Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions Opens Houston Office to Service Increased Offshore Business

Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions has established a new office in Houston, Texas in response to increased client demand for its newbuilding and aftermarket products and services.

WTS is targeting increased business from the local offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico and an expanded focus on Brazil, where deepwater offshore production is entering a new and dynamic phase.

WTS Vice President, Americas Region, Philip Bannerman says the company is well placed to provide the mix of skills and competence in demand in these regions.

“Both US and Brazilian offshore & energy markets are booming and we wanted to be closer to where our customers are. As offshore activity grows, the challenge for operators is sourcing a reliable partner with a global reach, qualified personnel and the depth of service offer to support their business.”

The Houston office will draw on sector expertise from across the WTS network, including aftermarket and newbuilding HVAC-R systems and electrical/automation systems, to provide clients with a portfolio of services from a single location.

Typical projects will be pre-engineering on newbuilds as well as modifications, midlife upgrades and key maintenance projects between and during drydocks.

WTS Sales Manager for Offshore & Energy, Stephen McAfee, says:

“We already have a core of offshore clients in the Gulf of Mexico but winning new business here means being local because often these contracts are very time-sensitive. We are developing a strong engineering and project management base in Houston, supported by existing functions from our Fort Lauderdale office, which includes our large stock of European spares.”

Through its Houston office, WTS can also start to address the shortage of the skilled personnel among specialist offshore contractors, directly employing personnel in the US and drawing on its offices world-wide to provide specialised knowledge.

Philip Bannerman adds that as regulatory and environmental requirements become tougher and the procurement process more transparent, the advantage falls to WTS.

“It takes a company of our size and longevity to be able to respond to the prevailing changes in demand and I believe it’s a very good time for us to step in to the Houston market. We can satisfy the requirement for an experienced, highly competent company that works to the necessary scale and requirements now and in the future.”