STATS Group has continued to grow its market share in North America throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and is now preparing to move into a larger facility in Houston.
The pipeline isolation experts are relocating to new premises double the size of its existing 25,000 sq ft operation, which will allow the business to design and build larger sized assets, to increase its headcount and to provide internal and external training services.
A combination of factors has contributed to STATS extending its footprint in the US and Canadian onshore and offshore pipeline sectors and the company expects further growth into 2022 as the global economy recovers from the pandemic.
A regional strategy in which STATS has invested heavily in recent years in establishing local bases and staff in Texas and Alberta, including the onsite manufacturing of tools, fittings and assets, has increased responsiveness to client requirements and led to increased market penetration.
The company has also extended its range of assets to accommodate the isolation of higher pressure and larger diameter pipelines which has secured new clients and more large-scale workscopes.
STATS Group’s Regional Director for Americas region, Stephen Rawlinson, said: “Despite some travel limitations due to Covid, in the last 12 months we have executed a record number of projects both in the US and Canada and we forecast that will continue throughout 2021 and beyond.
“The investment we are making in extending our facility and capability in Houston will allow us to recruit extra staff and to strengthen our support for clients, and we are forecasting a higher than anticipated growth than was budgeted.”
STATS has invested $10 million in North America in the last three years which has included a similar expansion of operations in Edmonton in 2019, continued investment in the company’s tools and technologies, and the move to new Houston premises.
Scott McNae, President and General Manager for STATS Group in America, said: “This sustained growth, during what is arguably the toughest trading conditions we have faced for many years due to a fluctuating oil price and the challenges of Covid-19, is testament to the success of our regional strategy.
“This new base allows us to recruit more technicians and design engineers and gives us the opportunity to focus on training and competency which is paramount in maintaining our excellent health and safety record.
“We have worked hard to establish our brand as the innovative, reliable and above all safe solution for upstream, midstream and downstream pipeline projects and that is now paying off. We are engaging in multi-faceted and bespoke projects and a growing client list is aware of our range of capabilities and our reputation for responsiveness and reliability.”