The North Sea oil boom began in the 1970s and transformed Aberdeen into the energy capital of Europe.
By the time Greenwell was founded in 1996, the city was thriving, and most of our clients were connected to the oil and gas industry.
For nearly two decades — right up until 2014 — the sector remained strong, fuelling growth not just for Aberdeen, but for businesses like ours supplying office furniture, pallet racking, cabins, and containers.
When the 2008 recession hit, followed by the dip in oil around 2010, the landscape began to change. Redundancies were widespread, but that difficult period also sparked new beginnings. Many highly skilled people set up their own companies, and Greenwell became a natural partner — offering reconditioned furniture, cabins and racking to help them get started affordably.
Around this time, we invested in strengthening our credentials — achieving ISO, Constructionline and SEIRS accreditations — allowing us to work on larger, more complex projects. From 2011 onwards, we supplied to major infrastructure developments such as the Queensferry Crossing, AWPR, A9 Dualling, Acciona, HS2, Nigg Energy Park, Aberdeen’s new Harbour, and the city’s Energy from Waste and Ness projects.
As our client base broadened, we also re-evaluated our supply chain. Until 2014, much of our racking and furniture came from China, but to reduce our carbon footprint and support closer, more sustainable sourcing, we partnered with AR Racking in Spain and Scottish furniture manufacturers. This shift improved quality control, reduced transport miles, and strengthened local relationships.
During the pandemic, when offices across Scotland stood empty, we worked hard to save and refurbish quality furniture that would otherwise have gone to landfill. On a lighter note — and very much in the spirit of Go Green, Go Greenwell — I rescued dozens of abandoned office plants, nurtured them back to life, and even sold many of them on. It became a mini regeneration project of its own, showing that with a little care, even forgotten plants can have a second life.
At the same time, modular buildings proved to be a flexible solution for businesses needing fast, adaptable space that could be installed, removed, or relocated as circumstances changed.
Today, almost 30 years on, oil and gas still play a key role in Aberdeen — but our focus is much broader. We’re now supporting clients across infrastructure, public sector, and the growing renewables market.
If there’s one thing the past three decades have taught us, it’s that adaptability is everything. Whether the challenge is economic, environmental, or logistical, Greenwell has always evolved — and we’ll continue to do so, building on our family values, strong relationships, and commitment to regeneration and responsible growth.