Aberdeen company Optima Solutions UK is continuing its push into foreign markets with the opening of a new office in Perth, in Western Australia.
News of this latest expansion came as the business received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for international trade.
Vice Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen Alison Skene presented the award in the city to Optima managing director Jamie Oag.
The provider of customised oil rig cooling systems was recognised for trebling its export earnings over the last three years.
The firm’s overseas markets are in Norway, Denmark, Australasia, West Africa, the Middle East, South America and the Caspian region.
Mr Oag said: “I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of everyone at Optima. The award is a fitting recognition of the dedication of our staff over the last 10 years of operations.
“We have worked extremely hard and will continue to work hard to improve the quality of our service. Our very high level of technical ability enables us to offer bespoke solutions to our clients in the UK and, increasingly, overseas.”
Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen said: “Considering the current global economic climate, it is fantastic that a local company is doing so well. Everyone at Optima Solutions should be extremely proud of their achievements and to win such a prestigious award.”
The Aberdeen firm, founded in 1999, now has nearly 70 staff and turnover for the financial year to the end of March, 2008, was more than £8million. The figure for the last financial year is expected to be more than £9.5million.
More than 55% of sales are international.
As part of the continued internationalisation strategy, recently-appointed business development director Colin Black is expanding Optima’s market in West Africa and has recently secured new contracts in the Middle East with more to follow in South America.
The controlling stake in the business was sold to a Norway-based investor group led by buyout firm Northern Industries for an undisclosed sum in early 2008.
Earlier this month, Mr Oag received an honorary degree from the Robert Gordon University in recognition of his entrepreneurship.
The businessman, who is originally from West Lothian, graduated from the university with a PhD in instrumental analytical science in 1992 before starting up Optima.
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