Closer Machine – Bridon Neptune Quay
Industry leaders from companies including Heerema, NOV, and Certex assembled in Northern England this week to watch UK Business Minister Michael Fallon open a facility that will manufacture the world’s largest ropes.
The event marked the commencement of manufacturing at Bridon Neptune Quay (BNQ), a state-of-the-art factory constructed by Bridon International which will produce the largest and most complex offshore ropes in the world. The facility will have the capacity to produce highly engineered ropes in package weights of 650 tonnes, boasting enhanced breaking loads, optimised bend fatigue performance, effective lubrication, and minimal rotation under load.
The occasion was marked by the switching-on of the factory’s rope-closing machine, which is the largest of its kind in existence. The machine, which was constructed to a unique specification by German engineering company SKET, will allow the company to produce far more complex ropes than had ever previously been possible with such weights. Pulling the lever to activate the machine was UK Business Minister Michael Fallon, who praised Bridon for establishing a global technology leadership position through its consistent investment in innovation.
The Rt. Hon Michael Fallon MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise, Jon Templeman, CEO, Bridon
Accompanying Bridon Chief Executive Jon Templeman at the event were a host of senior industry figures including Certex CEO Peter Keith and NOV Cranes Division Head Oddvar Hoydal, who noted how Bridon’s highly engineered ropes could improve their companies’ heavy lifting and deepwater deployment capabilities.
In addition to the switching-on of the facility’s rope-closing machine, the opening event offered a range of technical seminars for attending industry leaders, designed to demonstrate Bridon’s unique services offering. Focused on ensuring customers get the most out of Bridon’s highly complex ropes, this package provides tailored support throughout a rope’s development, installation and application.
Rope onto Take Up Stand – Bridon Neptune Quay
Now operational, Bridon Neptune Quay is already taking on orders from major multinational operators, and its production schedule is designed to cater to the highest possible levels of demand. The factory’s portside location, along with its state of the art Takeup Stand for lifting reels directly from dock to vessel, will help Bridon to significantly improve logistics.
Bridon Group Chief Executive Jon Templeman said:
“I’m proud to announce that Bridon Neptune Quay is open for business, making the largest and most complex ropes the offshore industry has ever seen. We have worked closely with customers to understand the challenges they face in reaching greater depths in some of the toughest conditions on earth; thanks to this collaborative approach, ropes constructed at Bridon Neptune Quay will not only be the most advanced in the world, but will also be uniquely tailored to tackle 21st century offshore challenges”.
Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon said:
“Companies like Bridon International are a great example of how Britain’s manufacturers are leading the world. Through Bridon’s innovations, the largest, most advanced ropes ever made are being sold around the world from Britain – and helping to solve the challenges our modern offshore industries face.
“As a growing manufacturing company, Bridon are exactly the sort of firm the Regional Growth Fund was set up to support. I’m very pleased that we have been able to provide them with £2.2 million to help open this state of the art new facility.”
Peter Keith, Group MD CERTEX Division said:
“We are particularly excited about the complexity of the ropes that will be manufactured at Bridon Neptune Quay, as well as their enhanced bend fatigue life and reduced rotation and elongation. These technological advancements will make many new projects possible for our customers and I look forward to be able to offer these ropes from our CERTEX companies in the near future.”
