North East manufacturer announces six-figure investment to create jobs and progress “global” plans

A North East manufacturer has announced a six-figure investment to create new jobs and help make a global impact with its sustainable offshore technology.

OES Group designs has received £100k from the North East Small Loan Fund via The European Regional Development Fund.

The Birtley headquartered company has developed a “world first” anti-corrosion system for offshore wind farms and is expecting to create up to ten jobs over the next six months as its operational needs develop.

Rob Forsyth, MD, OES, said: “Offshore wind turbines are entering deeper and deeper waters, while the structures to support the turbines are also having to get bigger to both support the larger scale modern turbines and sustain the larger loadings they are encountering in the new harsher environments.

“A new environmentally and structurally sustainable solution was required to protect the submerged structures, and in response, we have developed an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) system for installation on an anode cage which allows complete corrosion protection of the submerged structure.

“Our system is adaptable to any environment, can be adjusted in response to changing offshore conditions, and in most cases offers life extension at end of life from a corrosion protection strategy perspective, thus giving owners and operators significant technical and commercial benefits.

“The NEL team took a practical approach to assessing where we are now and where we want to be, and really dived into the business plan to find out how this investment would help us get there.”

Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, commented: “OES offers highly specialised products in an extremely active and lucrative market, and has the potential to make an even bigger impact with its innovative new protection system.”

Jack Spoor at Robson Laidler added: “OES Group is set to thrive and it is a pleasure joining them on their journey and helping to secure the backing of our partners at NEL Fund Managers, who we work with on a regular basis in their vital work supporting North East businesses.”