50 years of Bilfinger UK: a legacy of growth and diversification

22/11/2023

In a world where longevity stands as a testament to excellence, Bilfinger is celebrating 50 years of remarkable growth, countless milestones and enduring success. The Bilfinger offshore maintenance business (formerly known as Salamis) based in Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded in 1973 as a painting and blasting firm on Balnagask Road, Torry, and this journey of five decades demonstrates the quality and innovation that have become synonymous with this Aberdeen business and the Bilfinger name.
As the company commemorates 50 years in the industry, it is also celebrating the transformation of Bilfinger Salamis into Bilfinger UK, marking a new era of growth and expanded capabilities.

Since its humble beginnings, Bilfinger UK has evolved into an industry leader, providing integrated industrial support to the oil & gas sector. The company’s journey began on 10 October 1973 when it started as Salamis (Marine and Industrial) Limited, specialising in painting and blasting at its Torry location. Over the years, the firm expanded its operations, moving to its current headquarters on Greenhole Place in Aberdeen with just seven office staff, three yard staff and around 30 offshore employees.

In 1982, Bilfinger ventured into scaffolding and engineering divisions, further broadening its capabilities with offshore work coming from clients including Shell, BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil. The company’s success story continued with joint ventures such as 
SGB/Salamis (SSL) and APG/Salamis (later becoming a part of Petrofac). The rapid growth of the business in the 1980s led to its acquisition by Maersk in 1984, followed by further organic growth, acquisitions and joint ventures. Expansion led Bilfinger to operate in Great Yarmouth in 1981, expanding to Lowestoft in 1997 and extending its Aberdeen facilities in 1992.

In 2006, Bilfinger Salamis, now a multi-service contracting company, was acquired by Munich-based Bilfinger Berger Industrial Services, marking a significant milestone in its history.

March 2013 witnessed a crucial rebranding as the company transitioned into Bilfinger Salamis UK, boasting over 350 onshore staff across bases in Aberdeen and Lowestoft, as well as more than 2000 offshore employees. The service portfolio included painting, blasting, scaffolding, fireproofing, the supply of multi-disciplined deck crews, specialist cleaning, architectural outfitting, decommissioning and extended inspection services.

In 2022, Bilfinger Salamis and Bilfinger UK merged, uniting under the Bilfinger UK brand. This merger created one of the UK’s largest tier-one engineering and maintenance contractors with a turnover of €400 million (approximately £348 million). With over 5000 employees during peak periods and a presence in 14 onshore locations across key industrial hubs, the merger seamlessly integrated onshore and offshore capabilities. This strategic move positioned Bilfinger UK as a key contractor for delivering large renewable energy projects, playing a pivotal role in the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions.

Bilfinger UK continues to build upon Bilfinger Salamis’s legacy, while offering a comprehensive suite of asset integrity as well as operations and maintenance services to clients. Its portfolio encompasses cutting-edge engineering, industrial maintenance, turnkey solutions, digital transformation and sustainability initiatives. It works hand in hand with its clients to optimise processes, reduce downtime and enhance operational efficiency. The company’s commitment to excellence, safety and sustainability remains unwavering as it strives to exceed client expectations.

Sandy Bonner, Bilfinger’s UK Executive President, was coincidentally born in 1973 in Aberdeen, on the exact same day in October that the local Salamis company was originally founded. On leaving university, he started with the company as a Project Engineer in 1995 and his Bilfinger journey has included the roles of Operations Manager, Operations Director, Managing Director and latterly Executive President. Evolving with the company, Sandy has grown the business to become the largest employer in the North Sea offshore maintenance market.

He said: “Sustaining excellence for five decades is a remarkable achievement for Bilfinger and it is an honour to commemorate this milestone as we look forward to the future as one of the UK’s largest tier-one contractors.

“Our journey reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, safety and delivering top-tier solutions. Over the years, we have witnessed profound changes in the oil & gas industry and, as it evolves, we evolve with it.

“As the industry shifts towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions, Bilfinger UK is at the forefront of embracing these changes. We have leveraged our decades of expertise to venture into the new markets such as offshore wind, biopharma, nuclear and other emerging markets. We recognise the global demand for energy is changing, and so are we.

“Our journey is not just about celebrating the past but embracing the future. As we celebrate the 
50-year journey of Bilfinger locally, as well as the evolution into Bilfinger UK, we look forward to a future filled with innovation, growth and unparalleled support for our clients.

“We are dedicated to exceeding client expectations, contributing to the UK’s renewable energy goals and continuing our legacy of excellence as a dynamic and forward-thinking partner in the ever-evolving energy landscape.”

www.bilfinger.com/en

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