Churchill Drilling Tools Invests £2.5 Million
Drilling systems specialist Churchill Drilling Tools has announced a £2.5 million investment in its Aberdeen base to meet increasing global demand for its innovative technologies.
The company has invested in a number of units adjacent to its existing Crombie Road premises to create a 1.65-acre site, which will be upgraded over the next 3-4 years. The refurbishments will include research and development facilities, increased capacity for new product assembly and service lines and offices.
Aside from its £2.5 million Crombie Road investment, Churchill has also taken 3,500 square feet of office space in nearby Sinclair Road to provide administrative support. The offices were opened at the end of November.
The company has invested in its Aberdeen base at a time when it anticipates an increase in employee numbers in 2013 as it explores new opportunities in the UK and overseas. Churchill, which currently employs 30 people in Aberdeen, expects to add at least 10 additional staff to its workforce over the next 12 months.
Churchill has seen growing demand for its patented technologies, used by more than 50 operators worldwide.
The company’s SmartDart™ activation technology has been extensively deployed in the downhole drilling sector where its track record for reliability, speed and cost-effectiveness has been hailed by engineers, particularly in demanding environments such as high-pressure high temperature wells.
Director Mike Churchill said: “We have had outstanding success over the past year through a growing appreciation and application of our products and it is clear that demand is set to continue throughout 2013.”
“Our commitment to research and development has been a key factor in Churchill Drilling Tools’ success to date and it is important that we continue to invest in this area and continue a high level of innovation that brings new technology and products to market.”
“We are also committed to developing our global services and the significant investment we have made will drive forward our strategy for growth.”
Mr Churchill said increasing demand in Europe, North America, and the Middle East was helping the company as the industry’s leading independent providers of downhole valve technology.