Ace Winches has officially opened a new £2.5million five-acre depot for its hire fleet of machinery.
It is the latest expansion of the deck-machinery specialist’s Towie Barclay Works headquarters, near Turriff.
The new, purpose-built Ythan facility includes a workshop, offices, concrete yard and test bed, all aimed at helping Ace to meet growing client demand.
Chief executive Alfie Cheyne, who founded the award-winning company in 1992, said: “This latest expansion reflects the growth we have experienced in the hire-fleet market over recent years in both UK oil and gas sector and overseas.”
Ace was recognised for its achievements in international markets at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry’s Scotland International Awards earlier this month.
It came hot on the heels of successes at the Institute of Directors’ annual awards in London and Northern Star Business Awards in Aberdeen.
The company invested £20.62million in plant, machinery, land and buildings at Towie Barclay between 2008 and 201l and it plans to spend a further £9.99million in 2012-2013.
Meanwhile, Ace has appointed Graham Thomson as its new chief operating officer. He has joined the firm after 22 years at Sparrows Offshore Services, latterly as chief operating officer for the Americas.
Mr Thomson said he was delighted to join Ace at an exciting period of growth within the company.