Mechanical engineering specialist, EnerMech, is to open its first office in India as a first step in developing a presence in the country’s fast expanding oil and gas sector.
The Mumbai office, headed up by newly appointed Country Manager Steve Watson, will be followed with the opening of a workshop and storage facility in Kakindada, Andrah Pradesh region, by the end of 2012.
EnerMech believes its Process, Pipeline and Umbilicals, Cranes and Lifting, Engineering and Valves Divisions can add value to exploration and contractor companies operating in the region.
The move in to India, which represents an multimillion dollar investment, ties in to an ambition expansion plan for the Asia Pacific region which will see new offices or bases being opened in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Busan, and Brisbane and Karratha in Western Australia.
EnerMech, which is a major provider of engineering. maintenance and training services to the energy sector, is already well represented in Singapore, Australia and China.
The company believes Indian based clients will benefit from its wide ranging experience of working on major Asia Pacific and Western oil and gas projects, and cost savings through the deployment of local labour and a large equipment fleet based in-country.
To drive the expansion plans, EnerMech have appointed Steve Watson as Country Manager and a recruitment campaign is underway for engineering and design staff.
Mr Watson worked for Halliburton for more than 36 years, holding operational and management positions in India and Bangladesh over a 17 year period, including Country Manager in India for the past 12 years and worked in similar roles in the Middle East, Russia and the Caspian region. Latterly Mr Watson has managed a number of pipeline and process projects in India for ONGC, Cairn Energy, Aker and Helix Energy Solutions.
EnerMech managing director, Doug Duguid, said: “India’s oil and gas industry is of major importance to us as we continue to internationalise the business. We are making a significant capital investment in infrastructure, equipment and in placing expert personnel in-country, which fits our long term strategy of extending our footprint in India.
“We hope the major producers and contractors will find our innovative and flexible approach an attractive proposition and we are looking to develop strong partnerships which mirror our success in other major oil and gas hubs.”
Steve Watson added: “Almost half of my career has been spent on the Indian subcontinent and I am looking forward to using that experience to roll out EnerMech’s business lines to the energy sector. The company’s willingness to invest in the region and reputation of training a local workforce to demanding international standards was a major attraction in taking this position.”
EnerMech also announced in May that they would invest £40 million ($65 million) in new equipment and in acquisitions to expand operations in the USA and planned to open a new base in the Gulf of Mexico in addition to its existing Houston operation.