Aberdeen-headquartered Altrad Sparrows (Sparrows), an engineering and maintenance specialist for the global energy and industrial sectors, is seeing significant growth in Africa thanks to a trio of contract awards in the region.
A crane maintenance agreement in Côte d’Ivoire with an oilfield services multinational is the company’s first in the country for several years.
The five-year deal includes undertaking major inspections and carrying out overhauls and repairs as required. Onshore refurbishment and repair will be supported by Sparrows’ dedicated engineering facility in Angola.
Implementation of a PLC upgrade will be the first scope carried out as part of the award. This will include providing required documentation and PLC design, spare parts to the safety and operation of the crane inclusive the testing of equipment.
In a separate two-year deal, the same client has also awarded Sparrows a contract for training services in Angola. The company will supply trainer / assessors to deliver Sparrows’ specialist training courses including offshore crane operator standard stage 1 and stage 2, offshore crane operator standard stage 3 re-assessments, banksman and slinger, rigging and lifting, rigging loft management / lifting equipment inspection, forklift, and working at height level 2 and level 3.
All the courses combine theory and practical elements which will be delivered at Sparrows’ training facility in Luanda. The centre is equipped with a mobile crane, crane simulator, forklift, rigging lofts and rigging frame, as well as dedicated classroom space.
And in Senegal and Mauritania, the company will be working on a three-year contract to provide certification of lifting equipment for a supermajor’s major project. The contract includes provision of ad-hoc personnel to undertake crane thorough examinations, testing, non-destructive examinations, and certification of all loose and fixed lifting equipment. In addition, Altrad Sparrows will supply certified lifting equipment, rigging lofts and materials to support the service.
The loose and fixed lifting equipment includes but is not limited to beam clamps, davits, hoists and trolleys, pad-eyes, runway beams, shackles, and winches.
“We have been working in Africa for over three decades, but the region continues to be an important part of our growth strategy and these new contracts demonstrate the increasing demand for our services in the region,” said Dave Buckham, regional director Africa, Altrad Sparrows.
“These contracts support our continued efforts to ensure the safety of people and equipment, and our commitment to developing the local workforce. We have strong relationships with our clients, and we look forward to working with them on these significant projects and building the regions position in these markets.”
With the rising demand for its services, the company has moved its Luanda base to a new facility which includes a larger workshop space. Based in the city centre near the main logistics hub, the new location will allow the business to increase its service lines, provide clients with better access to support, and attract the best local talent to grow the business.
