A WELDING and fabrication firm aims to forge new Scandinavian links as bosses ramp up expansion plans.

QA Weld Tech is targeting work across the oil and gas sector in Norway and Denmark.

The plan comes after it was awarded an industry certificate marking it as a verified supplier on the Achilles Joint Qualification System (JQS).

It also follows a blueprint set out by officials just last month, which focused on securing work in nontraditional sectors, such as the petrochemical, rail, marine and nuclear industries.

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

Launched in 1991, the JQS community was created to ease the procurement process in the oil and gas sector and acts as a supplier register and pre-qualification system.

Used by Norwegian and Danish companies, including BP and Conoco Phillips, it manages risk and ensures suppliers meet industry requirements.

Andrew Dean, business development manager, said Scandinavia represents a natural growth area for the firm, with its international experience, which has seen it supply hundreds of pipeline connectors to a Congolese oil field and further equipment for an Angolan oil development, emphasis of its existing global repute.

He said: “There have been some very large and exciting discoveries made over the last few years in both Norway and Denmark and we would very much like to play a role in delivering our leading welding and fabrication services on these major developments.

“Being registered as a verified supplier, we have demonstrated that we have the capabilities to meet the specified requirements and we are a trusted and compliant supplier.

“Recognised as the biggest oil producing country in Europe, Norway is very much a major hub for oil and gas activity.

“As the nearest export market to the North-East, it makes sense for us to be bidding for and delivering work in these areas.”

Last month, officials at the company, which occupies a number of workshops on Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park Industrial Estate, said they wanted to target new sectors to build on its oil and gas pedigree.

Bosses are looking to gain a stronger foothold in the petrochemical, rail, marine, nuclear, power generation and valve and pump industries, with Charles Tighe, founder and managing director, saying its repute with energy sector operators leaves it well-placed to grow.

He added: “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 we can lead the market with our engineering services.”