9th June 2022
Fourteen ambitious businesses from across the UK are set to reap the rewards of the industry leading Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) Programme launched by the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP).
The first national F4OR Programme, delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and funded by the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP), is now underway – supporting businesses across the UK as they prepare to bid for work in the offshore wind sector.
The 14 successful companies will go through the rigorous 12-18 month programme, focusing on improving business operations and sector competence. It will prepare them to compete for and secure contracts at UK offshore wind farms by making them more attractive to offshore renewables project developers.
Andrew Macdonald, OWGP Programme Director said:
“Increased targets for offshore wind deployment to meet Net Zero and Energy Security commitments requires a rapid growth in the UK supply chain. Developers and turbine OEMs need confidence that the supply chain is ready to deliver high quality products and services on time and at a competitive price. The F4OR programme gives companies the knowledge and skills to succeed and companies that have been granted F4OR status are recognised as ready to deliver in the offshore wind sector. The latest national cohort for the F4OR programme has been through a rigorous selection process and I look forward to seeing them turn this potential into commercial success in the offshore wind sector.”
The national F4OR programme builds on the success of the regional F4OR programmes, delivered across the UK by ORE Catapult and its partners, Nuclear AMRC and Opergy. It brings the total number of companies supported through the programme to 88, with 38 companies already achieving the coveted F4OR Granted status. Companies in the F4OR programme typically see an increase in turnover of almost 23%, and job creation increases by 13%.
The recent ScotWind leasing round requires that, at bid stage, developers commit to 25% local content in their projects, up from 10% originally, making it more vital than ever to develop the skills, capability and experience of the regional supply chain, to deliver UK content to offshore wind projects, and meet the UK Government’s levelling up agenda. The initiative received over 50 expressions of interest before the 14 winning companies were finally selected
Andrew Stormonth-Darling, F4OR Programme Manager for ORE Catapult added:
“These companies have all demonstrated from the outset that they have the right attitude and are committed to do what it takes to see the programme through. Completing the F4OR journey is no mean feat, but I firmly believe they have what it takes and I wish them every success. At a time when UK supply chain is in more demand than ever, I look forward to seeing what sort of mark they make as they enter or grow in the offshore renewables market.”
The intermediate level F4OR programme complements an existing suite of business transformation programmes developed and delivered by OWGP and partner organisations, including the Wind Expert Support Toolkit (WEST), a foundation engagement activity, and the advanced Sharing in Growth Offshore Wind Programme.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
The F4OR National Cohort 2022 are:
| Winning Company | Business Area(s) |
| DeepOcean Subsea Services UK | Survey, project management, engineering, maintenance and recycling supported by remote and unmanned operations and digitalization in marine environments. |
| DOF Subsea UK | Construction, decommissioning, moorings, surveys, integrity management and vessel charters for marine environments. |
| Durham Lifting Limited | Design and manufacture of specialist lifting and handling equipment, testing capabilities and lifting hire equipment. |
| Green Marine (UK) Limited | Marine charter operations including; towage, anchor & mooring installation & recovery, decommissioning & salvage, hydrographic surveys, personnel transfers, buoy & met-ocean monitoring device installation and cable installation. |
| H V Wooding | Supply of electrical connections and components for use in power convertors, electrical switchgear, generators and power electronics applications. |
| IKM Testing UK Ltd | Multi-disciplinary business with services including pipeline, process, well and valve services, decommissioning, training and competency and 3D animation covering a range of marine sectors. |
| Instrument Transformers Limited | Design, manufacture and supply of transformers for protection of electrical plant. |
| Lerwick Engineering & Fabrication Ltd | Bespoke engineering services including in-house fabrication with quayside access for load out of fabricated structures. Welding, fabrication, sea fastening, coatings, electrical and mechanical fitting. |
| Malin Group (Renfrew) | Manufacturing of large marine structures, specialist handling equipment, renewable devices and civil structures. |
| MJR Controls Ltd t/a MJR Power & Automation | Consultancy, FEED & feasibility studies, basic design, detailed design, assembly & fabrication, installation, commissioning and after sales support and servicing of electrical power, automation & control systems. |
| Oceaneering International Services Ltd (Rosyth) | Design and manufacture of thermoplastic hoses, electric power and signal cables, subsea umbilicals incorporating thermoplastic hoses, steel tube, electric power signal, fibre optic cables and cable terminations and ancillary equipment. |
| Pinnacle Consulting Ltd | Structural engineering design and analysis, studies and surveys of offshore and onshore structures. Design and build of subsea protective structures & manifolds. |
| Renewable Parts Limited | Wind turbine minor component refurbishment and remanufacture R&D. Sourcing and supply of new wind turbine components including supply chain management supporting management of wind farm component supply chain for use at an operational level. |
| Wozair Limited | Design and manufacture installation and maintenance of various systems including HVAC, air handling equipment, dampers, air terminal devices, louvres, separators and filters, acoustic products and water removal/eliminators. |
Developed with input from the offshore renewables industry and based on the successful Fit For Nuclear programme, ORE Catapult established the F4OR business improvement programme in collaboration with HVM Catapult’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) and supported by Opergy Ltd, with the aim of developing an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain.
Over 140 companies have now received support through either grant funding or business transformation initiatives since the launch of OWGP in 2019.
About the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) is a long-term business transformation programme that has been established as part of the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal. It will promote closer collaboration across the supply chain, implement structured productivity improvement programmes and facilitate shared growth opportunities between developers and the supply chain.
Until 2030, delivery will focus on direct support to supply chain companies through a combination of strategic capability assessments, advisory services and grant funding. ORE Catapult will manage the delivery of OWGP with support from specialist delivery partners.
About the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult was established in 2013 by the UK Government and is part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. It is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy.
Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world-leading test and demonstration facilities and engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector and delivers applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost and enhancing UK-wide economic growth.
Active throughout the UK, ORE Catapult has operations in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, Hull, the South West and Wales.
About the Offshore Wind Industry Council
A senior Government and industry forum, OWIC was established in 2013 to drive the development of the world-leading offshore wind sector in the UK.