Huws Gray Group company PDM has strengthened its relationship with Emtec Utility Services having confirmed a significant new contract for an infrastructure project in the North of Scotland.
Emtec Utility Services, a leading ICP (independent connection provider) and part of the Emtec Group, has been commissioned to work on the Ardersier Port energy transition facility in the Moray Firth, which is being developed as a nationally significant infrastructure facility to support the offshore wind industry. Indeed, Ardersier Port is reportedly the largest brownfield port in the United Kingdom and is a former North Sea oil and gas fabrication yard.
PDM will partner with Emtec to supply cable protection systems, electric cable ducting coils and detectable warning tapes, amongst other specialist solutions, as part of its work to deliver essential electrical infrastructure to the project. The appointment of PDM follows an earlier collaboration between the two companies on a solar farm project in Cheshire for a major global energy firm.
Josh Martin, Managing Director at Emtec Utility Services said: “We chose to partner with PDM on this significant infrastructure project for several reasons. The team’s geographical footprint across Scotland and levels of stock held were important – not least of all as there’s a branch in Inverness nearby to Ardersier Port. The wider access to other parts of the Huws Gray group of companies further supported this.
“The strength of our relationship with PDM is also really important. We can be assured that they provide sound guidance on the most appropriate product to use and are always quick to find solutions for us.”
Speaking on behalf of PDM, Managing Director Eddie Hernon commented: “There is a growing urgency to move away from fossil fuels, and it is, therefore, fantastic to be building a positive working relationship with Emtec, as they grow their reputation in this area.
“The PDM team has worked hard to ensure it has a thorough appreciation of Emtec’s needs, and alongside this has developed long-term partnerships with key manufacturers so that we can provide clients with a clear understanding of the suitability of different products depending on the application.”
Eddie continued: “The Ardersier Port energy transition facility is a project of huge significance to the offshore wind sector, and it is our hope that we can further our partnership with Emtec Utility Services to work with them on more renewable energy projects in the future.”
PDM has started on-site deliveries to Emtec with immediate effect. Emtec Utility Services’ work on Phase One at Ardersier Port will continue throughout 2025, and it is hoped that this will be extended on future phases of the project.
Huws Gray equips next generation with additional tools
Huws Gray has also demonstrated its commitment to the next generation of tradespeople, having donated kits of additional tools to 35 apprentices who are training with Mears Group, a leading provider of housing maintenance services.
The two companies have a long-standing partnership that extends over 15 years, during which time Huws Gray has supported Mears and the North Lanarkshire Council on the delivery of its housing maintenance contract for North Lanarkshire. That relationship extended into supporting the annual cohort of apprentices eight years ago and has continued ever since.
Eddie Hernon, MD at PDM Huws Gray, said: “Our long-standing partnership with Mears and the council is something Huws Gray is very proud of. We recognise that to successfully deliver housing maintenance, management and servicing work for a local authority such as North Lanarkshire, there needs to not only be a reliable supply chain partner such as ourselves, but also a highly trained workforce.
“They have clearly demonstrated their commitment to investing in apprentices each year, so our donation of these kits is an ideal way of supporting that commitment.”
The apprentices cover a range of skilled trade areas including joinery, electricals, plumbing, bricklaying, plastering and heating. The kits that apprentices have received contain various additional tools which enhance the apprentices access to learning.
