Forum Energy Technologies is beginning the construction of its new European operations center.
Forum’s multimillion-dollar investment in its new Westhill facility will bring together five Forum businesses that are currently spread throughout Aberdeenshire.
Construction is scheduled to be complete in spring 2015. At that time, Forum Subsea Rentals, Forum Subsea Tooling, Sub-Atlantic and Forum Drilling Distribution will relocate to the new building.
The new location has 14,000sq ft of offices, 40,000sq ft of warehouse and 36,000sq ft of outdoor yard space. It will also feature a state-of-the-art test tank, containing 135,000 liters of water, which is capable of testing work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), ROV tooling and a variety of underwater sensors. In addition, it offers hydraulic, electrical and electronic workshops along with a 10-tonne gantry crane.
It will initially house 120 employees, but has been designed to accommodate Forum’s planned growth in employees and operations in the coming years.
Forum says its regional head office will remain at Concorde House, Westhill and Forum AMC, with its 90 strong workforce, will continue its manufacturing and operations from its current base in Findon, Aberdeenshire.
Forum’s global headquarters is located in Houston where the company employs 3500; 290 of whom are based in Aberdeen.