Fit 4 Offshore Renewables pilot project success for Balmoral

The programme’s objective is to support these companies in improving their business operations, become more competitive and win work in the sector. Balmoral was among 20 companies selected to participate in the pilot programme.

The company is renowned for providing buoyancy, protection and insulation product solutions for the offshore oil and gas sector, however, in 2018, Balmoral began to develop its offering for the offshore renewable energy market allowing the company to provide the following product solutions:

• Advanced cable protection systems
• Surface/subsurface buoyancy
• Bend restrictors/stiffeners
• J-Tube seals and associated products

Now established in the green energy space, Balmoral aims to be a key player in the offshore renewables market and, to help with this, took part in the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme to increase its competitiveness and capabilities in the fast-growing arena.

Balmoral was assessed over two phases of the F4OR programme – the first industry-agnostic Business Excellence phase focused on core business management systems and the second Sector-Specific phase concentrated on key competencies required for success in the offshore renewable energy industry.

Due to the similarities in business practices for offshore renewables and oil and gas, when assessed on Business Excellence, the company initially scored very highly but took the opportunity to further develop in this area by taking advice from the programme advisors on how best to adapt these business processes to the renewables industry.

In the Sector-Specific phase, it was again initially assessed and determined to already be a highly capable and competent organisation but was encouraged and supported to further develop its Health and Safety and Environmental Management systems to ensure it secured F4OR accreditation and had the industry standards in place that would help sustain their capabilities in offshore renewables.

Sales manager with responsibility for Balmoral’s renewables portfolio, Ian Milne, said: “We were excited when we first learned of F4OR as we felt it was a great fit for our innovative approach in general and to the offshore wind industry in particular.

“Going through the accreditation process is rigorous and brought out the best in our team. I am also very grateful to F4OR for their support throughout the exercise.

“I believe achieving F4OR granted status demonstrates that our processes and people are among the best in the industry and we look forward to working with the group in taking our sector-leading fixed and floating wind solutions to the domestic and international markets.”

In gaining F4OR accreditation, Balmoral benefits from a level of endorsement from an established, independent body as the company diversifies further into the world of offshore renewable energy.

The accreditation will also help showcase how 40 years’ experience and knowledge from the oil and gas sector can be adapted into the green energy industry as the UK moves towards the energy transition.