UK: CLS Offshore Plans to Double Turnover Over Next Two Years

Energy sector services company CLS Offshore has unveiled a bold new vision which will mean employing twice as many staff and doubling turnover to around £40m over the next two years.

Three board members have been appointed to help steer a new strategy for the Great Yarmouth-based company which will build on its Southern North Sea business but also pursue more business worldwide.

Scott McMillan, appointed managing director in 2011, stated that consultant Carl Fisher, who originally assisted in shaping the company’s future, would step up to become non-executive chairman and guide plans to fruition.

Carl is joined on the board by Mark Pollard, as finance director, and Simon Thorne, business delivery director.

 “We have a current order book of £20m which we aim to double within two years,” said Mr McMillan. “It means extending our workforce from 160 to about 300 – and up to 450 at peak periods.

 “We intend to grow organically but also to extend our work far beyond the North Sea by acquisition or working with other companies, many of which have already approached us requesting we extend our geographical reach.

 “2012 was challenging after a poor start but it demonstrated the resilience of our business and we laid the groundwork for growth by developing services, improving customer relations, simplifying processes and reducing costs. In short, by executing better.”

The company, with its large quayside site, specialises in modern fabrication work, platform refurbishment and petrochemical plant installation and support. It has diversified into offshore windfarm maintenance and also launched a new electrical and instrumentation division.

Mr McMillan said he believed CLS was unique in offering a complete package from survey through to project management, fabrication, testing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and ultimate removal and making good.

 “We’ve had a difficult year but there has been an excellent response by the team in delivering the business plan. I’m delighted to welcome the new board members and we expect soon to appoint a resource director to complete the line-up to deliver the longer-term plan.

“Mark will build on the good interim work of Kim Duffy, who developed financial system improvements, and take them on to new levels for our planned growth. Simon brings with him extensive commercial awareness from the UK and international markets.”

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Press release, July 29, 2013; Image: clsoffshore