Baker Hughes is Exploring Advanced Manufacturing with AFRC

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Center (AFRC) and Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), have joined forces to explore how some of the latest advanced manufacturing tools and processes can drive more efficient, smarter ways to reduce cost and increase productivity across BHGE’s operations.

Joining the research center as a tier one member, BHGE will work with the AFRC’s team of engineers and researchers to improve its manufacturing processes and delivery of services. Using its expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, the AFRC will help BHGE identify opportunities to cut costs and cycle time, while extending the lifespan of oilfield equipment required for operations in increasingly high temperature and extreme pressure environments.  

This collaboration will see BHGE have a seat on the AFRC’s managing and technical boards, as well as supporting the center's core research program. Together with the AFRC’s other tier one members, BHGE will help to steer the wider research agenda and share cross sector learnings and best practice.

John Kerr, VP and Chief Technology Officer for BHGE’s Oilfield Equipment business, said, “The oil and gas industry is continually evolving, with the past few years driving the need to look at new ways to enhance efficiency, improve productivity and drive down cost. Manufacturing innovation has an important role to play and this collaboration with the AFRC will provide our business with exposure to the latest in advanced manufacturing tools and processes. This will help to improve our own operations and help steer the direction of research for the benefit of manufacturing sectors globally.”