Stork flying: Engineering group to unveil £25m contract

STORK Technical Services, the Netherlands-based engineering firm, will today unveil a £25 million North Sea contract that will create 30 jobs at the company’s Scottish operations.

The Dutch group bought Aberdeen-based RBG in May from private equity firm 3i and Dyce-based Ashely Group for an undisclosed sum and will rebrand the company under the Stork banner.

RBG is one of Scotland’s largest oil services firms, with about 3,000 of its 4,500 staff based in Scotland. The takeover was supported by buy-out specialist Arle Capital Partners.

RBG was created in 2004 following the merger of Mach-Ten and 3i companies MESL and Rigblast.

The company – which also has operations in Azerbaijan, Italy, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States – turned over £300m in 2010 and was valued at £200m.

Doug Meikle, chief executive at Stork, said: “The rebranding is a significant milestone for both organisations.”

UK chief executive Dave Workman added: “Rebranding to Stork Technical Services is the start of an exciting time for our employees and business as we enter a new period of growth. We are stronger together as part of Stork.”

PETER RANSCOMBE