A focus on quick response scaffolding services has enabled Invergordon-based OILSCAFF to build a strong presence in the oil rig maintenance sector and it has enjoyed a busy 18 months working on projects in Scotland and Europe.

OILSCAFF is a major division within the McDonald Scaffolding group, and its extensive portfolio of manpower and equipment means it is able to mobilise teams to the North Sea in just 12 hours, a capability that has proved to give it an important edge in the current energy marketplace.

McDonald Scaffolding’s civil operation was established in the mid ‘70s and it soon built a strong reputation for reliability. However, it was when Managing Director Fred Hives joined the company a decade later, and formed its energy sector division, that the company was able to secure it place in a niche market that has continued to grow, despite the recent economic turmoil.

A passion for keeping up to date with both the latest equipment innovations and health and safety legislation has enabled the company to maintain the high standards that continue to be a priority within the oil and gas industry, and more recently the renewables sector. As a result, OILSCAFF has enjoyed steady growth over the past year, with a 20% increase in trade taking its annual turnover to £10million and leaving it in a strong position to make the most of any opportunities arising in 2010/11.

Chairman Mike McDonald said that being just a mile and a half from where the rigs tie up at Invergordon means OILSCAFF is well placed to take on work in the Cromarty Firth as well as servicing rigs at Aberdeen and Dundee. “Our yard at Invergordon covers about three acres and is home to our large stock of equipment,” he said. “We also have an extensive catalogue of back up scaffolders on our computer database, which provides us with large manpower availability.”

The company has about 100 employees and continues to attract up to 10 young people into the industry through its apprenticeship scheme every year. While many staff are employed on short term contracts, as is the norm in the industry, the top tier of management has remained a constant, with some foremen being with the company for 20 years.

Another factor that has been an important part of the company’s strategy is its ability to evaluate OILSCAFF’s services and their relevance to the marketplace. McDonald said that five years ago, as a result of this, the company decided to pare back on the range of offerings to concentrate on its core business – scaffolding. It closed its recruitment division and instead invested in further training and materials. It now has stock worth in excess of £2million that includes the latest scaffolding materials.

“While 2011 may not prove to be quite as busy as the past 18 months have been, we envisage that there will be consistent demand for scaffolding on rig repair contracts in Africa, Norway and Holland,” he said. “We have also seen growth in rig repair in the Cromarty Firth, where we are working on five rigs at present, and Invergordon. It has been great to see this business develop on our doorstep, and as many of these rigs are close to 35 years old, we expect the flow of maintenance contracts to continue.”

“Several longer term contracts have been carried out recently on rigs such as the Sedco 714, Ocean Nomad and Safe Scandinavia. This has resulted in continuous employment for over 50 of the local workforce. Specialist services such as shrink wrap to allow effective containment during painting and blasting operations assists in reducing the environmental impact on the local area.”

Looking at the broader picture, McDonald Scaffolding is continuing to attract clients from across a spectrum of industries, from Scottish Power (for which it works on power stations across Scotland and the Islands) and distilleries to British Rail and fish farms (providing scaffolding to support nets while frames are being made).

Whether it is working on railway bridges or power stations, oil rigs or fish farms, McDonald Scaffolding and OILSCAFF have the expertise and specialist equipment to ensure that work is done efficiently and safely.

www.mcdonaldscaffolding.co.uk

Helen King