A subsea engineering firm based in Aberdeen has more than tripled its operational space following its relocation to new headquarters.
Orca Oceanic Systems is now aiming to increase its revenue to £8 million within the coming year.
The company, which employs a workforce of 12, has moved to the Energy Transition Zone located within Altens Industrial Estate in Aberdeen.
Founded in 2015, Orca Oceanic Systems specialises in customised engineering solutions for commercial diving and hyperbaric systems.
Lee Duncan, the general manager, stated that the relocation was crucial, as they had outgrown their previous premises in Portlethen. The new facility, spanning 600 sq m and named Orca House, will function as both the company’s headquarters and a dedicated manufacturing area for its advanced electrical products and containerised diving systems.
Lee told the Press & Journal: “We were sardines in a can and had outgrown our old building. We took on one unit and then had to take on the second one where we knocked the wall in and it was the same with a third one.”
“There was just no room left for us. The rooms were tiny and not big enough for what we’ve got going on. This new building has everything we wanted.”
Currently, Orca Oceanic Systems has 12 employees and intends to hire an additional four within the next six months to facilitate growth. The company, which currently boasts a turnover of £4 million, is optimistic about doubling that figure in the next year.
Lee said: “We’re a company with ambitions and have launched products, a new division and the engineering side has been bidding on a lot of long-term projects that are waiting to be awarded. One of those alone is a £3m project and there’s the potential for repeat orders.”
“We’ve managed to get ourselves into quite a niche, so a lot of our work hasn’t been coming from traditional oil and gas—it’s been coming from companies using our equipment for research purposes on the seabed.”
Staff began moving into the new building last month, with an investment of £120,000 allocated for creating new workshops and enhancements, which included a graffiti artist creating a stunning mural on the entrance.
Mike Masson, Orca Oceanic Systems managing director, said: “The opening of Orca House is a proud moment for our team.
“It reflects the hard work and dedication that has gone into building a company capable of delivering world-class engineering solutions.
“Our new facility not only enhances our manufacturing capabilities but also strengthens our position in the global diving systems market.
“We’re excited about the future and the opportunities this expansion will bring.”
