Specialist Services

Specialist Services acquires rental assets of HB Rentals outside the Americas

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Further to the continuous development and expansion of Specialist Services Group in Europe, Middle East and Asia, this month we have completed the acquisition of rental assets of HB Rentals outside the Americas for an undisclosed sum.

HB Rentals have serviced their clients with this fleet of offshore accommodation modules and Zone rated office modules from their two locations in Aberdeen in the UK and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. “That geographic footprint, as well as their high quality assets, are very similar to our own rental fleet, but we believe in the value add of acquiring a sizable quantity of 8 man offshore ABS certified accommodation modules. These units significantly increase our capacity to offer larger temporary living quarter solutions in Europe, Middle East and Asia,” said Ian Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Specialist Services Group.

Along with the rental assets comes a series of new and existing customers, who have been renting these modular buildings from HB Rentals. These assets, contracts and customers are now all part of the Specialist Services Group business since Monday, 12th October 2020.

Specialist Services founding Director, Philip Bond, concluded: “I am pleased that we have bought these assets from HB Rentals. This will strengthen our rental business and having done it in the current market conditions says a lot about Specialist Services Group and our team.”

Safe and Comfortable Living and Working Solutions for Offshore Drilling Rigs

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Life on offshore drilling rigs has many challenges. On jack-ups, semisubmersibles, and drillships, your personnel works hard on a very restricted space and far away from home and their loved ones. But thanks to today’s technology, safety measures and modern solutions, you can create a more comfortable and safe living and working environment for your people. And we are here to help.

Safe and Comfortable Living Spaces

Who says comfort and luxury cannot be found offshore? Take a look at our FLEX series of linkable Accommodation Modules that incorporate luxury with all the stringent safety requirements offshore. Our FLEX series features the latest digital, communication and entertainment technology as a standard. Each bed includes an individual LCD TV with CAT 6, HDMI, USB and audio connectivity. USB ports are also available for mobile phone charging, as well as network sockets with Wi-Fi option for each room.

We know that safety offshore cannot be compromised, especially on offshore drilling rigs. Taking safety very seriously, all our modules are built to the latest marine requirements using IMO Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) as the primary guideline, but also using other guidelines, such as ABS and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) or individual Flag statutes, dependent upon specific project requirements. In addition, all our offshore modules are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to every mobilization, which is especially important during this COVID-19 period.

We know what we are doing. With over 38 years of experience in the industry and with one of the world’s largest A60 Modular Hire fleets, Specialist Services is ideally placed to advise you on a number of solutions to fit your specific offshore accommodation requirements. When your operations face new or unforeseen challenges, we are here to support you with convenient solutions for your temporary requirements.

From Single Units to Complete TLQ Solutions

In one of the world’s most tightly regulated industries operating in the harshest environmental conditions, you need safe and reliable accommodation solutions that will protect your personnel. All our units are flexible, linkable, upgradable and comfortable, and can therefore suit your exact project requirements. With easy ‘plug & play’ hook-up, our Accommodation, Utility and Office Modules can be hired as single units or as a complete complex.

1 to 12 Man Accommodation Modules

All of our certified offshore Accommodation Modules are designed to provide longevity and low maintenance service in the most demanding locations, whilst meeting the necessary safety requirements for offshore use. All our Accommodation Modules are A60, ABS, DNV 2.7-1 and CSC Certified Safe Area and come as standard size of ISO 20ft and 33ft. However, we pride ourselves in our flexibility to provide other size solutions where required.

Our FLEX 33 Accommodation Modules offer you a flexible bed space from 1 to 12 man. Each unit consists of a central corridor and two staterooms, accommodating 1 to 6 persons. Each stateroom provides distinctive floorplan flexibility including bunks, lockers and desk removal or addition to meet your project specific requirements for maximised space efficiency.

Designed to offer a flexible lay down solution with minimal footprint, with integrated corridors, FLEX 33 can be hired as single units or as a complete complex with the central corridor easily linking the units. In line with ABS and other international certification and safety requirements, the modules can be stacked up to 4 levels on floating installations and on a fixed platform. Compliant with the stringent ABS code, FLEX 33 has been engineered and built to provide comfort, safety and reliability, meeting the highest global specifications and standards for offshore applications.

Complemented by Utility Modules

For complete TLQ solutions, we complement our Accommodation Modules with certified offshore temporary Utility Modules. These come as standard size of ISO 20ft, but with our flexibility, we can provide also other size solutions where required. In addition, internal fit outs can be designed to meet your project specific requirements. Our A60 offshore Utility Modules range includes: Kitchen and Dining Modules, Freezer and Chiller Modules, Laundry and Ablution Modules, as well as Recreation and Fitness Modules.

Working Offshore in Our Office Modules

To fully support your offshore operations, we also provide a range of A60 offshore Office Modules, from 10ft to 33ft, as well as NORSOK units. Engineered and manufactured in house to the highest industry standards, all our Office Modules are designed to optimise workspace efficiency, meet environment and acoustic requirements, and house your specialist equipment and resources in a safe and comfortable environment. All units can be outfitted and modified to perform any number of functions to suit your specific project requirements.

Modular Walkway and Stairs System

Within TLQ Solutions, a safe and easy access to the various units is also very important. All Accommodation, Utility and Office Modules can be stacked through our walkway systems. With limited space available offshore and easy transportation in mind, we have developed a modular walkway and stairs system that can be transported in a 20ft container. Each piece can fit together to form different layouts, as per your requirements. This system compliments our Modular Hire packages as a complete solution for the needs of any TLQ project.

Full Turnkey Solution for Your TLQ Projects

For modular TLQ projects we also provide supply and installation at your site as a turnkey solution. Our teams have decades of experience and technical know-how in performing installation services in coordination with your personnel and other contractors on site. All of our certified offshore accommodation modules and facility support modules are designed to provide longevity and low maintenance service.

Contact us for more information. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you with your upcoming requirements.

Modular Building Refurbishment for ExLog

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Specialist Services successfully completed the Refurbishment works of a 27ft modular building for ExLog

In October 2019, ExLog awarded Specialist Services the Refurbishment works for one of their 27ft modular buildings manufactured in 1998.

Client: ExLog
End User: ExLog
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Project Completion: January 2020

Project requirements

In August 2019, ExLog sent a requirement to Specialist Services for refurbishment works of a 27ft Zone II certified modular building and then awarded the project in October 2019, with a project timeline of 10 weeks. The unit was manufactured in 1998 by Labtech Services Limited in the UK, a Specialist Services Group Company since 2011.

The full scope of work was determined following a visual survey of the unit by a Specialist Services Engineer, which included the following:

  • Full external blasting and painting
  • Supply and installation of new logos
  • Supply and replacement of A60 door lock, door hinges and seal
  • Supply and installation of door closer
  • Repairs of B15 door and replacement of gasket
  • Repairs of Sink and cleaning of rested area
  • Supply and installation of window glass and repairs of frame
  • Replacement of emergency door lock and handle
  • Cleaning of emergency door rested area
  • Supply and replacement of drawer locks
  • Painting of metallic rusted drawers
  • MPI to be carried out by a third party along with inspection
  • Sling recertification
  • Replacement of MCT blocks
  • Complete testing of electrical and pressurisation system
  • Complete servicing of A/C system

Solution

Following the cabin delivery at the Specialist Services yard, after systems’ power on, a number of other required repairs have been identified. These included the failure of various A/C system components, fire & gas detection devices, and other areas. In addition, during the blasting and painting process, we identified further structural issues, which resulted in the required replacement of the A60 main door and emergency escape hatch.

Within the tight timeline, we worked closely with the Client for the additional works requirements, sourcing all additional material, and delivering the refurbished unit within the agreed deadline. The project has been completed in line with all the requirements and specifications.

Conclusion

The Client was very satisfied with the quality of our Refurbishment works, and with our project management skills used in the completion of all additional replacements and repairs without any delays. As a result, ExLog extended the order to carry out a variety of refurbishment works on four modular buildings. The refurbished unit is now being used by ExLog in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Specialist Services Group Celebrating 38 Years

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This year, Specialist Services Group is celebrating 38 years of operations as a global supplier of oilfield equipment, modular buildings and packaging solutions for people and equipment in the oil and gas, utility, petrochemical, power, renewables, and defence industries.

Throughout almost four decades, we have developed and refined an international capability in design, engineering, manufacture, installation, and support across our broad range of products and services. At the same time, we have also expanded geographically, with the aim of supporting our clients worldwide through our facilities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America.

A Brief Overview of Our Milestones

Founded in 1982 as ASCO Specialist Services, in 1985, Specialist Services became a sole proprietorship company owned by Philip Bond. During the first decade of its operations, the company provided quality products and solutions for some of the key players in the Oil & Gas industry, such as TOTAL ABK, Bundoq, Saudi Aramco, and Larsen and Toubro, among others.

Our Facilities

During the first 20 years, our facilities expanded first in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, followed by 15 years of global expansion first into South East Asia and Australia markets with Specialist Services Holdings Pte Ltd established in Singapore in 2010, and in Europe through the acquisition of Labtech Services Limited in Aberdeen, UK, in 2011. This was followed by the setup of a new company in India, Specialist Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., and two Joint Venture Companies with RedGuard from the USA, including RedGuard Specialist Services based in UAE (2016) and Specialist Services RedGuard based in the USA (2017).

Our Product Range

Known in the industry as a provider of reliable and internationally compliant products, we started with Buildings, fire rated products and EPC projects. Over the last two decades, we then expanded our solutions range by adding Modular Hire, Drilling, Testing, Production and Process Packages (DTPP), as well as turn-key Facilities Management Solutions.

Throughout the years, we have been continuously innovating our products and services, to provide the best solutions for our clients. Within our DTPP solutions, we lead the market designing and delivering onshore and offshore modular well test packages, we have produced the world’s first scalable and flexible modular early production facilities, and also developed and delivered a stand-alone process heater with Sil 2 burner management system for Zone II hazardous area installation. Within our Buildings product range, we provide fully modular living quarters and stressed skin living quarters, and recently we also introduced and delivered modular shooting ranges, modular blast-rated multi-level plant control buildings, and stand-alone self-sufficient blast-rated and gas over-pressured refuge buildings. Within our Modular Hire division, we have also developed the world’s largest ABS compliant offshore accommodation fleet.

Our quality assurance processes and certification verify that our products and services meet the highest quality standards. Our latest certification includes Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 450001:2018.

Our Largest Projects

Throughout the years, within our Buildings division, we have worked on various large projects, such as 58 Man Living Quarters for ConocoPhillips, Bongkot Phase 4A Living Quarters Platform for PTTEP in Thailand, a 50 man Living Quarters Extension for Chevron in Thailand, Local Equipment Room and Local Control Room Buildings for Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) in UAE, a Control Building for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in Kuwait, Substation Modules for National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and ADMA-OPCO in UAE, and the latest large project—70 Man 4-Level Living Quarter for Mubadala Petroleum in Malaysia, among others.

Some of Our Latest Achievements

In 2013, DNV GL awarded us the renewal of the DNV Manufacturing Survey Arrangement (or MSA), confirming once again Specialist Services’ high quality and reliable products manufacture, while in 2014, the Public Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality awarded Specialist Services as a role model organisation in the manufacturing sector for the management of occupational health and safety during the year 2012-2013. The same year, we launched the G4 Global, the first globally compliant office module, and received the Type Approval (TA) Certificate from ABS for 20ft A60 4 Men Portable Accommodation Modules. A year later, we launched FLEX 33 Accommodation Modules, compliant with the stringent ABS code.

In 2016, Zakher Marine International awarded us a rental contract for a 77-module, 150 man TLQ complex to accommodate ZADCO personnel offshore Abu Dhabi—one of the largest TLQ projects in the world. The same year, we also celebrated 6 million man-hours without Lost Time Injuries. Since 2017, we have been also achieving very high Customer Loyalty Score results, above 70%, and since 2019 over 80%, which reflect a high level of customer satisfaction with our solutions. This year, Abdul K. Molla, Welder at Specialist Services, won the first prize at SteelFab 2020 in UAE, proving the high level of professionalism of our employees.

This is just a short snapshot of some of our achievements, proving our quality and professionalism in all aspects of our business. While we are proud of what we have accomplished over almost four decades, we still have ambitious plans for the future.

CoverSix Dedicated Website for Defence and Security Solutions

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RedGuard has been successfully providing products to the US military and defence clients for several years now under the CoverSix brand, and together with Specialist Services, we have taken this product range globally through our Joint Venture Company—RedGuard Specialist Services. With a wide variety of modular buildings for protection and security, CoverSix has now a dedicated website, providing detailed information about these hardened structures.

The product line features modular buildings equipped with customised threat mitigation, such as ballistic resistance, blast resistance, and resistance to forced entry. CoverSix also includes modular training range facilities, custom-outfitted ISO containers for use as mobile office locations and portable storage units. Scalable in size, CoverSix has a solution to keep personnel and assets safe and secure, no matter where duty calls.

At Specialist Services, we understand that mission-specific requirements are complex and can vary depending on your mission requirements. Therefore, together with RedGuard, we decided to provide those in the defence and security industry with a website focused entirely on their requirements.

With our strategic alliance with RedGuard, we are able to immediately address the requirements for specialised and hardened modular buildings serving the needs of defence, federal, and security customers worldwide.

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 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.

Specialist Services achieves Achilles Power & Tech Accreditation

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Specialist Services has recently become Achilles Power & Tech accredited. This means that we are now a registered supplier in the Achilles Power & Tech Community for the following products / services:

  • 1.1.83 Structural products
  • 1.1.85 Prefabricated buildings
  • 1.1.86 Structural products and parts except prefabricated buildings
  • 1.1.88 Windows, doors and related items
  • 4.1.44 Construction works for plants, mining and manufacturing and for buildings relating to the oil and gas industry

This accreditation also means that Specialist Services information related to the following criteria has been checked and validated by Achilles Information Limited, an independent third party:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Health & Safety Management
  • Quality Management
  • Environmental Management
  • Carbon Management
  • Financial & Insurance
  • Information Security & Data Protection

View our certificate

Creating and managing a global network of collaborative industry communities, Achilles allows trading partners to share structured, high quality, real-time data. Based on their industry expertise, supported by the use of cloud-based technology, Achilles act as an independent partner, which provides validated data and insightful analytics. This enables buyers across a specific sector to identify and manage suppliers and risk, in order to increase their market reach, while minimising costs and increasing compliance for the overall network.

To learn more about Achilles please visit their website.