Glacier Energy Creates Jobs with Opening of New Base at Boldon, UK

International oilfield specialist Glacier Energy Services formally opened the north-east base of its Wellclad business in Boldon – creating up to 22 new jobs in an investment worth more than £325,000 – as part of a major growth plan.

Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn met workers as he opened the office and workshop premises at Burford Way, Boldon, which cover some 15,000 square feet. Wellclad previously occupied a 2,000 sq ft area within BEL Valves’ headquarters at St Peters.

Wellclad, which is the focus of Glacier’s Engineering division, has doubled its staff to 16 to coincide with the move to its new base, with the potential for that figure to rise to 30 in the course of the year.

The move is the second major investment Glacier has made in north-east England in less than a year, following its Offshore division’s acquisition of Blyth-based Site Machining Services (SMS) in summer 2012 to complement its existing Roberts Pipeline Machining (RPM) technology business. SMS has since grown from 15 to 22 employees.

Wellclad pioneered the use of Corrosive Resistant Alloy (CRA) weld overlay as a routine process for the “cladding” of alloy steels designed to improve the integrity and service life of critical oil and gas surface and subsea production components used in harsh service environments.

George Leggate, managing director of Glacier Energy Services’ Engineering Division and co-founder of Wellclad, says: “Securing this site has allowed us to focus on really pushing the business forward – bringing new jobs to the area and delivering an economic boost to Boldon through our investment.

“Our strategic partnerships and working relationship with key north-east clients continues, with our rising market potential prompting the move to acquire our own workshop and office facility.

“Having already doubled our team here, and with significant new business opportunities currently in negotiations, we aim to open up new posts to the community later this year as we cement our footprint in the north-east.”

George Rafferty, chief executive of business development organisation NOF Energy, alongside industry-leading original equipment manufacturers, Alex Lamb of BEL Valves, and Mark Gill of National Oilwell Varco Mission Products toured the facility with Mr Hepburn.

Stephen Hepburn MP said: “This is good news for the region and especially good news for South Tyneside. I am delighted that this substantial flagship investment will bring new jobs to the local area and help boost the North East economy.

“It was a pleasure to visit Glacier Energy Services and officially open the North East base of its Wellclad business in Boldon. I was very impressed with the plans of Glacier Energy Services and I wish the company well for the future.”

Glacier Energy Services’ combined business operations has a turnover of more than £10million following its formation in 2011, with over 100 staff working across the UK and international markets from its operational bases in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Backed by private equity providers Maven Capital Partners and the Simmons Parallel Energy Fund, Glacier relocated its headquarters to bespoke premises at Clyde Gateway East, Glasgow, opened by Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing in 2012.

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Press Release, April 29, 2013