Engineering, R&D and manufacturing skills keep global business on the Tyne
The Tyne’s skilled workforce has been a deciding factor in one global tech company’s decision to grow its R&D and manufacturing base here.
TechnipFMC develops, manufactures, and installs technology for the energy sector. At its Tyne site, it makes umbilicals and cables for subsea oil and gas production systems which are also essential for offshore floating renewable energy projects worldwide.
The company has had a base on the Tyne for more than 40 years and, as UK Country Manager Sarah Cridland explains, will use the skills built up here for years to come.
“We develop technologies for the future and we’ve found the engineering, R&D and manufacturing expertise that we need to do that here in this region,” said Sarah.
“When we expanded our work to develop umbilicals for use in very deep waters, we looked at different locations worldwide and chose to invest in our base on the Tyne – and one of the underlying reasons for that is the skills of the people.”
As well as drawing on the talent in the region, TechnipFMC also helps to develop the skills of the next generation.
The company sponsors school engineering clubs, promotes STEM learning, and supported the creation of Newcastle University’s Master’s Degree in Offshore, Subsea and Pipeline Engineering. The R&D team also works closely with local universities, which have expertise in materials and subsea dynamics.
With customers spanning the traditional and new energy industries, TechnipFMC exports to destinations including the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, and says the Tyne gives it the infrastructure and transport links it needs. Sarah added:
“We’ve got very good access to deep water quays here and we’re well located to deliver worldwide. The building blocks we need for the future of our umbilicals business are all here.”
