North East tech firm celebrates 10 years in business

A tech firm helping deliver some of the world’s largest energy projects is continuing to invest in the North East as it celebrates its 10th year in business.

asset55, a software house based in The Beam at Riverside Sunderland, is set to create a host of skilled and graduate job roles this year following a period of prolonged growth.

Employing 30 people across its Sunderland HQ and remote teams in Europe and Asia, the company develops a range of software solutions for engineering and construction specialists, specifically those working on major infrastructure projects in the energy sector.

With a client list spanning the world’s largest oil producers and pioneers in renewable energy, its software helps developers monitor each and every stage of a project, ensuring they are delivered on-time and within-budget.

Paul Bicker, director and CTO, said: “I know its cliché, but our software really is a first-of-its-kind. It aids all aspects of design and engineering in the entire lifecycle of a development, from identifying design flaws in proof of concepts to scanning construction work in real-time and eliminating any snags, delays and health risks.

“Many of the projects we work on are economically and environmentally significant, as every minute saved can not only save millions of pounds, but also millions of carbons from being released into the atmosphere, and we’re incredibly proud of the role we’ve played…in helping deliver major infrastructure projects the world-over.”

Despite the pandemic, the company secured its largest contract to date last year which will see it provide complete oversight to the development of a globally significant energy project, and successfully launched a new software package which has already been well received by the market.

asset55 relocated to Sunderland in 2020 after securing space in The Beam, the first office building to be developed as part of the ambitious regeneration of Riverside Sunderland on the former Vaux Brewery site, however its relocation was hampered by the introduction of lockdown measures just a week after signing the lease.

Looking to the future however, as lockdown measures ease and with staff gradually easing back into office life, Paul is confident that the ability for staff to split their time between the office and home will make the company as attractive a proposition as possible to potential recruits.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “As a city which was once a driving force of the industrial revolution, it’s absolutely fantastic to see the next generation of businesses such as asset55 continue to carry the torch by continuing to innovate and blaze a trail on a global scale….”