A WELDING and fabrication firm is targeting new sectors to build on its oil and gas pedigree.

QA Weld Tech has revealed ambitions to gain a stronger foothold in the petrochemical, rail, marine, nuclear, power generation and valve and pump industries.

Bosses at the business, based in Middlesbrough, say the expansion will provide opportunities to build its order book, which already includes a host of international projects.

Charles Tighe, founder and managing director, said its repute with energy sector operators, including Total, BP and Shell, means it stands well-placed to grow into new areas.

The company, which occupies a number of workshops on the Riverside Park Industrial Estate, previously supplied hundreds of pipeline connectors to a Congolese oil field and further equipment for an Angolan oil development.

However, Mr Tighe said the business is now ready to take its next step.

He said: “Three years ago, we put in place a strategy that has seen us invest heavily in facilities and personnel, developing our management team and systems.

“This has produced a more rounded company with a skill set that transfers readily across many industrial sectors.

“We have maintained a very strong position in the oil and gas market and continue to be awarded, and successfully deliver, several major contracts to this sector.

“On the back of these, now is the absolute right time to use these wins as a springboard into new markets, where we know, like the oil and gas sector, we can lead the market with our engineering services.”

Mr Tighe said his confidence was borne out of a number of factors, including his business’ prowess, which covers project management, inspection and testing operations, and includes facilities such as shot blasting, clean condition welding, fabrication, CNC machining and pressure testing.

He also said it has developed more than 650 fully-approved welding procedures for various applications.

He added: “We are an innovative and forward thinking company and this is how we want to be positioned and recognised in our new sectors.

“Not only do we deliver firstclass solutions, our world-class team of qualified welding engineers, coded welders and experienced fabricators and machinists have the ability to think outside of the box to deliver robust solutions.”