UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE - Wind Energy Network

INDUSTRY NEWS
Offshore industry gathers
at launch of factory for
world’s largest ropes
UK Business Minister
Michael Fallon
Industry’s biggest players watch UK
Business Minister open state-of-theart
facility
Industry leaders from companies including
Heerema, NOV, and Certex assembled in
Northern England recently to watch UK
Business Minister Michael Fallon open a
facility that will manufacture the world’s
largest ropes.
Bridon Neptune Quay (BNQ)
The event marked the commencement
of manufacturing at Bridon Neptune
Quay (BNQ), a state-of-the-art factory
constructed by Bridon International which
will produce the largest and most complex
offshore ropes in the world. The facility
will have the capacity to produce highly
engineered ropes in package weights
of 650 tonnes, boasting enhanced
breaking loads, optimised bend fatigue
performance, effective lubrication, and
minimal rotation under load.
Unique factory facilities
The occasion was marked by the
switching on of the factory’s rope-closing
machine, which is the largest of its kind
in existence. The machine, which was
constructed to a unique specification by
German engineering company SKET, will
allow the company to produce far more
complex ropes than had ever previously
Head Oddvar Hoydal, who
noted how Bridon’s highly
engineered ropes could
improve their companies’
heavy lifting and deepwater
deployment capabilities.
In addition to the switching-on
of the facility’s rope-closing
machine, the opening event
offered a range of technical
seminars for attending
industry leaders, designed to
demonstrate Bridon’s unique
services offering. Focused
on ensuring customers get
the most out of Bridon’s
highly complex ropes, this
package provides tailored
support throughout a rope’s
development, installation and
application.
Order demand and logistics
capability
Now operational, Bridon Neptune Quay
is already taking on orders from major
multinational operators, and its production
schedule is designed to cater to the
highest possible levels of demand. The
factory’s portside location, along with its
state-of-the-art Takeup Stand for lifting
reels directly from dock to vessel, will help
Bridon to significantly improve logistics.
Industry’s biggest players watch UK Business
Minister open state-of-the-art facility
advanced in the world, but will also be
uniquely tailored to tackle 21st century
offshore challenges”.
Business and Enterprise Minister Michael
Fallon said: “Companies like Bridon
International are a great example of how
Britain’s manufacturers are leading the
world. Through Bridon’s innovations,
the largest, most advanced ropes ever
made are being sold around the world
from Britain – and helping to solve
the challenges our modern offshore
industries face.
been possible with such weights. Pulling
the lever to activate the machine was UK
Business Minister Michael Fallon, who
praised Bridon for establishing a global
technology leadership position through its
consistent investment in innovation.
Industry visitors
Accompanying Bridon Chief Executive
Jon Templeman at the event were a host
of senior industry figures including Certex
CEO Peter Keith and NOV Cranes Division
Bridon Group Chief Executive Jon
Templeman said: “I’m proud to announce
that Bridon Neptune Quay is open for
business, making the largest and most
complex ropes the offshore industry has
ever seen. We have worked closely with
customers to understand the challenges
they face in reaching greater depths
in some of the toughest conditions
on earth; thanks to this collaborative
approach, ropes constructed at Bridon
Neptune Quay will not only be the most
“As a growing manufacturing company,
Bridon are exactly the sort of firm the
Regional Growth Fund was set up to
support. I’m very pleased that we have
been able to provide them with £2.2
million to help open this state of the art
new facility.”
Peter Keith, Group MD CERTEX Division
said: “We are particularly excited about
the complexity of the ropes that will be
manufactured at Bridon Neptune Quay,
as well as their enhanced bend fatigue
life and reduced rotation and elongation.
These technological advancements will
make many new projects possible for our
customers and I look forward to be able
to offer these ropes from our CERTEX
companies in the near future.”
Bridon
www.bridon.com
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