In a world where longevity stands as a testament to excellence, Bilfinger is celebrating 50 years of remarkable growth, countless milestones, and enduring success.
On October 10, the Bilfinger offshore maintenance business based in Aberdeen commemorates five decades in the industry, evolving into an industry leader providing industrial support to the oil and gas sector, while marking a new era of growth and expanded capabilities.
The company's journey began in 1973, when it started as Salamis (Marine and Industrial) Limited, at its Torry location. Over the years, the firm expanded its operations, moving to its current headquarters on Greenhole Place in Aberdeen with just seven office staff, three yard staff, and around 30 offshore employees.
In 1982, Bilfinger further broadened its capabilities with offshore work coming from clients including Shell, BP, Chevron, and ExxonMobil. The company's success story continued with Joint Ventures such as SGB/Salamis (SSL) and APG/Salamis (later becoming a part of Petrofac). The rapid growth of the business in the eighties led to its acquisition by Maersk in 1984, followed by further organic growth, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
In 2006, Bilfinger Salamis - now a multi-service contracting company - was acquired by Munich-based Bilfinger Berger Industrial Services marking a significant milestone in its history. March 2013 witnessed a crucial rebranding as the company transitioned into Bilfinger Salamis UK, boasting over 350 onshore staff across bases in Aberdeen and Lowestoft, as well as more than 2,000 offshore employees.
In 2022, Bilfinger Salamis and Bilfinger UK merged, uniting under the Bilfinger UK brand. This merger created one of the UK's largest tier-one engineering and maintenance contractors with a turnover of €400 million. With over 5,000 employees during peak periods and a presence in 14 onshore locations across key industrial hubs, the merger seamlessly integrated onshore and offshore capabilities. This strategic move positioned Bilfinger UK as a key contractor for delivering large renewable energy projects, playing a pivotal role in the UK's transition to net-zero emissions.
Coincidentally born in 1973 in Aberdeen - on the exact same day in October as the local Salamis company was originally founded – is Bilfinger UK’s Executive President, Sandy Bonner. He started with the company upon leaving University as a Project Engineer in 1995, and his Bilfinger journey has included the role of Operations Manager, Operations Director, Managing Director, and latterly Executive President.
Evolving with the company, Sandy has grown the business to become the largest employer in the North Sea Offshore Maintenance market. He said: “Our journey reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and delivering top-tier solutions. Over the years, we've witnessed profound changes in the oil and gas industry, and as it evolves, we evolve with it.
“As the industry shifts towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions, Bilfinger UK is at the forefront of embracing these changes. We've leveraged our decades of expertise to venture into new markets such as offshore wind, biopharma, nuclear, and other emerging markets. We recognize the global demand for energy is changing, and so are we.”
To read more about Bilfinger’s history and the services they offer, click here.