Altrad Sparrows, a global provider of specialist engineering, inspection, operations and maintenance services to the offshore energy, industrial and renewables sectors, has been granted Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) status, enhancing its position as a key player in the offshore renewables market.
In 2023, Altrad Sparrows secured a place on the highly competitive F4OR programme – an industry-initiative set up by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult - with the remit of developing a competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain.
The unique initiative helps UK supply chain businesses get ready to bid for work by having the expert tools, knowledge and key management systems in place to enable success.
Steven Gray, head of business development at Altrad Sparrows, said: “It’s a great honour to achieve this on our 50th anniversary year. Although we have been actively involved in the offshore wind industry for many years, our participation in the scheme gave us the added opportunity to enhance our business processes and deepen our knowledge of the industry, which strengthens our ability to secure future contracts.”
Chloe Gribble, business development co-ordinator Europe, added: “This achievement significantly strengthens our position when collaborating with developers and clients in the market. The programme is recognised throughout the offshore renewables industry, and the granted status of F4OR reflects our commitment to working in this space with the same level of excellence as we do in the Oil and Gas industry. Our teams’ collective effort and experience from across the business, were vital to our success in securing the status.”
Completion of the programme, which was developed with input from major industry developers, spanned 18 months, during which the Altrad Sparrows’ team was supported by F4OR industrial and business excellence advisors who assessed existing processes and assisted with process changes in efforts to meet the standards required in sector-specific knowledge and business excellence.
The recognition underscores Altrad Sparrows competence as a knowledgeable supplier of offshore renewables and the status is valid for up to three years, establishing the company among a select group of only 74 businesses in the UK recognised by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
John Best, Senior Consultant, Opergy Group, who was part of the advisory team, said: “I was delighted to work with the team at Altrad Sparrows, under the guidance of Chloe Gribble. As with many large organisations, the capability, capacity, and experience to become Fit for Offshore Renewables was in place. However, the F4OR programme through both Business Excellence and Sector Specific mentoring ensures these key elements are focused, embedded, and deployed in a structured way to add sustainable value through a managed Continual Strategic Improvement Plan.”