Scottish specialist SAP consultancy Absoft is opening its first international office, with the creation of a new base in Stavanger, Norway as it pursues an aggressive growth strategy in the Scandinavian oil exploration and production hub.
Absoft – which already works with a host of international blue chip companies – aims to secure significant new business in the energy sector in the region.
The company works with energy firms worldwide, with significant interests and experience across the North Sea (UK, Norway and Dutch sectors), North and South America and the Far East.
Absoft is consolidating this internationalisation process by formalising its presence in Norway due to its close proximity to the UK and similarities in the way the industry and business operates, with the expansion aimed at capturing additional market share with potential yield this year in the region of £2 million and consistent growth thereafter.
The company has taken office space at Forus Business Park, Royneberg, close to the city’s international airport and in the heart of Stavanger’s main commercial district, and will deliver services to its client base initially from its core staff in the UK, on secondment to Norway.
The move marks a second major step forward for Absoft’s expansion plan and follows the company’s first acquisition, of English firm Hexarus Consulting earlier in 2012, to meet growing demand from clients for support in the delivery of improved reporting and business planning and forecasting capabilities.
Don Valentine, operations director and head of Absoft’s energy practice, says: “With a very specific company focus on growth in Norway, opening an office in Stavanger was a natural progression for us and we are very pleased to have secured space in a major location for the energy business in Scandinavia.
“Initially we will service the office and business development work in the region from our extensive expertise pool at our headquarters in Aberdeen, with a view to recruiting in Norway when we achieve our first additional contract wins.
“Given the level of activity still evident throughout the Norwegian sector in tandem with the UKCS North sea, we hope to capitalise on opportunities to assist companies across the sector as they look to enhance their operations and rationalise their systems and performance.”
Absoft will hold its first oil and gas supply chain forum in Stavanger on September 11, founded on the back of similar events held in the UK to provide operators and oilfield service companies using SAP with expert insight and a chance to raise issues they face in their business systems.
The firm plans to continue to engage with the market through further events, in addition to its presence on the ground in Norway.
Absoft has an existing staff of 110, with plans to grow its specialist team to 175 over the next three years.
