Gloucestershire-based Arc Energy Resources, the weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist, has acquired precision machining company CLG Engineering, based in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

Arc Energy Resources provides corrosion-resistant weld overlay cladding services to a variety of clients in industry sectors ranging from oil and gas to defence, power generation, petrochemical, water and nuclear. Its versatile processes provide a practical combination of readily-available, cost-effective base materials and corrosion-resistant alloys to protect any critical area, providing cost savings and reductions in lead times. Its fabrication department holds ASME U and U2 Stamps, and manufactures radiographic-quality specialist equipment, including pressure vessels, spools, pig launchers, wellhead equipment and nuclear devices.

CLG Engineering provides CNC milling, CNC turning and assembly services to, amongst others, the oil and gas, automotive and rail industries. Certified to ISO 9001, and with over 40 years’ engineering experience, its knowledgeable team can produce parts from 25mm to 1.25 metres in length, and up to 18” diameter, within tight tolerances.

The acquisition means that Arc Energy Resources’ 80 employees are supplemented by CLG Engineering’s 14, to create a stronger team with a wider mix of skills. Both companies are supported by teams of experienced project managers, inspectors and welding engineers, with access to a wide range of auxiliary processes in-house, including heat treatment, NDT and CMM inspection.

Commenting on behalf of both companies, group managing director Andrew Robinson, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both companies. CLG Engineering’s precision machining capability perfectly complements Arc Energy Resources’ cladding and fabrication offering.

“The group structure enables us to offer a one-stop-shop for all our clients’ engineering requirements, from design and material supply through to welding, cladding, machining, NDT, pressure testing, surface finishing and project management.”

He goes on to say that the cultures of the two companies are highly compatible, from a focus on quality, attention to detail and customer service, to the way they treat their staff. “I have great plans for the future growth of the group, and am looking forward to supporting our clients on new and larger projects.” says Andrew.

Arc Energy Resources was supported in the acquisition by Gloucestershire-based BPE Solicitors. Commenting for the practice, corporate partner Tim Ward says: “We were delighted to represent Arc Energy Resources at such an important time. With our head office in Cheltenham, we opened an office in Stonehouse just two years ago, so this is a great opportunity to work with two successful Stroud businesses, providing them with legal services at a very exciting time. We wish them every success.”

The acquisition follows a record trading year for Arc Energy Resources, which grew its turnover in 2015 by 14% to £6.5M and invested heavily in new equipment and facilities including a bi-cathode rotary head cladding cell, a robotic welding cell and a 6,000 square foot extension to its workshop.

Arc Energy Resources are specialists in weld overlay cladding and the manufacture of fabrications for the oil & gas industry. Weld overlay cladding provides the benefit of cost effective protection against corrosion and wear for a variety of components destined for aggressive environments.

Transition, the theme of this year’s ONS, echoes the ongoing development of the company. Within the last year, Andrew Robinson has been promoted to managing director, whilst the company has invested heavily in new equipment, including twin tungsten and robotic machinery, that has significantly boosted the size and scope of the company’s weld overlay cladding capabilities.

Integrated with a sophisticated production system, the new machines handle components that would previously have been considered almost impossible to clad. The new investments are a direct result of close consultation with clients, who have increasingly challenging weld requirements, which Arc Energy’s highly qualified engineering team are pleased to help solve.

Eastington-based weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist Arc Energy Resources achieved a record turnover of £6.5 million, while investing £1 million in new equipment and a new building to house a sophisticated computerised robot.

New managing director Andrew Robinson says the company’s performance has been achieved against a sector background of falling oil prices, many thousands of redundancies announced by major industry leaders, and shorter working weeks.

Arc Energy Resources offers outstanding technical support in its main discipline of specialised weld overlay cladding, which is widely used in the oil and gas industries to protect huge valves, pumps and pipelines from corrosion.

“We have also increased office space, installed a highly-specialised robotic research and development facility, invested in a bi-cathode installation that will pre-qualify equipment and enable us to increase the capacity, accuracy, productivity and lead times of our weld overlay cladding output.” says Andrew.

Andrew also confirms that Arc Energy Resources has created a new 600 square metre manufacturing facility that will allow the company to increase its capacity to clad massive 30” globe valves that have become something of a speciality for its highly-trained welding teams. Additionally, the company’s previous investment in two rotating head welding machines continues to increase productivity and extend the size and scope of work the company can handle.

The company also boasts excellent management systems and an ongoing research and development programme as part of its investment, which topped £1 million across a wide range of projects. 

Andrew Robinson, who last year succeeded his father as managing director of Gloucestershire-based weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist Arc Energy Resources, has been selected as the 2016 Institute of Directors (IoD) South West Family Business Director of the Year.

Commenting for the IoD, regional director Simon Face says: “Andrew’s success is an excellent example of a second-generation leader who has evolved the business, driving their own path and strategic direction in a niche sector which has made a hugely positive impact.

“It is great to see clear thinking, positive planning and thorough business knowledge shining through towards real results.” he says.

This latest announcement builds on Andrew’s previous success with the IoD, having received the Director Development Award in 2014. This was related to his performance when studying for the IoD Certificate in Company Direction, and provided a lot of positive exposure for Andrew and Arc Energy Resources.

Presented at a prestigious ceremony at Ashton Gate stadium, the South West Family Business Director of the Year award was based on Andrew’s achievements within the business over the last twelve months. These include a brand new workshop, a strong succession plan, and record turnover of £6.5 milion despite difficult market conditions in the oil and gas sector.

Andrew has also driven a big increase in research and development spending, resulting in the acquisition of three new cutting-edge pieces of technology: a bi-cathode rotary head cladding system; a robotic welding cell; and the next generation of conventional cladding stations, designed and built in-house by Arc Energy’s experienced engineers.

Andrew joined the family firm in 2008 working in the Supply Chain department, but swiftly took on additional roles. “I went on to develop our environmental management system, take on shop floor scheduling and project management.” says Andrew.

Having taken on more and more enjoyable responsibilities, Andrew realised in 2012 that he should be treating his role in the company as a serious aspiration. “I completed management training and subsequently directorship training with the IoD and, in 2013, was appointed to the Board of Directors. In 2014 we finalised our succession plans in which I became managing director, and I published my six-year business plan.” he says.

Since then Arc Energy Resources has expanded profitably into new markets, increased the capacity of the premises and been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Silver award, plus Health and Wellbeing. On a personal level, Andrew’s activities outside the business have included engaging with local schools and careers events.

“The biggest long-term issue facing our sector is a lack of young skilled workers and I believe industry has a significant role to play in encouraging young people to consider a career in engineering.” says Andrew. “It’s such an exciting place to be and with so many opportunities, we need to let children, parents and teachers know what is available to them.”

Andrew is a member of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing sector group and, alongside representatives from companies including Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Sellafield and other major nuclear operators, sits on the Advisory Board to the National Skills Academy for Nuclear.

“It’s a real honour to receive this award and great to be recognised for my hard work.” says Andrew. Looking to the future, he adds: “My success in the recent IoD awards also qualifies me to represent the South West region in the National Director of the Year awards in London, in October. So there is much to look forward to!”

Gloucestershire-based Arc Energy Resources – a specialist in weld overlay cladding and fabrication services for the oil & gas, nuclear and water industries worldwide – has been awarded a prestigious Investors in People Silver Award, an upgrade to the Bronze Award it has held since 2013.  The Company also received the Good Practice award for Health and Wellbeing.

Announcing the new awards, company director Rosemary Robinson says: “The Investors in People award recognises that businesses go above and beyond expectations in the way they develop, support and motivate staff. Since winning the Bronze Award standard, with each subsequent assessment we have been able to demonstrate real improvements to our systems.” She adds that Investors in People is not something achieved by simply ticking a box or preparing for an audit, it is something that is central to a business. “We live it.” she says.

Commenting on the news, Rosemary’s son and Arc Energy Resources managing director, Andrew Robinson says: “It is exciting to have this accreditation as it demonstrates that we go above and beyond expectations to ensure that our staff are well managed, trained and developed.”

For the new award, an additional 20 assessment objectives were considered within the IIP Framework, including 92 additional evidence requirements and an initial assessment against the IIP’s Health and Wellbeing Award.

As Rosemary explains, the Health and Wellbeing Award is special because it shows that, in addition to the IIP Silver requirement, the company is investing significant resources into the ongoing health and wellbeing of its staff, which is good for them and for the Company.

She adds that the way this affects staff was demonstrated when, in 2015, one of our employees, Charlie Fryer, won Employee of the Year in the Cotswold Life EMI awards, and Arc Energy Resources won the Stroud Life Family Business of the Year and overall Business of the Year.

The Investors in People framework, which is suitable for organisations of any size and in any sector, transforms business performance through people, helping companies to achieve their objectives by targeting specific priorities within the organisation.

Arc Energy Resources was first accredited as an Investor in People in May 2004 and successfully reviewed in 2007, 2010 and 2013.

Summarising, Investors in People Practitioner Mary Walsh says that all of the core requirements were met and she was therefore delighted to confirm that Silver level accreditation has been awarded. She was further delighted to confirm that all of the requirements of a further Health and Wellbeing Award were also met and the new Award was added to Arc Energy Resources’ achievements, together with a clear understanding of the success and the costs of company’s health and wellbeing strategy.

The IIP review also noted that strategic planning has improved significantly, learning and development continues to be well structured and staff describe a longstanding open culture where people are listened to and constructive feedback is encouraged.