Anson delivers first order to Russians
Apr 14 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal
THE booming global market for oil has seen a North East firm deliver its first multi-million pound order for Russian firm Gazprom, providing further indication of the strength of the sector in the region.
Gateshead-based manufacturing firm Anson has expanded its workforce from 250 to 380 in the last two years with the help of its Russian operations and hopes to increase this to more than 400 by the end of the year.
The firm believes further expansion in the region and the strength of the current oil price will help increase its £40m turnover to more than £45m in three years. It is also looking at almost doubling its factory space.
Last week Anson completed its first order for Gazprom – after opening a sales office in Moscow in 2006 – which involved supplying 92,000kgs of equipment to the Russian oil and gas company.
Anson, established 27 years ago, provides a number of products to the oil sector and gas sectors, including valves and pipeline laying equipment.
Director Bill Delaney said: “The award and completion of the order with Gazprom has been achieved following several years of equipment testing within Russia and we are confident that these will provide us with opportunities to gain further work in the area during the next five years, resulting in further growth and expansion of our company.”
The firm now has plans to extend its Gateshead headquarters in the Team Valley Trading Estate and has earmarked 13 acres of land to add to its current 15 acres, spread across two sites in the area. The company also has offices in Houston, Dubai, Singapore and Aberdeen and exports around 75% of its products.
Recent success stories include Washington-based NOF Energy setting up a new office in Aberdeen and the news that Newcastle-based Fabricom Offshore Services is to create 250 jobs by 2011 (see below). Around 50 North East firms are currently involved in the subsea oil sector in the region, employing 5,000 people and contributing £500m to the local economy.
Chris Henderson, sales marketing manager at Anson, said: “Although it can prove difficult to find the right staff, the North East has a strong manufacturing history and is a good place to grow an oil and gas based business.”
New airline service will boost oil sector: Page 27
