redguard specialist services

Specialist Services Group Celebrating 38 Years

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This year, Specialist Services Group is celebrating 38 years of operations as a global supplier of oilfield equipment, modular buildings and packaging solutions for people and equipment in the oil and gas, utility, petrochemical, power, renewables, and defence industries.

Throughout almost four decades, we have developed and refined an international capability in design, engineering, manufacture, installation, and support across our broad range of products and services. At the same time, we have also expanded geographically, with the aim of supporting our clients worldwide through our facilities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America.

A Brief Overview of Our Milestones

Founded in 1982 as ASCO Specialist Services, in 1985, Specialist Services became a sole proprietorship company owned by Philip Bond. During the first decade of its operations, the company provided quality products and solutions for some of the key players in the Oil & Gas industry, such as TOTAL ABK, Bundoq, Saudi Aramco, and Larsen and Toubro, among others.

Our Facilities

During the first 20 years, our facilities expanded first in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, followed by 15 years of global expansion first into South East Asia and Australia markets with Specialist Services Holdings Pte Ltd established in Singapore in 2010, and in Europe through the acquisition of Labtech Services Limited in Aberdeen, UK, in 2011. This was followed by the setup of a new company in India, Specialist Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., and two Joint Venture Companies with RedGuard from the USA, including RedGuard Specialist Services based in UAE (2016) and Specialist Services RedGuard based in the USA (2017).

Our Product Range

Known in the industry as a provider of reliable and internationally compliant products, we started with Buildings, fire rated products and EPC projects. Over the last two decades, we then expanded our solutions range by adding Modular Hire, Drilling, Testing, Production and Process Packages (DTPP), as well as turn-key Facilities Management Solutions.

Throughout the years, we have been continuously innovating our products and services, to provide the best solutions for our clients. Within our DTPP solutions, we lead the market designing and delivering onshore and offshore modular well test packages, we have produced the world’s first scalable and flexible modular early production facilities, and also developed and delivered a stand-alone process heater with Sil 2 burner management system for Zone II hazardous area installation. Within our Buildings product range, we provide fully modular living quarters and stressed skin living quarters, and recently we also introduced and delivered modular shooting ranges, modular blast-rated multi-level plant control buildings, and stand-alone self-sufficient blast-rated and gas over-pressured refuge buildings. Within our Modular Hire division, we have also developed the world’s largest ABS compliant offshore accommodation fleet.

Our quality assurance processes and certification verify that our products and services meet the highest quality standards. Our latest certification includes Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 450001:2018.

Our Largest Projects

Throughout the years, within our Buildings division, we have worked on various large projects, such as 58 Man Living Quarters for ConocoPhillips, Bongkot Phase 4A Living Quarters Platform for PTTEP in Thailand, a 50 man Living Quarters Extension for Chevron in Thailand, Local Equipment Room and Local Control Room Buildings for Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) in UAE, a Control Building for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in Kuwait, Substation Modules for National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and ADMA-OPCO in UAE, and the latest large project—70 Man 4-Level Living Quarter for Mubadala Petroleum in Malaysia, among others.

Some of Our Latest Achievements

In 2013, DNV GL awarded us the renewal of the DNV Manufacturing Survey Arrangement (or MSA), confirming once again Specialist Services’ high quality and reliable products manufacture, while in 2014, the Public Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality awarded Specialist Services as a role model organisation in the manufacturing sector for the management of occupational health and safety during the year 2012-2013. The same year, we launched the G4 Global, the first globally compliant office module, and received the Type Approval (TA) Certificate from ABS for 20ft A60 4 Men Portable Accommodation Modules. A year later, we launched FLEX 33 Accommodation Modules, compliant with the stringent ABS code.

In 2016, Zakher Marine International awarded us a rental contract for a 77-module, 150 man TLQ complex to accommodate ZADCO personnel offshore Abu Dhabi—one of the largest TLQ projects in the world. The same year, we also celebrated 6 million man-hours without Lost Time Injuries. Since 2017, we have been also achieving very high Customer Loyalty Score results, above 70%, and since 2019 over 80%, which reflect a high level of customer satisfaction with our solutions. This year, Abdul K. Molla, Welder at Specialist Services, won the first prize at SteelFab 2020 in UAE, proving the high level of professionalism of our employees.

This is just a short snapshot of some of our achievements, proving our quality and professionalism in all aspects of our business. While we are proud of what we have accomplished over almost four decades, we still have ambitious plans for the future.

Rogier van Riet appointed General Manager of RedGuard Specialist Services

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The Board of RedGuard Specialist Services are pleased to welcome Rogier van Riet as the new General Manager.

Ian Rogers, CEO at Specialist Services Group and Director at RedGuard Specialist Services said: “We are pleased to announce that following a successful period as Business Development Manager – Europe, Rogier has been promoted to the role of General Manager.”

Prior to joining RedGuard Specialist Services, Rogier has been working for a decade in various sales and marketing roles in the Oil & Gas and Shipping industries. In his previous role at SAL Offshore B.V., he was responsible for business development and commercial management of offshore projects for South East Asia, Australia and the Far East, while in his latest role as Business Development Manager at RedGuard Specialist Services, he was responsible for projects based onshore and offshore Europe.

“In his new role, Rogier will focus on furthering the expansion of all products and services across our key regions, ensuring revenue growth and profitability,” said Chris Ridley, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Specialist Services Group and Director at RedGuard Specialist Services.

The appointment of Rogier van Riet represents an important milestone for RedGuard Specialist Services’ expansion strategy. “Rogier’s extensive experience and Oil & Gas background are going to be pivotal in the next stage of growth for the company, and we wish him every success in his new role,” concluded Ian Rogers.

Rogier van Riet took up his new post on 28th June 2020 in Rotterdam.

CoverSix Dedicated Website for Defence and Security Solutions

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RedGuard has been successfully providing products to the US military and defence clients for several years now under the CoverSix brand, and together with Specialist Services Group, we have taken this product range globally through our Joint Venture Company—RedGuard Specialist Services. With a wide variety of modular buildings for protection and security, CoverSix has now a dedicated website, providing detailed information about these hardened structures.

The product line features modular buildings equipped with customised threat mitigation, such as ballistic resistance, blast resistance, and resistance to forced entry. CoverSix also includes modular training range facilities, custom-outfitted ISO containers for use as mobile office locations and portable storage units. Scalable in size, CoverSix has a solution to keep personnel and assets safe and secure, no matter where duty calls.

At Specialist Services Group and LABTECH, we understand that mission-specific requirements are complex and can vary depending on your mission requirements. Therefore, together with RedGuard, we decided to provide those in the defence and security industry with a website focused entirely on their requirements.

With our strategic alliance with RedGuard, we are able to immediately address the requirements for specialised and hardened modular buildings serving the needs of defence, federal, and security customers worldwide.

RedGuard Specialist Services signs Agency Agreement with EQIN in Rotterdam

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We are glad to announce that RedGuard Specialist Services signed a new Agency Agreement with EQIN, the leading specialist in equipment solutions, to provide blast-resistant modular buildings in Europe.

In the photo (from left to right): John Kay, General Manager (RedGuard Specialist Services), Chris Ridley, Director (RedGuard Specialist Services), Rogier van Riet, Business Development Manager – Europe (RedGuard Specialist Services), Arjan Simmelink, Technical Director (EQIN), and Paul Verloop, Regional Manager South West (EQIN).

This partnership with EQIN will allow RedGuard Specialist Services to further penetrate the European market for blast-resistant modular buildings for sale and hire. Being the leading specialist in equipment solutions with business locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, EQIN is well established and perfectly positioned to supply RedGuard Specialist Services’ blast-resistant modular buildings in North-West Europe.

Arjan Simmelink, Technical Director at EQIN said: “We are very excited about the agreement with RedGuard Specialist Services and are looking forward to doing business together. These modules are a valuable expansion of the equipment we can offer our customers at petrochemical plants who have to work in explosion-sensitive zones”.

With Headquarters in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, EQIN is the most versatile all-round player in the field of industrial equipment rental and sales, and is a 100% subsidiary of Stork, a Fluor company. EQIN sells and rents temporary energy, air, lighting and welding installations, tools and equipment and accessories in the chemicals, oil and gas, power, steel and shipbuilding market segments. The provision of total concepts is one of EQIN’s strengths. Throughout the world, they supply total concepts on a project basis consisting of tools and equipment, staff, safety inspections, budget management and complete site facilities for turnarounds and new constructions.

Specialist Services Group Event 2018

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We are glad to share with you a snapshot from the Specialist Services Group Event 2018, which took place in Dubai on 15th March 2018.

The event started with a Group Conference at the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel in Dubai, with presentations from the Management Team related to the Group Vision 2020, our projects and services, our two joint venture companies (RedGuard Specialist Services based in Dubai and Specialist Services RedGuard based in Houston), and our business transformation activities.

After the conference, we all enjoyed a dinner cruise on board Bateau Dubai, where we signed our commitment to the Vision 2020 and participated in a team competition. The event concluded with the distribution of Long Service Awards to our employees achieving 10, 15 and 20 years of service at Specialist Services. Congratulations again to all awardees!

 

In below video you can take a look at a snapshot from the event.

Technical Article about blast protection published in Hydrocarbon Engineering

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Blast Protection

Despite the challenging economic situation since 2008, with a further downturn in the oil & gas industry in 2013, we have seen a continuous progress in the blast-resistance industry. Even though blast-resistant modular buildings design and engineering advances, there are still gaps related to certification, regulation and blast testing guidelines.

In this technical article, Natasa Kobal, Marketing and Communications Manager, speaks to Hydrocarbon Engineering exploring the best industry practices and options available to protect people and assets from blast in oil, gas and petrochemical plants. Read the full article at: https://d1tp9je03a4iqr.cloudfront.net/flip/hydrocarbon-engineering/2018/March/d13f4fJ.html#26
Even though in some cases facilities are well run and undergo regular checks and improvements, a major blast could occur without warning for various reasons. It is, therefore, important to take all the necessary precautions in order to minimise risks and ensure blast protection.

 

There are still no official regulations covering the requirements related to blast-resistant buildings. As such, it is important to select effective providers of blast-resistant buildings, which have introduced their own high standards to ensure personnel and assets safety in case of a blast. Engineered to our industry-leading safety specifications, each RedGuard Specialist Services blast-resistant module adheres to the requirements of API RP 753 and API RP 752 and applies a proven, successfully blast tested design.

Specialist Services and RedGuard announce new Joint Venture

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We are glad to announce a new joint venture with RedGuard to provide modular buildings to the offshore and drilling segments of the oil and gas industry in the Western Hemisphere, with particular focus on the US Gulf Coast.

The new joint venture, Specialist Services RedGuard, located in Houston, combines the best assets and talents of both parent companies. Specialist Services Group, with headquarters in Dubai, is a leading manufacturer of zone 1 offshore and accommodation modules, supported by extensive design and engineering capabilities in its manufacturing facilities. The U.S.-based RedGuard has the world’s largest fleet of ready-to-lease blast-resistant buildings and extensive experience in the provision of field-tested, customized modules for blast and ballistic applications. With 50 years of combined experience behind it, Specialist Services RedGuard will be able to immediately address the need for zone 1 modules, accommodations and custom solutions across the Western Hemisphere.

In the photo (from left to right): John Doswell – Director, Safety and Quality, RedGuard, Darren Hillman – President, RedGuard, David Knights – Partner, Havenvest Private Equity Middle East Limited / Director, Specialist Services Holdings Limited, and Ian Rogers – Chief Executive Officer, Specialist Services Holdings Limited.

“We are pleased to be working on a joint venture with RedGuard again, this time in a geographic area of their familiarity, to introduce the high quality range of products that we’ve been designing, engineering and manufacturing for many years. Our accommodation modules deliver a world class experience, as well as protect the lives and assets of customers in some of the world’s most hazardous and challenging environments,” said Ian Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Specialist Services Group.

“We have a unique opportunity to combine the knowledge, experience, leadership, and the culture of two well-established companies in each of our respective markets. We’ve hired Tim Murphy as Director of Sales and Business Development. He brings a decade of high level, offshore business management experience to further our commitment to developing solutions that aid our customers in expanding their operational capabilities and keep their personnel and assets safe and productive,” said Darren Hillman, RedGuard President.

We have previously partnered on a joint venture—RedGuard Specialist Services—that introduced RedGuard’s blast-resistant products to key areas in the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.