Offshore industry gathers at Bridon factory opening
26 November 2012Industry leaders from companies including Heerema, NOV, and Certex assembled in northern England last week to watch UK business minister Michael Fallon open a facility claiming to manufacture the world’s largest ropes. Now operational, Bridon Neptune Quay (BNQ) is already taking on orders from multinational operators.
The event marked the commencement of manufacturing at BNQ, a factory constructed by Bridon International, which will produce the largest and most complex offshore ropes in the world, the company announced. The facility will have the capacity to produce highly engineered ropes in package weights of 650t. In addition, they will have enhanced breaking loads, optimised bend fatigue performance, effective lubrication, and minimal rotation under load.
The occasion was marked by the switching-on of the factory's rope-closing machine. The machine, which was constructed by German engineering company SKET, will allow the company to produce more complex ropes than had ever previously been possible with such weights.
The opening event also offered a range of technical seminars for attending industry leaders, designed to demonstrate the company's services offering. Focused on ensuring customers get the most out of Bridon's ropes, the package provided tailored support throughout a rope's development, installation and application.
"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," said Jon Templeman, chief executive, Bridon Group. "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 advanced in the world, but will also be uniquely tailored to tackle 21st century offshore challenges".
