Proserv invests in its Coatbridge facility

Global-leading energy services group Proserv is investing almost half a million pounds into a landmark North Lanarkshire building to meet growing international demand for its products and services.

The B-listed facility, commonly known as Lamberton’s, in Coatbridge, was home to KRG Industries prior to the company being acquired by Proserv in February this year. KRG Industries, whose second site in Stockton-on-Tees is also now part of Proserv, specialises in delivering precision engineering services to the oil & gas and aerospace & defense industries.

Turnover for both facilities has risen by almost 25% from £18million in 2013 to around £22.5million this year. Proserv plans to increase the 181-strong employee base – 131 of whom are in Coatbridge – by creating around 30 new jobs over the next 12 months. These new positions will include CNC Machine Operators, Assembly, Test, and Quality Technicians, Apprentices, HSE and HR personnel.

Kevin Hughes, Vice President of Operations for Proserv, said: “Through developing high value components from start to finish in-house, we are fast achieving our goal of becoming a one-stop shop for precision engineering solutions which are resulting in considerable cost and time-effective benefits. Recent contract wins across the US, North Africa and the Far East have strengthened the order book by more than £ 2 ½ million. 

“Joining Proserv has significantly accelerated our expansion into these regions and bolstered our capabilities. Through the company’s impressive global footprint and market-leading technologies, it has also opened up tremendous growth opportunities in West Africa, Asia, and North America.”

Proserv, which operates worldwide across several regions, has a 40-year track record in delivering bespoke solutions for the energy industry, particularly in the drilling, production, subsea and marine market sectors.

The company’s acquisition of KRG further underpinned Proserv’s position as a leader in the engineering, manufacturing, testing and after-market servicing of specialist and highly-critical subsea equipment. In addition, the company’s global talent pool soared to more than 2,200 employees with all existing KRG management continuing to run the day-to-day operations as part of the Proserv organisation.

Brian Kinsey, Region President for Europe and West Africa at Proserv, said: “We are committed to continuing to invest in our Coatbridge facility and building on its reputation as a centre of engineering excellence, one that is supported by our base in Stockton-on-Tees where we operate a fleet of high specification precision engineering equipment. 

“KRG, which is one of the longest established businesses in Coatbridge, carved out a market-leading niche for itself as a dynamic company which provides cutting-edge, precision engineered components. As such, the company has proven a solid, strategic fit for Proserv by further enriching our global network of integrated operations through its far-reaching technical expertise and shared ethos to be the provider of choice.” 

The substantial investment reinforces KRG’s indigenous roots in Coatbridge and underlines Proserv’s commitment to North Lanarkshire and the region’s future prosperity.

Work is soon to commence on the historic Russell Colt Street site and includes replacing the roof to its former glory as well as creating a new extension to one of the buildings to accommodate the future growth of Proserv’s machining, assembly, test, cladding and coating businesses. Work is scheduled to be completed early next year.

Engineering is embedded in the roots of the facility’s central building which dates back to the early 1880s when Andrew Lamberton, a Coatbridge man and close friend of major philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, started his engineering works in 1882. Lamberton became one of Scotland’s most notable innovators, building his own steam engines, pumping water from the coalmines and creating rolling mills for the steelworks.

Spreading far beyond his native Lanarkshire, Lamberton built lead mills and equipment for the goldmines of South Africa.

KRG moved into the Lamberton site in 1991.

Press Release