ICR Group has announced a strategic partnership with Wellube, a Unique Group company, to expand the reach of its bespoke technology solutions in the Middle East and India.
This collaboration aims to introduce ICR’s advanced products – including the Technowrap composite repair system, Quickflange weldless connections, and INSONO non-intrusive inspection technology to new markets. Wellube becomes the latest partner as ICR seeks to strengthen its global presence.
Wellube has been providing cutting-edge bespoke services to the oil and gas, renewables, power, petrochemical and infrastructure industries for over 20 years. Renowned for its engineering solutions the team brings a wealth of market presence and industry knowledge to the partnership.
Jim Beveridge, Chief Executive at ICR Group, said, “Welcoming Wellube into the ICR partner network is a significant milestone in our mission to deliver cutting-edge integrity solutions worldwide. Wellube’s strong presence in the Middle Eastern and Indian markets is ideal for the introduction our advanced technologies into new sectors and to new customers.”
Garry Kidd, Managing Director at Wellube, said: “This collaboration unites our long-standing market presence and deep understanding of the industrial landscape with ICR’s innovative solutions. We are committed to delivering unparalleled services, and the use of Technowrap, Quickflange, and INSONO will enhance our provision of turnkey solutions for our clients from start to finish.”
The partnership highlights both companies’ commitment to enhancing asset maintenance solutions. By combining Wellube’s client base with ICR’s innovative and bespoke product range, the collaboration promises to deliver a comprehensive suite of services.
ICR’s dedication to innovation is demonstrated though one of the core products, Technowrap – an engineered composite repair system. It’s a versatile long-term alternative to steel replacement that offers practical, cost-effective rehabilitation and minimal disruption to operations. Technowrap has been utilised extensively by major operators in the Middle East for applications ranging from pipework and pipelines to structures as well as significant subsea composite repair projects. The defined life repair technology for damaged pipework can be engineered to last up to 20 years providing both immediate and long-term benefits.
Further to this, INSONO, a non-intrusive composite inspection technique complements the Technowrap range. It has been developed to validate the condition and integrity of composite repairs providing operators with assurance in the application and long-term performance. The technology can detect anomalies in the bond line and interlaminar dis-bonds within composite repair material and, thereby, support and underpin asset written schemes of examination.
Quickflange, a high-performance weldless flange-to-pipe connector, is another core offering that addresses scenarios where traditional welding solutions are impractical due hot work constraints or time limitations. The innovation enhances operational safety and efficiency. Over the past 20 years, Quickflange has built up a global track record of providing rapid and safe installations generating cost efficiencies and an 80% time saving over traditional welding methods. ICR had a global network of more than 25 partners.
Today we put the spotlight on our North-west of England technical base
ICR’s Carnforth operation is on course to increase its contribution to the overall turnover figure of the company this year.
The hub is the group’s base for on-site machining, hydraulic bolt tensioning, leak sealing, Quickflange and Technowrap.
ICR has invested in new equipment and training at Carnforth, where additional technical and sales staff have been added. The team at the base has risen from 42 to 60 in the past year.
Carnforth’s status within ICR has been further underpinned after the group secured a four-year extension to a major contract for specialist onsite machining projects at a large engineering facility in the North-west. Work has also been secured in the energy, nuclear, government and defence sectors, across projects including flange management, controlled bolting, machining, leak sealing and composite repairs.
Darryl Dixon, General Manager of ICR at Carnforth, said: “We have a clear vision of our mission, which in turn cascades outwards so our customers know what it is ICR stands for and what we will deliver: right first time, innovation, safety and reliability.
“Our ongoing success reflects a genuine team effort at our Carnforth base, alongside collaboration with wider ICR operations and the support of senior management. We’ve invested significantly in facilities, equipment and people to ensure that knowledge and training from our existing technicians is shared across our wider pool of new talent.
“We already have exceptional subject matter experts, from design engineers to product-specific technical authorities, and our on-site technicians do great work every day in delivering our products and services on behalf of clients. Our goal now is to capitalise on all those resources, capabilities, and experience to realise further growth – not least in new markets such as renewables.”
ICR Group has recorded its highest turnover since the business was launched in 2011 – with the Middle East playing a key role in the firm’s success.
ICR, a technology-focused provider of specialist maintenance, inspection and integrity solutions across multiple sectors, has seen increased demand across its core energy sector operations, following the roll-out of an internationalisation strategy and diversification into other sectors.
The UK firm’s turnover for its 2022-23 year-end was £41.7m, a 20% increase on its previous financial year. Headcount has increased globally by 15%, from 204 to 235, since May 2022, and the company expects to create around 50 jobs across its operations during the next phase of its strategy.
Jim Beveridge, Chief Executive Officer at ICR, said: “Our presence in the Middle East has been particularly noteworthy, with recent high-value projects completed in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. We have also solidified our presence in the region by appointing a new partner in Abu Dhabi.
“Our ongoing international expansion not only bolsters our long-term sustainability but also plays a vital role in creating meaningful and enduring employment opportunities, rightly positioning us as a contributor to the energy transition.
“The Middle East is a dynamic market, brimming with potential for innovative companies such as ICR. At ADIPEC, we are eager to foster deeper relationships with our partners and engage with organisations striving to achieve their net-zero objectives. With COP28 on the horizon, our industry must remain steadfast in its commitment to facilitating a just transition toward a lower-carbon future.”
ICR’s established technological solutions continue to play a significant part in its growth. Technowrap provides life-long repairs that can be applied to internal, external and through-wall defects on complex geometries, while INSONO is an innovative NDT (non-destructive testing) technique for the inspection of engineered composite repairs. The Technowrap repair system reduces emissions by 66% compared to the traditional replacement methods.
Quickflange offers cold work solutions with weldless, high-performance flange-to-pipe connections. It provides a permanent repair option for improving pipeline integrity and flow assurance, eliminating the need for welding or hot work. ICR’s drone division, Sky-Futures, has also secured further international work.
NAMA Development Enterprises is ICR Group’s sponsor in Abu Dhabi, while its new execution partner in Abu Dhabi is APS.
ICR Group and NAMA Development Enterprises will be exhibiting at Stand 6210 at ADIPEC.
ICR Group has appointed two business development directors in the US.
Brian Begnaud, who will be based in Lafayette, joins from Eriks, while Houston-based Brandon Kangas was previously with SMC Industries. Both directors possess extensive industry expertise in identifying opportunities and developing partnerships across a variety of sectors.
The Houston office has played a key role in ICR’s global success over the past year, securing master service agreements (MSAs) with oil and gas operators, the US operation of a global communications, mobile networks and technology business and other US-based clients.
David Sedge, ICR President, Americas, said: “The welcome addition of Brian and Brandon to our team marks a significant milestone in ICR’s journey as we continue to engage with more and more clients across diverse markets.
“We plan to capitalize on their exceptional experience to take the profile of our technology-driven approach to new levels, showcasing its remarkable ability to streamline operations, optimize cost efficiency and contribute to decarbonization aspirations.
“Our American business has doubled in size in the past year and, with Brian and Brandon injecting new energy and flair into our market-facing activities, we expect this pace of growth to continue over the next 12 months.”
Brian and Brandon form a key part of the BD team along with Houston colleague Phil Paterson, Business Development Director.
A recent key agreement covers the provision of drone services by ICR Sky-Futures, a global leader in unmanned aircraft and remote sensing operations. Its team supports clients by delivering high-quality inspection reports and data in support of asset build or inspection programmes. This project entails drone inspections of cell towers across the Lower 48 in support of the 5G roll-out.
ICR Group has recorded its highest turnover since the business was launched in 2011 – and is set to grow its workforce significantly over the next year.
The Aberdeen-headquartered firm’s turnover for its 2022-23 year-end was £41.7m (US$54m), a 20% increase on its previous financial year.
ICR, a technology-focused provider of specialist maintenance inspection and integrity solutions across multiple sectors, has seen growth driven by strong activity in its core energy sector operations, the roll-out of an internationalisation strategy and diversification into other sectors.
Headcount has increased globally by 15%, from 204 to 235, since May 2022, and the firm expects to create around 50 jobs across its operations during the next phase of its strategy.
ICR has additional UK offices in Carnforth and Hemel Hempstead, and international operations in Stavanger, Norway, Abu Dhabi, Houston, USA and Perth, Australia as well as partners in over 25 countries.
Jim Beveridge, ICR Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is extremely positive growth for our business and is testament to the hard work and drive of our team. The continued internationalisation of ICR further supports our long-term sustainability, ultimately helping to create meaningful and lasting jobs to make us part of the energy transition.
“These outcomes illustrate how the business is remaining relevant across multiple sectors as we diversify our portfolio while maintaining and developing opportunities in existing markets. These are exciting times for ICR as we repeatedly demonstrate our value-adding capabilities and consequently strengthen our market position.”
Alan McQuade, Group Managing Director at ICR, said: “We retain a strong position in the UK but more than half of ICR’s revenue is now generated in international markets. Our global operations and network of strategic partners mean that we can react quickly to customer requirements and this footprint provides access to further growth for ICR. As we aim to capitalise on these opportunities, we are actively seeking to expand our team across all operations.”
ICR remains a strong performer in the UK North Sea and Norwegian North Sea in particular, while also growing its international footprint.
With record activity in the Middle East – it has recently performed high-value work in UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and appointed a new partner in Abu Dhabi – this is also a key region of growth for ICR.
While oil and gas remains a core industry, ICR has an additional focus on new onshore industries, with diversified growth foundations in place across renewables, telecoms, petrochemicals, nuclear and defence.
Further record activity in the USA now sees a team of 18 in Houston, with onshore telecoms drone inspection work through newly secured contracts and regular Gulf of Mexico repair scopes.
ICR’s drone division, Sky-Futures™, has secured UK and further international work. A global leader in unmanned aircraft and remote sensing operations, Sky-Futures™ and its team support clients by delivering high-quality inspection reports and data in support of asset build or inspection programmes.
Earlier this year, ICR secured a new partner in Guyana and increased its footprint in West Africa.
ICR’s established technological solutions continue to play a significant part in its growth. Technowrap™ provides life-long repairs that can be applied to internal, external and through-wall defects on complex geometries, while INSONO™ is an innovative NDT (non-destructive testing) technique for the inspection of engineered composite repairs. The Technowrap™ repair system reduces emissions by 66% compared to the traditional replacement methods.
Quickflange™ offers cold work solutions with weldless, high-performance flange-to-pipe connections. It provides a permanent repair option for improving pipeline integrity and flow assurance, eliminating the need for welding or hot work. With an extensive range, Quickflange™ is a cost-effective and efficient solution generating up to 80% time saving and a 57% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over traditional welding. Welding and hot work are energy intensive processes requiring multiple materials whereas the Quickflange™ technology offers a straightforward repair system that is less energy intensive and requires fewer specialist engineers.
ICR has made a commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) and net zero goals to accelerate its energy transition objectives. This includes the publishing of an annual Impact Report to ensure transparency and disclosure in line with best practice. ICR has been awarded the prestigious EcoVadis Silver Award for its commitment to sustainability.
