2018 was a fantastic year for Ardmore Craig. In addition to providing engineering solutions for customers in seven countries, we completed more than 500 unique fabrication drawings, worked on 14 different vessels, developed five patents and supported at 10 STEM events.

As is the nature of a quick response engineering business, we typically pick up ‘last minute’ packages of work as our clients react to the demands of industry. The start of the year was no different and January 2018 saw us start work on some longer terms design projects – unaware of the interesting projects and engineering challenges that would lie ahead.

The first quarter saw a series of smaller work scopes alongside development of a new subsea clearance tool and a lengthy spreader beam which was designed for use at a length of 32m.

The offshore renewables market kicked into play in quarter two and the build up to the summer saw operational activities peak; with the Ardmore Craig team involved in the design of a number of second end spreads, a cable repair spread and multiple pieces of deck equipment, including chutes and quadrants for projects including Merkur, Nemo Link, Kincarden and Hornsea 1.

In addition to the design of the equipment, the team started to expand its naval architectural services with seafastening, underdeck stiffening design and strength verification scopes completed on a wide range of vessels including barges, cable lay ships, support vessels, walk to work systems and mutli-cats. The team was also involved with project engineering scopes and mobilisation scopes both in the North East and further afield in Europe.

With the expanding work load and growing team, it was clear larger offices were needed and quarter three saw a search for a new premises. The lease was signed and we made a move to new premises at the Beehive, Lingfield Point over the summer.

On the back of some smaller drilling rig related modifications at the start of the year, our first larger oil & gas project of the year saw the development of a bespoke offshore flare boom transportation and lifting frame which will be put to use this year by an oil major.

The summer also saw completion of many work scopes with Ardmore Craig involved in several decommissioning projects where the team’s structural engineering and analysis skills were used to verify and optimise client concepts for subsea lifting and recovery.

September saw the business reach the milestone of its 250th commercial contract and enter into a partnership with Olympic bobsleigh athlete Mica McNeill. Acting as Mica’s engineering partner, Ardmore Craig has provided, and will continue to supply, designs for an assortment of components.

The final quarter saw the team undertake a series of onshore structural challenges for a series of industrial sites alongside offshore related work scopes for several key clients.

By the year end and our eighth anniversary our team size had increased significantly with designated sales engineers and a business development function appointed.

2019 looks to be an exciting year for the business. We hope to see a lot of the work and investment put in during the past year lead to fruition over the coming twelve months and are excited to watch our numbers expand further. Our diversification efforts via sister company Copeland Clyde should also see work scopes associated with industrial test rigs, automotive structures and civil design awarded.