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As the number of offshore renewables projects continue to increase, so does the requirement for flexible offshore accommodation solutions. In response to the growth, the Ferguson Group has expanded its product offering to provide space for the number of workers needed to undertake these projects. Since opening its first manufacturing facility in 1985, the Ferguson Group manufactures, delivers and installs accommodation and workspace modules to a range of global offshore energy and renewables projects.

The Group has recently expanded and upgraded its offering of workspace and accommodation solutions to meet the niche needs of the renewables sector.

The accommodation service vessel, ASV Pioneer, was introduced to Ferguson Group’s fleet in 2011, and completed its first renewables contract last year. ASV Pioneer is unique in the marketplace as a result of its flexible accommodation configuration.

It is currently configured to cater for 120 people on board in well-appointed en-suite rooms, along with an office, galley, mess, medical and recreational facilities. It is manufactured to DNV 2.7-1/ EN12079 standards and has large open deck space, which offers a multitude of uses to both the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy industries.

In May 2012 ASV Pioneer completed its first renewables contract, a cable-laying project for a wind farm in the North Sea. The project involved the installation of 140 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 500 megawatts - enough to power around 530,000 homes.

Ahead of the project, the vessel underwent upgrades and equipment installation in the River Tees. The plough, which was towed by the vessel and was involved in the lay equipment, was designed specifically for simultaneous lay and burial of submarine cable systems in challenging soil types.

Graham Cowperthwaite, Executive Director – Operations at Ferguson Group said: “This is our first accommodation service vessel and we are delighted to now be able to offer a bespoke solution for the renewables industry, as well as our existing oil and gas market. We look forward to working with clients on their offshore projects in the future, and meeting the growing requirement for offshore renewables accommodation solutions.”

Improvements have also been made to the Group’s range of 6m workspace modules, which provide a safe and comfortable fit for purpose working environment. Updates include a new internal fit out and dual or individual air-conditioning systems with an individual thermostat control.

The Ferguson Group continue to supply high quality A60, DNV 2.7-1 certified accommodation and workspace modules to the offshore and renewables market. The modules offer high standard and comfortable offshore accommodation, supported by a range of workspace modules including offices, laboratories, MWD cabins, mud logging cabins, coffee shops and workshops. Ancillary modules such as recreation rooms, gymnasiums, lockers, laundry rooms and medic suites are also supplied.

To find out more about the Ferguson Group’s range of products email  us today. 

The Ferguson Group Singapore Pte,  specialists in the rental of containers, accommodation modules and workspace modules to the offshore energy industry, announced today its move to new facilities in Singapore. The Group has relocated its Asian operations to a larger purpose-built facility at the Loyang Offshore Supply Base in the industrial area of Loyang, Singapore. The new facilities allows the Group to offer its range of DNV 2.7-1/ EN 12079 certified offshore containers, refrigeration containers, accommodation and workspace modules to support the Asia Pacific region.

Simon de Koning, Country Manager at Ferguson Group Singapore, said: “Since establishing a presence in Singapore in 2009, we have experienced excellent progress and the launch of our new office and yard signifies the company’s rapid growth and expansion within the region. “We have had exceptionally high demand for our range of containers and accommodation modules in recent months and the investment into the new facility enables us to continue supporting clients within the region.” 

Steven Ferguson, Chairman and CEO at Ferguson Group said: “the company is working hard to ensure that we can offer localized support to the offshore sector through our network of global bases and international partners. The new facilities enables us to continue offering reduced lead times, readily available equipment and improved communication with our customers in the area.”

Aberdeenshire-based Ferguson Group has started the New Year by strengthening its management team with a round of key appointments.

The Ferguson Group, specialists in the rental of containers, refrigeration containers, accommodation modules and engineering modules to the global offshore energy, has significantly boosted its finance and HR teams, including the appointment of Richard J Smith as Finance Director.

Richard is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and will based at the Ferguson Group’s head office in Kintore, Aberdeenshire. He has extensive experience in many business sectors, including over three years in Australia.

Steven Ferguson, chairman and CEO of Ferguson Group said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the team and I am confident that with the depth of experience he brings, he will be a great asset to us.

“The Ferguson Group continues to grow internationally and it is critical that we constantly review our business performance, to allow us to evolve in a way that supports business success and enables further expansion. Richard will be instrumental in achieving this going forward.”

Julia McGlashan has been appointed as HR Manager, bringing with her a wealth of experience in oil and gas, technology and manufacturing sectors. She most recently held the position of Group HR Manager at Reservoir Group and has been responsible for the development of global HR and recruitment strategies, talent management and training and development policies.

Other recent appointments include Shona Allen, Group Management Accountant, David Gagiero, Finance Manager, Ferguson Group Australia and Graham Boyle as Global HSEQ Manager.

Mike Melville, who previously held the position of Finance Director within the Group, has also relocated to Dubai to become Ferguson Group’s new Commercial Director.

Steven continued: “2012 was a busy year for us, with a number of important contract wins and the opening of 2 new global bases. We have increased staff by 15% during 2012 to meet the high levels of customer demand we have seen, and expect this to continue in 2013.

“Strengthening our international presence is a key part of our strategic approach and this is very much supported by the team at our headquarters in Aberdeenshire. As we continue with global expansion, we are very much committed to ensuring that we have the best team possible in place to support our business aims.”

The Ferguson Group, specialists in equipment rental including containers and accommodation solutions to the offshore energy industry globally, has posted its 2011 results, showing that turnover exceeded £50million for the first time. Pre tax profit for the year grew by over £1million on 2010 to £15.6 million.

Commenting on the Group's results, Group Finance Director Mike Melville said:

"2011 was another year of good growth for the Group. The rental fleet grew to in excess of 16,000 units with 75% of the units operating from overseas locations. The geographic spread of the business continued to expand, particularly in the West Africa and Caribbean markets. Production of the Group’s first Accommodation Service Vessel (ASV) was completed during the year and it had its maiden charter in the renewables sector working in the southern sector of the North Sea.

“We also completed a number of infrastructure projects during 2011 - in addition to relocating the Group Head Office to a purpose built site in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, the Group’s Norwegian and Australian companies also moved to newly constructed facilities in Stavanger and Perth respectively. These investments are part of a strategic plan to upgrade all the facilities the business operates from, in order to support the ambitious growth objectives for the Group worldwide.

“The Group’s fourth overseas subsidiary, Ferguson Group Middle East FZE, was launched in the UAE recently. We have enjoyed good growth in the region in the past few years and having our own corporate presence there cements the commitment that we are making to this market.”

“We are continuing to invest appropriately in our rental fleets and further base improvements are also planned including a brand new facility in Karratha, North West Australia, to support business growth in that part of the world. We have made a good start to 2012 with our first six months trading results in line with the plan which was set.”

The Group recently announced that Mr Melville would be moving within the Group at the end of this year to take up the position of Group Commercial Director based in Dubai, to provide further impetus to the overseas expansion efforts. The recruitment process to find a new Finance Director is due to commence shortly.

The Ferguson Group employs more than 170 people worldwide, serving the offshore container rental and accommodation modules markets. The Group, based in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, has operations in all major global oil and gas locations.