An award-winning Aberdeenshire business has been praised for its achievements in international trade and its commitment to youth employment by its local MSP Gillian Martin.
Oldmeldrum-based Flowline Specialists recently welcomed the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeenshire East to its Colpy Way premises, allowing her an opportunity to learn more its business.
The visit followed the energy industry equipment manufacturer and service provider being presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade last year. Recognised internationally, the award is the highest official UK business award and acknowledges the successful internationalisation strategy that Flowline Specialists has adopted in recent years.
Established in 2001, Flowline Specialists employs over 50 staff at its premises in Oldmeldrum and Fyvie. The equipment it designs, engineers and manufactures is used in the energy, subsea and renewable industries around the world to safely handle flexible pipes, umbilicals and cables.
Flowline Specialists is committed to ensuring that a skills gap does not develop within its workforce and provides relevant training opportunities for all its staff to help combat this national industry-wide issue. The firm also regularly employs school leavers as apprentice technicians and engineers, with a number of its current staff having joined via this route.
During her visit, Ms Martin received a tour of the firm’s headquarters and meet with members of its staff, including some that have recently completed apprenticeships. She was also shown some of the equipment that Flowline Specialists manufactures and supplies to clients in the oil and gas, subsea and renewable industries, including tensioners, linear cable engines and subsea turntables.
Gillian Martin MSP, a member of the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work committee at Holyrood, said: “I was delighted to visit Flowline Specialists and find out more about their operation, especially as they are one of a growing number of companies who have signed the Scottish Business Pledge. As well as paying the living wage, taking the pledge commits businesses to working towards eight other goals, including investing in youth.
“It is clear from Flowline’s apprenticeship programme that they already value the contribution young people can make to the development of a business. I’d encourage other businesses to follow their example.”
Jim Smith, CEO of Flowline Specialists, said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors to our premises and provide them with a greater insight into our overall business. Ms Martin was keen to see some of the equipment that we design, engineer and manufacture, and better understand the part we play in the oil and gas, renewable and decommissioning sectors.
“Apprentices play an important role within our organisation. Not only do apprentices help sustain our skillset, they can also provide fresh thinking when it comes to delivering projects for our clients. Every business has a part to play in ensuring that their specific sector has a healthy ratio of young people working within it in order to avoid future skill shortages. Flowline Specialists is proud to play its part within the energy industry.”
Headquartered in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, Flowline Specialists designs, engineers and manufactures a wide range of equipment for the global oil, gas, subsea and renewable industries. All of its equipment is road mobile and ferry compatible for rapid deployment in the UK and Europe. Established in 2001, the firm employs over 50 staff and has an additional manufacturing base at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire and operational bases in Norway, The Netherlands, Dubai and Singapore. For more information, visit www.flowlinespecialists.com or telephone +44 (0)1651 871872.