15/07/08 Certex Launches New International Offshore Division
Certex International – the largest distributor of lifting products and services in Europe – is launching a new offshore division that will give its customers access to an even greater range of quality products and innovative service solutions.
Certex International Offshore Services brings together five companies from the Foranka International AB group that are well established within the global offshore market – Certex Offshore (UK), Certex Norge (Norway), Peter Harbo (Denmark), Erling Haug (Norway) and Haug Offshore Services (Norway).
The division will be officially launched at the ONS conference and exhibition in Stavanger on 26-29 August, one of the world’s leading forums for offshore business.
All five of the component companies will continue to operate on an individual basis but as part of Certex International Offshore Services, they will be able to draw on each others extensive resources and expertise.
Dave Butler, General Manager for Certex UK’s offshore operations, believes that there will be considerable benefits for new and existing customers. “We have seen our new facility in Aberdeen double in size over the past two years and it now offers the complete range of lifting products and services, including the ability to supply and manufacture all associated rig-up equipment. The formation of Certex International Offshore Services will allow us to accelerate that growth,” he said.
Each company within the new division has its own distinct market and skills areas but there is also significant overlap in the services they offer and it is hoped that a lot can be gained by pooling resources and sharing good practice.
For example, Erling Haug in Norway has the manufacturing facilities to produce very large slings, and Certex UK are specialists in flare boom installation. The other companies in the division will now have direct access to these and other highly specialist products and services without having to go to external suppliers.
From its bases in Norway, Denmark and the UK, Certex Offshore will be in a unique position to provide a total package for all lifting solutions to the niche offshore market, including product supply and hire, inspection and testing, repair and maintenance, certification management and training services.
Its engineers are also second to none in terms of competency and are fully trained and experienced in the complexities of the offshore environment, with qualifications approved by regulatory bodies such as ASNT, LEEA, OPITO and LOLER. They are able to provide expert services both on and offshore to help customers deal with the most complex lifting demands.
Between them, the division’s companies already look after the needs of some of the biggest names in the global offshore industry, including AMEC, BP, Sparrows Offshore Services, Perenco, Aker Kvaerner, Maersk Olje, Kongsberg Offshore, Statoil and Norsk Hydro.
Charles Gillespie, Director of Sales and Marketing at Certex UK, sees the new division as a positive development for both the individual companies and their customers. “At the beginning of the year, Certex UK was acquired by Foranka International AB and being able to work alongside other industry professionals is undoubtedly one of the benefits of being part of such a prestigious international group.
“We will still operate on a ‘business as usual’ basis and build on our success in offering a responsive specialised service matched to the individual needs of our customers. However, we now have the added advantage of being part of the new offshore division, which will give us extra combined purchasing and delivery power to help our customers find the very best economical and logistical solution to any requirement in the rope, rigging and lifting business,” he said.
Certex’s new international offshore division can draw on a wide range of specialist testing facilities.
The companies making up Certex Offshore
Certex Offshore (UK)
Certex Offshore (UK) is part of Certex UK – one of the UK’s leading distributors of lifting products, services and lashing products. The company has two specialist offshore centres in Great Yarmouth and Aberdeen, catering for the specific needs of this niche market. Both centres offer an around-the-clock, 365-days-a-year service which includes lifting gear sales, product hire, repair and maintenance, product inspection and testing, certification management as well as training services.
Certex Norge A/S (Norway)
Certex Norge A/S has over 30 years’ experience in supplying rigging equipment to the Norwegian oil related industry, servicing small, local units as well as large international operators. A full range of pressing, testing and repair facilities is available to meet any demand and the company has extensive technical resources to support process and product development, design and manufacture and the provision of a comprehensive range of services.
Peter Harbo A/S (Denmark)
Based in Esbjerg, Peter Harbo A/S provides professional lifting equipment and services to the marine, industrial and offshore sectors in Denmark and worldwide. The company also has a branch office in Fredericia, which comprises a complete test and rigger shop, as well as sewing facilities for the fabrication of roundslings, lashing equipment and special products.
Erling Haug A/S (Norway)
With a head office in Trondheim, Erling Haug provides all types of lifting equipment, products and services to both offshore and onshore markets. The company’s engineers also have considerable expertise in designing and constructing lifting systems to suit individual customer’s needs.
Haug Offshore Services (Norway)
Haug Offshore Services are part of the Erling Haug Group and operate from a base in Kristianson. The company supplies logistic and technical services to the offshore industry – from exploration drilling via supply and subsea installations to operations and extractions. Its customers include shipping lines, shipyards, engineering works and the fishing industry.
Foranka International AB
Forankra International AB is a subsidiary to Axel Johnson International and is the leading supplier of lifting and lashing equipment in Europe. Forankra International AB designs and supplies equipment and materials for the lifting and securing of cargo to trucks, trailers, aircraft and Ro-Ro vessels. Customers include some of the biggest shipping and transport companies in the world, as well as major airlines, car manufacturers, paper mills and steel industries. Forankra International AB has subsidiaries in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Holland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Russia. Forankra International AB has a turnover of 220million Euro and 900 employees.