moray, said: “HIE is delighted that EFC Group has again chosen to expand its operations in Moray. This expansion in the Enterprise Park Forres will enable EFC Group to meet rising demand in the subsea and control divisions. It is an excellent example of a company which is thriving thanks to investment in research and development, innovative recruitment and developing its people.

“EFC Group has been able to find the right employees and a location where the facilities and working environment match the ambitions for the business. They demonstrated that there was a real opportunity to build on their presence in Forres. As well as extending the range of its services, the company has made use of competent and enthusiastic personnel in the region which is crucial for providing the high level of client support that EFC Group is known for providing.

“HIE has enjoyed working alongside EFC Group to develop its plans over the last two years and we look forward to work alongside them as they continue to grow and develop the business in the coming years.”

EFC Group employs 148 members of staff across its offices in Aberdeen, Leeds, Houston, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The Group also has international representation in Norway, Mexico, India and Brazil, making it well placed to serve its global client network.

Press Release, March 10, 2014