Hydro Group to increase turnover by 20% through £0.5 million investment in new equipment

Monday, Sep 06, 2010

Aberdeen based Hydro Group, a global solution provider of optical and electrical subsea products, has invested £500,000 in new equipment for its recently launched premises at Aberdeen Science and Energy Park. The investment will allow the Group to increase turnover by up to 20%.

The purpose built cable layup machine, designed for short power cables, will be used for the marine renewable sector. The new machine can produce cables up to 110mm in diameter increasing the company’s current capability by 61mm. This increased capacity also allows cable runs for current subsea bundles of up to 10,000m depending on the component diameters.

Hydro Group managing director, Doug Whyte, said: “The new equipment will enable us to increase our capabilities as it will allow us to make cables of a higher technical specification.

“Our scope of work to the buoyant and rapidly growing renewable market will increase. The majority of projects require dynamic optical power cables that we were previously unable to manufacture. In the past we had to subcontract or limit our scope of supply, now we will be able to provide supply the complete solution.”

Last year the company was turning down one in every five enquiries, in other words losing 20% of potential orders. Thanks to the investment in this new equipment they expect to increase turnover by 20%

“Hydro Group develops a range of products from prototype concept through to design, manufacture and project management, supplying the whole package. In order to provide clients with the best quality products and service it is important that we continue to make such investments into the company and our equipment.

“Keeping up to date with technological advances is essential for our continued success in the subsea and renewable energy sectors. This focus has, and will continue to greatly aid our successful international expansion, leaving us well placed to move forward with growth plans set out over the next four years – which include increasing our workforce locally.”

With over 28 years business experience, Hydro Group operates on a global platform providing total solutions of subsea cables and connectors to a portfolio of prime contractors, major operators, OEMs, defence agencies, defence organisations and the UK MOD.

Hydro Group’s £4.2million research, design, engineering and manufacturing facility will aid the company’s future development of new products, including those for the renewable sector. The facility spans a total of 40,000 square feet, reducing Hydro Group’s carbon foot print by utilising rainwater recovery and heat recirculation.

Source: ThinkPR