Glacier Energy Services Acquires MSL Heat Transfer
Heat exchanger maintenance works at MSL Heat Transfer, which has been bought by Glacier Energy Services
Energy sector service group Glacier Energy Services has acquired MSL Heat Transfer, the Aberdeen-based radiator and cooler design, manufacture, repair and refurbishment provider, marking completion of Glacier’s sixth acquisition as it carries out a reorganization into four divisions to augment its service offering to its customers across the international energy sector.
Glacier said it acquired MSL Heat Transfer to boost its heat transfer service division, complementing Ross Offshore, the specialist in heat exchanger repair and refurbishment services acquired by Glacier in 2013.
The group has restructured to focus on its companies' core capabilities, delivering specialist services for energy infrastructure onsite in any global location, and at its workshops across the U.K. and in Southeast Asia, across four complementary work areas. Onsite machining is delivered by Roberts Pipeline Machining and Site Machining Services; non-destructive testing (NDT), provided by Professional Testing Services; heat transfer repair and refurbishment services through Ross Offshore and newly-acquired MSL; and weld overlay for pressure control equipment from Wellclad.
The group supports operators and service companies on projects from the commissioning phase to full in-operations lifecycle of oil and gas platforms and vessels, windfarms and infrastructure in the energy and petrochemical industries.
"The group has developed into a significant partner for operators and major service companies worldwide, fuelling our growth strategy,” said Scott Martin, executive chairman of Glacier Energy Services. "Our divisions provide vital engineering services in support of major capex and opex projects – specialist services vital to the safe operation of assets and energy infrastructure globally. Our customers raise an issue and our teams, renowned for their expertise and ability to develop bespoke solutions onsite or in the workshop, provide the fix.”
"Rationalizing the six businesses within Glacier into four divisions allows us to focus their efforts on further developing our strong reputation, which has been built on the capability of our highly experienced people to deliver for our clients," Martin added. “There are real synergies and opportunities for complementary work across Glacier's onsite machining, NDT, heat transfer repair and refurbishment, and weld overlay divisions and the company is focused on achieving continued growth through that combined approach.”
"Augmenting the heat transfer division with the acquisition of MSL brings further capability in small-to-medium sized projects, complementing the large-scale project expertise of Ross Offshore – the business is a natural fit for the group," Martin said.
MSL, established by the former Aberdeen Radiators owner and founder Len Hubert, has expanded rapidly – serving operators, tier 1 service providers and drilling contractors. The business is expected to secure first-year turnover of £2 million. Its core staff of 12 all remain in their posts following the deal.
Len Hubert, who remains with the business, said, "I have worked in the same marketplace as Glacier and Ross Offshore for many years, and I am pleased to see MSL become part of a progressive group with an international footprint. Our specialist engineers bring skills and experience to match those of our counterparts at Ross Offshore, and after a year of continuous growth we have an opportunity to work alongside the wider Glacier group companies to offer even greater value for our clients."
Glacier Energy Services, formed in 2011, has a staff of 215, with group turnover for the financial year 2014 expected to exceed £25 million. Its businesses operate from industrial premises in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dalgety Bay and Methil in Fife, Newcastle and Singapore.
