North’s skills prove to be key

Jan 12 2010 by jez Davison, Evening Gazette

A DARLINGTON engineering consultancy is eyeing Norway as a key growth market after securing an order with one of Europe’s biggest energy companies.

Stapleton International is conducting project planning work for Statoil, the Stavanger-based global energy giant with operations in 40 countries, 30,000 employees and a market capitalisation of around USD $80bn (£50bn).

The Tees Valley firm has also formed an alliance with Oslo-based Holte Consulting, an international provider of consulting services, training and project management systems.

Their partnership will see Stapleton use Holte’s Oslo base to expand its reach in the Norwegian market, while Holte will tap into the Darlington firm’s expertise in the oil and gas, petrochemical and energy sectors.

Stapleton, which generates 70% of its turnover from overseas clients, is hoping to capitalise on a dearth of skilled engineering labour in Norway.

With a population of 4.85m and unemployment of just 3.2% - the jobless count in the North-east England is almost one in 10 - Norwegian firms say a lack of staff is hindering expansion plans.

Bob Breeze, group MD of the Darlington firm, says: “Norway has a demand for oil and gas skills but a shortage of suitably skilled Norwegian people.

“They want to work with the Brits - and particularly those in the North-east of England.”

Over the next two years he wants to increase staff numbers at Stapleton from 60 to 100 and grow annual turnover of £7.5m by seeking new opportunities in the global energy market.

“Oil and gas is where demand for energy generation will be satisfied for the next 50 years at least. Wind and wave power will never provide more than about 20% of the country’s energy needs.”

Established in 1972 as an engineering and construction consultancy, the company has expanded its geographical footprint and has offices in London, Singapore, Houston, Abu Dhabi and Perth in Western Australia.