Aberdeen-based Balmoral Comtec has completed the installation of its manufacturing plant at its new advanced composites facility at Montrose Port.

The company invested a seven-figure sum in the 18,299 sq. ft (1700 sqm) quayside facility where large scale components for the offshore energy sector will be built.

Composite products including subsea protection, wave energy structures, manifold covers and wellhead protection will be produced at the facility. The investment in these premises will help the leading north-east business service the offshore industries more effectively as it strengthens its commitment to the wind, wave and tidal energy sectors.

Founded in 1980 by Chairman and Managing Director Sir Jim Milne CBE, Balmoral already provides protection products (fatigue, impact and abrasion), buoyancy (mooring and cable) and tethering solutions (clamps) to the offshore wind sector. The new manufacturing site at the Port of Montrose will allow the company to deliver its large advanced composite products direct from shore to ship as the sector expands in the waters off the coast of Scotland and further afield.

30-40 skilled and semi-skilled jobs will be created initially with more expected as this branch of the business grows.

Sir Jim said: “We are delighted to have reached this stage of our expansion at Montrose so quickly. The facility is operational now and we are completing product prototypes on site and hope to welcome clients to view our capabilities very soon.

“While the offshore renewables sector is moving apace this facility will also service the traditional offshore energy market with large scale advanced composites structures.”

Tom, Chief Executive Officer of Montrose Port Authority, said: “Like us, Balmoral focuses on its team, knowing that its people are its greatest asset and so we are delighted to have them join our port community, creating new jobs for our town and boosting our regional economy.

“Balmoral’s services are greatly welcomed as they will attract new business to the Port within the current energy markets we already serve as well as the growing renewables sector, aligning with our ambition to position ourselves as a renewables hub for the region.”

Already having an established reputation for supporting the general cargo and oil and gas industries, Montrose Port supports 400 jobs worth £15m to the regional economy. The Port is actively involved in the renewables sector with the operations and maintenance base for Seagreen now operational as its field seeks to start commercial operations in early 2023. Construction for the Inch Cape wind farm operations and maintenance base will begin at Montrose in 2023.