North East engineering company Osbit has launched a Netherlands base to boost its offering to Dutch customers.
The offshore wind technology developer, based in Riding Mill, Northumberland, has already expanded operations elsewhere around the globe following its acquisition by Yorkshire-based Venterra Group in 2021, a move which has seen its workforce increase significantly.
The company opened a US entity, Osbit Inc in Rhode Island and Delaware, last December amid moves to tap into the country’s burgeoning offshore wind sector, adding to its Port of Blyth and Riding Mill locations and tenancy at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft. Now the company has launched Netherlands business entity and office, Osbit B.V, which is now operational from its base in Rotterdam.
Read more: Turntide Technologies named as preferred supplier for Hitachi intercity battery train trial
Osbit has appointed Jurgen Zijlmans as general manager of Osbit B.V, to lead business operations in the region. Mr Zijlmans has worked in the offshore equipment industry for 15 years, supporting the technical and commercial development of a variety of major offshore wind installation and handling projects, both in the UK and Netherlands.
He is joined by Osbit engineer Sacha Aichroth, who joined the company in 2014 and has been instrumental in the successful delivery of a variety of projects. He has relocated to Rotterdam from the North East. Osbit’s progression forms part of Venterra’s wider group developments in global offshore wind, which includes representation across nine countries.
Osbit joint managing director Robbie Blakeman said: “The Netherlands has always been a key market for us, and we’ve been developing exciting new technology for our customers in this region for many years. As a business, we are thrilled to be taking this next step to meet the growing needs of vessel and equipment operators in both the Netherlands, and wider European region.
“The creation of Osbit B.V and the opening of our first Dutch office is the latest step in ours, and Venterra Group’s overall global expansion strategy, and a natural next step to support and expand upon the work we have already been doing.”
Mr Zijlmans, added: “The Netherlands is a huge hub for offshore development. By establishing an entity here, Osbit is in a fantastic position to further build upon what we are already doing - providing innovative technology to enable safe and efficient build out and maintenance of wind farms and offshore installations across the globe. I am very much looking forward to working with my colleague Sacha, as we continue to build our offering in the Netherlands.”
READ NEXT
