The North Sea isn’t the deepest, coldest or most remote place on earth to extract oil and gas, but it is one of the toughest. Here, where storms kick up in minutes and unpredictable weather is a certainty, conditions are extraordinarily demanding. Extraction is dangerous and expensive, and the history of the North Sea is one of continuing development and technical innovation. The industry here has led the world since the 60s - largely because it had to.

WHITTAKER TODAY

We produce components at our original factory outside Stonehaven, where we now employ over 100 people.

Our team includes around six highly qualified design engineers and a full cohort of highly skilled fabricators, welders, machinists and mechanical fitters. We are very proud to continue Scotland’s tradition of precision engineering and manufacturing in an economy where making things is less prevalent than it was - we’re keeping valuable skills alive and at home in the UK. At any one time we have around a dozen apprentices - we take on five or six a year for a four-year Modern Apprenticeship - so we’re investing in the next generation of skilled workers.

We make mighty machines and components, but we remain a relatively small, family-run firm. So we’re extremely responsive and nimble. Our clients have access to the business owners at all times, and we can provide fast, effective responses to problems and opportunities.

Whittaker - Underwater Diver-Controlled Drilling Unit