Sparrows expands in six countries

Engineering and maintenance services specialist Sparrows Group has announced a global expansion with its move to six new purpose-built facilities in Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia and the USA.

Exterior of Sparrow Group’s workshop in Abu Dhabi

Its expansion is due to increasing demand for its services, including maintenance of cranes and other critical machinery in the energy and industrial sectors, and it will create 200 new jobs.

Stewart Mitchell, Sparrows CEO, said, “Although it has been a challenging time for many businesses, we are working in more industries than ever, from mining to defence.

“This increased capacity allows us to support more clients, assuring the reliability and integrity of their safety critical equipment.”

In Australia, the company has moved to a new 2,100 square metre complex and workshop in Perth on the west coast, and said it intends to employ 40 more members of staff.

Middle East moves

Sparrows has increased its Middle East footprint with new facilities in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. In Abu Dhabi, the 7,300 square metre premises will house a team of 100, with the company hiring more than 50 new people.

The new 5,000 square metre facility in Doha, Qatar, will provide space for the maintenance and refurbishment of large components, including drilling equipment.

The company opened a new 1,330 square metre facility in Kazakhstan for equipment repair and maintenance, which includes a training centre and workshop.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the company has moved to a new office in Al Khobar to accommodate its rapidly growing workforce and is due to open an additional facility in the Jubail area.

USA ambitions

The new USA facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been opened to provide local support to industrial and marine customers in the region, in addition to facilities in Houma and Slidell.

Providing cylinder tear down, inspection and repair, hydraulic testing, and maintenance and repair of mechanical, hydraulic, and rotating components, Sparrows expects to increase its headcount there with the addition of more technical staff.

Stewart Mitchell said, “We see enormous potential in these locations to provide services to the energy and industrial sectors.

“Across the Middle East we’ve seen an uptick in training needs and along with our recruitment drive across the region we’re already planning to install a pedestal crane for lifting and crane operations, in addition to our existing crane simulator.

“We intend to continue to invest in both people and equipment to accelerate our growth.”