American engineering group SPX is aiming to grab a slice of the North Sea pump repair market after opening its first service centre in Aberdeen.
The North Carolina-based company is understood to have pumped a seven-figure sum into the launch of the facility, which will service its own Bran & Luebbe, ClydeUnion and Plenty Mirrlees brands as well as third-party pumps.
SPX yesterday unveiled details of the service centre in the ABZ Business Park, which will test equipment and provide spare parts.
Scottish engineering tycoon Jim McColl sold his Glasgow-based ClydeUnion Pumps business to SPX in 2011 for £750million, consisting of around £464million in cash up-front and the remainder coming through earn-out clauses.
SPX has since cut about 250 of the 820 posts at the company, which was created in 2007 when Mr McColl bought the Weir Pumps business at which he had started his career as an apprentice when he was aged 16.
The American group traces its own roots back to 1912 when it began making pistons in Michigan.
It has since grown to become a global player, employing more than 14,000 staff in 35 countries
John Greig, the Aberdeen centre’s general manager, said: “With our extensive installed base and commitment to offering comprehensive support services to our customers, selecting Aberdeen as the site for this new centre was an easy and logical decision.
“This will be underpinned by our understanding of the North Sea oil and gas market needs and expectations, such the requirement to be FPAL compliant, for example.”
Mr Greig added: “This centre is able to provide tailored original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engineered solutions that enhance pump reliability and performance, which will be complimented by access to OEM spare parts, technical services, training and workshops.
“Our intent is that customers are provided with world-class solutions that meet their everyday operational requirements quickly and efficiently.
“Although SPX is a global organisation, the centre allows us to make quick and clear decisions at a local level, and easily access support from extensive SPX resources within the UK and across the world.”
The company added that its team could “update existing pumps to the latest standards and perform equipment evaluations, upgrades, retrofits, and re-rates, to keep up with changing process requirements”.
SPX is the second company in as many days to shrug off the falling oil price and bring its business to Europe’s oil capital.
Vertech, which Global bought in 2012, specialises in using ropes and alternatives to provide access for offshore inspection, maintenance and construction work.
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