News

New Regional Office in the Netherlands

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Further to the continuous development and expansion of Specialist Services Group in Europe, we are adding sales and technical support staff for the region. The team will be based in our new offices in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, complementing our existing yard and rental fleet in Holland.

“This new regional office marks another important milestone at Specialist Services Group. As we further penetrate the European and North Sea market, we are able to better support our Clients from two facilities with offices, yards and rental fleet in this region—Labtech in Aberdeen (UK) and now also from Rotterdam,” said Ian Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Specialist Services Group.

The new office is located in Albert Plesmanweg, Waalhaven area, and includes office space for our regional Sales and Technical Support Team.

“Supported by our Engineering and Manufacturing capabilities in Dubai and New Delhi, this new facility brings significant benefits to the Group by providing BRMs and Modular Hire solutions at competitive rates for immediate delivery, as well as other products from our Buildings, Drilling, Testing, Production and Process Equipment ranges. These are also complemented by refurbishment works, as well as a responsive call out service and maintenance works,” said Chris Ridley, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Specialist Services Group.

Visit our Contact page for the new office location and contact details.

Abdul K. Molla, Welder at Specialist Services, wins First Prize at SteelFab 2020

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From January 13th to 16th, 2020 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE, took place the 16th edition of SteelFab, the Middle East premier trade show for the metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry. At the event, SteelFab together with Lincoln Electric and the Middle East Industrial Training Institute (MEITI) also hosted the inaugural Best Welder @SteelFab competition for welding industry professionals across the region.

Confident in our Welders’ expertise, during December 2019, we organised an internal welding competition at Specialist Services ASME facility in Al Quoz, Dubai, to select the four best Welders to enter the SteelFab competition: Noor Jamal, Mohamed Salem, Abdul Korim Molla and Rubal Hussain.

For the welding competition was used a Carbon Steel ASTM A36 plate (12.7mm thick) with the Electrode for SMAW – E 7018 (Shield Metal Arc Weld). Each participant had to do four rounds with positions of 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G. The welded test coupon was selected based on Visual or NDT test.

After the completion of the test coupons by all participants, the Judging Panel selected the best three welders, where Abdul Korim Molla, Specialist Services, won the First Prize. The Second Prize went to Dubai Drydocks and the Third Prize to FabTech.

Manoj Kumar, Director of Operations at Specialist Services Group said that “welding is one of the most critical and central shop floor activities, as we are in the manufacturing industry. This is a proud moment as we won the first prize when competing against key players in the industry. It further reinforces that we have the best in class technicians and we continue to enhance their skills through training.”

     

This achievement reflects the high quality we continuously pursue at Specialist Services Group, where we have a strong, systematic and structured welding framework. “The way we manage the welding process, from the qualification and selection of Welders, their training, the weld design and testing (WPS / PQR), and the maintenance of welding equipment, to controls during the welding process, traceability and consumables control, all the way to the final inspection and acceptance of the welds is praiseworthy,” said Kirankumar Nagare, QHSE Manager at Specialist Services Group

Congratulations from everyone at Specialist Services Group to Abdul for this achievement, and to all the other participants for their excellent work!

We would like to thank SteelFab, Lincoln Electric and the MEITI for organizing this competition and look forward to participate in the next one.

Specialist Services relaunches company websites

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Welcome to the Specialist Services Group website!

“On the occasion of our 36th anniversary, and to reflect the continued development of our products, services and locations, we are proud to relaunch our website. This reflects our culture, diversity and focus on providing quality products and services in a safe manner to a number of industry sectors,” highlights Chris Ridley, Group Sales and Marketing Director.

The website has been designed and developed with improved navigation and functionality in order to provide a much more user-friendly experience and allowing a simpler access to our company details as well as products and services details. Information are easily accessible through the header menu, in respective sections, and our products and services pages are complemented by product e-brochures. You can also stay informed through the latest news of the company and visit regularly our Careers pages in order to find out more about our current openings.

We invite all visitors to explore the website. For more information about our products and services you can visit our Contact page in order to choose one of our regional offices or you can simply send us an email at sales@specserve.com.

“We look forward to another year of growth at Specialist Services,” concludes Chris.

Specialist Services delivered 100 Man TLQ Complex in a record time of 4 weeks

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We are proud to announce that we have manufactured, installed, commissioned and handed over a 27-module, 100 man ABS / DNV certified TLQ complex in a record-breaking time of 28 days. The project has been awarded to Specialist Services based on our longstanding relationship with the Client and our capability to design, manufacture and certify this complex project with a very tight delivery to site lead time.

On 6th April 2018, we have been awarded a rental contract for the supply of a 27-module TLQ complex to accommodate 100 POB for a minimum contract duration of 2 years. All 27 modules were required to be ABS and DNV certified for installation on a jack-up barge. All modules were also required to be new to fulfill the contractual requirement and were supplied as a mix of single man and 4 man modules. The most critical part of the project was the extremely short delivery time of 4 weeks.

Based on our outstanding in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Specialist Services created a crash production schedule, detailing every element of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning activities for the fabrication of the 27 ABS / DNV certified A60 Accommodation Modules, utilising our existing Type Approved designs. Internal processes were streamlined and optimised to ensure that schedules were met, whilst also meeting the stringent requirements for ABS and DNV with regard to in-process and final inspections. The delivery of all units from Specialist Services facility in Jebel Ali to the Client’s site in Ras Al Khaimah required multiple trailers in rotation and in line with the pre-planned installation sequence.

 

Kevin Murphy, Manager: Estimation & Engineering – Buildings, said: “On site, Specialist Services personnel demonstrated outstanding professionalism, dedication and technical know-how in coordinating with the Client, Class Surveyors and other contractors throughout the installation of the modules on board the vessel”.

The TLQ Complex has been installed on the jack-up barge on 5th May 2018 and will be used to safely and comfortably accommodate 100 personnel working on a project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Our teams in Jebel Ali yard and on site in Ras Al Khaimah worked tirelessly for four weeks to complete the project in this short lead time to an extremely high standard, demonstrating outstanding dedication and excellent work,” concluded Kevin Murphy.

During this project, Specialist Services showcased its market leading technical expertise, fabrication capability and, more importantly, its high standards of professionalism and teamwork.

LABTECH Open Day on 1st June 2018

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We are glad to announce that we will be holding an Open Day on Friday, 1st June 2018, to celebrate Labtech Services Limited relocation from East Tullos to Kirkhill Industrial Estate, Dyce, and to showcase the enhanced servicing and refurbishment capabilities we can now offer here in Aberdeen.

We would like to invite all our customers and business partner to join us on the day for a guided tour of our new facility and offer further insights into Labtech & Specialist Services, and how we can work with our customers to support their operational requirements.

During the day, we will have some of our hire units on display, including NORSOK Office units, Workshops and Accommodation units. Representatives from Specialist Services Group will also join us for this event and will address any questions you might have.

Brief event information:

  • Date: Friday, 1st June 2018
  • Time: Drop-in between 10:00 – 15:00
  • Location: Labtech Services Limited, Kirkhill Industrial Estate, Dyce, Aberdeen
  • Directions to our new facility can be found here – https://goo.gl/maps/dHL8tweJAhL2
  • We will also provide light refreshments / lunch

There will be also a raffle draw on the day for a Fitbit Charge2 and Amazon Echo. Just bring your business card to enter the draw.

Please RSVP to andy.watson@labtechmodular.com by Friday, 25th May 2018. Should any other members of your team or organisation wish to come along, please just indicate to us the number or forward this invite on to them.

Looking forward to see you there.

Labtech offers enhanced refurbishment services from new premises in Dyce

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In response to improving market conditions in the Oil & Gas Industry and following an increasing demand for Modular Buildings rental and support services, Labtech Services Limited has relocated its facilities in Aberdeen, with enhanced refurbishment services.

“This change marks another important milestone at Labtech and Specialist Services Group. The currently improving market conditions in the industry are reflected in an increased demand for modular building rentals, service, maintenance and refurbishment works, as well as new builds. During the past two years, Labtech has been focused mainly on providing Modular Hire units for rental and service works, and in response to increased demands has now relocated to a larger facility in Aberdeen, from where we can offer enhanced refurbishment services to our clients,” said Ian Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Specialist Services Group.

The new facility is located in The Bond Building on Howemoss Drive, Kirkhill Industrial Estate, Dyce, and includes office space for the Labtech team, a workshop and a yard for our Modular Hire fleet storage, refurbishment, recertification and modification works.

  

“We already have the highest specification and newest Office Module fleet available anywhere in Europe and to support the increased demand we are experiencing for our Modular Hire units, we are expanding our fleet in Aberdeen, including our fully ABS compliant FLEX 33 Accommodation Modules. Our Modular Hire fleet, along with our service capabilities covering HVAC, F-GAS, ATEX and IECEx recertification, will now also be complemented by refurbishment works, which represents an exciting next step in Labtech’s development. In addition, Labtech will continue to deliver new build solutions to our client base manufactured at our Group facility in Dubai, ensuring internationally compliant products at commercially competitive costs,” said Chris Ridley, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Specialist Services Group.

The facility relocation will bring significant benefits to Labtech and Specialist Services Group by providing sought after Modular Hire units at competitive rates for immediate delivery, responsive call out service and maintenance works, and also refurbishment works.

Visit our Contact page for Labtech new location and contact details.

New Group Vision, Mission and QHSE Objectives

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For this new financial year at Specialist Services, we have prepared a new set of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Objectives, related also to our Vision and Mission statements.

This year in particular, we are focusing much more on the issue of sustainability and the positive impact we can have on the environment, if we use sustainable, resource efficient materials and designs. In fact, environmental protection is a fundamental business endeavour at Specialist Services Group. We make every effort to nurture the environment, preserve natural resources and minimise the impact of our products, activities and services on the environment. We also constantly communicate about the importance of environmental protection to our people, business partners and other stakeholders.

We are committed to manage waste effectively, prevent pollution, use environmentally friendly material and apply our technical abilities for the reduction of our environmental footprint, particularly in the design and engineering of our products. In line with this, we have refined how we measure the reduction in consumable items, such as electricity, paper and plastic, to benchmark it against how busy we are as an organisation. We have also introduced several new objectives to focus on reducing the generation of waste and our carbon footprint, and stated our intent to do more through additional green initiatives.

Furthermore, this year, we have introduced a new objective about ‘health and happiness’ in support of our people as part of our Group Vision 2020.

We look forward to achieving these new goals through raising awareness, enthusiasm and efforts from all our people.

Take a look at our Group Vision, Mission and QHSE Objectives.

Specialist Services Group Event 2018

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We are glad to share with you a snapshot from the Specialist Services Group Event 2018, which took place in Dubai on 15th March 2018.

The event started with a Group Conference at the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel in Dubai, with presentations from the Management Team related to the Group Vision 2020, our projects and services, our two joint venture companies (RedGuard Specialist Services based in Dubai and Specialist Services RedGuard based in Houston), and our business transformation activities.

After the conference, we all enjoyed a dinner cruise on board Bateau Dubai, where we signed our commitment to the Vision 2020 and participated in a team competition. The event concluded with the distribution of Long Service Awards to our employees achieving 10, 15 and 20 years of service at Specialist Services. Congratulations again to all awardees!

 

In below video you can take a look at a snapshot from the event.

Technical Article about blast protection published in Hydrocarbon Engineering

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Blast Protection

Despite the challenging economic situation since 2008, with a further downturn in the oil & gas industry in 2013, we have seen a continuous progress in the blast-resistance industry. Even though blast-resistant modular buildings design and engineering advances, there are still gaps related to certification, regulation and blast testing guidelines.

In this technical article, Natasa Kobal, Marketing and Communications Manager, speaks to Hydrocarbon Engineering exploring the best industry practices and options available to protect people and assets from blast in oil, gas and petrochemical plants. Read the full article at: https://d1tp9je03a4iqr.cloudfront.net/flip/hydrocarbon-engineering/2018/March/d13f4fJ.html#26
Even though in some cases facilities are well run and undergo regular checks and improvements, a major blast could occur without warning for various reasons. It is, therefore, important to take all the necessary precautions in order to minimise risks and ensure blast protection.

 

There are still no official regulations covering the requirements related to blast-resistant buildings. As such, it is important to select effective providers of blast-resistant buildings, which have introduced their own high standards to ensure personnel and assets safety in case of a blast. Engineered to our industry-leading safety specifications, each RedGuard Specialist Services blast-resistant module adheres to the requirements of API RP 753 and API RP 752 and applies a proven, successfully blast tested design.

Specialist Services approved vendor for Blast Resistant Buildings with KNPC

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Specialist Services has recently become an approved vendor for Blast Resistant Steel Shelters with Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC).

Our Blast Resistant Buildings (including modular buildings) are built in compliance with global standards for Hazardous Area operation. Depending on project-specific requirements, our modules are structurally built to resist blast loads of various levels. Engineered and constructed to the highest industry standards, our Blast Resistant Buildings will keep personnel and assets safe.

Our range of Blast Resistant Modules include:

  • Refuge Shelters
  • Emergency Shelters
  • Bunkers
  • Engineering Modules
  • Laboratories
  • Mudlogging Units
  • Control Rooms
  • E-Houses
  • Workshops
  • Utility Modules
  • And more

We have a rental fleet of Blast Resistant Modular Buildings ready for immediate deployment, through our Joint Venture Company – RedGuard Specialist Services. We can also provide bespoke design solutions based on your specifications and requirements to be used in all global locations.

Having in-house engineering and manufacturing capability, as well as the knowledge of relevant global standards and certification, we can work with you to ensure that the project specific requirements are satisfied.

 

This latest approval received from KNPC represents a further recognition of Specialist Services capabilities in providing world class products in the oil & gas, refinery, petrochemical and chemical industries.

A subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), and part of downstream sector, KNPC is Kuwait’s only refining company, providing the local market with all needs of fuels, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene and gas. These and other products are also dedicated to the international markets. Find out more about KNPC on their website.