AMS TRENCHLESS: SUPPLY CHAIN STRIDES
AMS Trenchless epitomises the level of expansion and growth some companies have seen with the rapid expansion of the offshore wind industry in the UK over the last decade.
Since winning their first offshore wind contract with Ørsted back in 2017, horizontal directional drilling specialists AMS Trenchless have completely transformed their business. The highly specialised drilling company has expanded its expertise, grown its workforce, and is proud of its role in the local and national green energy transition.
“We’re all very positive about the future,” says Peter Guilliatt, Operations Manager for AMS Trenchless.
Connecting an Ørsted offshore wind turbine to an onshore sub-station requires an extremely specialised set of skills. The cable needed to be pulled through underneath the sea defences without damaging them or negatively impacting local biodiversity.
Even though AMS did not have previous experience with that kind of project, Ørsted initially invited the Scunthorpe-based business to tender to carry out the trenchless drilling at Hornsea 1. It was an opportunity that proved to be a watershed moment for the company’s drive, energy, and prospects.
“Ørsted quickly realised we needed a bit of help,” says George Aconhead, Managing Director at AMS. But he says Ørsted were willing partners who helped AMS develop and refine its expertise through its work on Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 – setting it up for even bigger projects.
Since working with Ørsted, AMS has “expanded massively,” employing lots of local talent and training new unskilled labour in-house to reach the level of expertise required for its complex work.
Working with Ørsted has paved the way for other, large-scale offshore wind contracts, completely redefining the company’s outlook. The company says about 70% of their work in 2021 came from the offshore wind sector.
“The energy and mood of the company has completely changed, we’re all in a different mindset, ever since Hornsea 1 and 2,” says Guilliatt. “Ever since then, it’s escalating.”
Their collaboration with Ørsted also lead to the company strengthening its internal health and safety procedures. AMS went from having a part-time compliance manager to employing a full time HSEQ manager after their work with Ørsted on Hornsea 1.
Plus, being next to the steel works plant in Scunthorpe is a powerful reminder for the AMS team that being part of the green energy transition is something to be proud of. “We know that we’re involved in doing our part for the environment,” says Guilliatt.
COLLABORATING FOR GROWTH PLAYBOOK
