Aberdeen valve business enters new chapter
Published: 05 October, 2018
Portlethen-based Severn Ball Valves says it has rebranded as Severn Glocon (Aberdeen), following its best ever year for trading and a host of achievements that underline its capabilities.
The specialist in valve supply, servicing, testing and management for the oil and gas industry has gone against the prevailing economic flow. Turnover in 2017 hit £9.6million, 24% up on its previous best year and 121% higher than in 2016. Established in 2010 with a team of five, the business now has 37 permanent staff and strives to employ three apprentices at a time on a rolling basis.
Severn Ball Valves recently completed a £2m project to supply three 20-tonne emergency shutdown valves for the riser pipeline of a major gas platform in the North Sea. The contract, which had a strict 30-week turnaround timeframe, was awarded following a competitive tender against four rival firms. A proven history in the timely supply of valves for complex and critical applications was a major factor in the win.
Additional milestones from the past 12 months include transitioning to the ISO 9001 and 14001:2015 standards for quality and environmental management, as well as accreditation under OHSAS 18001 for health & safety management. The business has also completed the stringent Achilles FPAL Verify audit which focuses on quality, health & safety, environmental, competence and training practices for oil and gas industry suppliers. These achievements indicate how the business has matured since its 2010 launch, and provide a solid foundation for its next growth phase as Severn Glocon (Aberdeen).
Manging director Brian Wood (pictured) explains that the name change is essential since the business has evolved strategically to do more than supply ball valves. It’s secured five major contracts for the ongoing management and maintenance of valves on North Sea platforms. And a large stockholding, combined with its Aberdeen-based testing and machining facilities, means it can support operators with short lead time deliveries across the full spectrum of mechanical, isolation and safety valves during critical shutdown periods.
“We’ve performed well over the past four years, despite the oil price collapse in 2014, and we’re now seeing a gradual upturn across the market in general,” says Brian. “It feels like the right time to reposition our business with a name that better reflects the scope and scale of what we do. One of our customers recently said they’d never worked with a supplier that could provide valves with such complex specification in such a tight timeframe. But delivering technically challenging products on time and at a good price is simply business as usual for us.”
Severn Glocon (Aberdeen) is part of engineering specialist Severn Glocon Group, which employs around 950 people globally and holds a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Further information is available at http://severngloconaberdeen.com/.
