Subsea controls specialist J+S Subsea has reported an “excellent start” to the year, as new contracts worth more than £1 million prompt a recruitment drive.
The Kintore-based firm, which designs, engineers and maintains subsea equipment, currently employs 22 staff and now expects to recruit up to six more in the coming months.
Subsea control engineers are particularly in demand as J+S seeks to expand its renewables and controls work.
The company has gone from strength to strength in the 18 months since its creation as part of a management buyout of the subsea controls division of SEA, a part of the technology group Cohort.
In particular, it has seen growing demand for its core services, such as the design of electrical distribution units and jumpers to reinstate power on assets, and the design of bespoke subsea electrical and hydraulic distribution assemblies.
This has been further spurred by the “soaring popularity” of Legacy Locker, an open industry portal for the re-use, refurbishment and recycling of subsea equipment. The portal, which allows firms to buy, sell or trade unwanted stock, saw a surge in interest due to the Covid-19 pandemic creating supply shortages.
J+S has also reported an upturn in new work in emerging markets, with staff recently deployed to support decommissioning projects and inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) campaigns.
New diverse projects, including renewables and decommissioning work, is ensuring sustainability, and recent successes include the design and installation of a fibre optic and high voltage junction box, for client 23 Degrees Renewables, on their bespoke tracked trencher tool.
© Supplied by J+S SubseaAlongside a recent nomination in the Subsea Expo awards, the business was selected for the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) catapult – a 12-18 month, programme funded by the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) and delivered in partnership with the Nuclear AMRC and Opergy.
The initiative will see 20 north-east businesses get ready to bid for work in the offshore renewables sector, with participants reporting growth of an average 23%.
Managing director Phil Reid said: “By consolidating our position within traditional markets and exploring new ones, we have been able to withstand the vagaries of recent operating conditions and we now look to the future with confidence and optimism.”
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