(Pictured left to right): Laurens Oldenzeel, Head of Projects, Qlayers and Jim Collier, Operations Director, Denholm Industrial Services with a Qlayers mobile coatings robot.

Denholm Industrial Services, part of the Denholm Group, has formed a partnership with Qlayers to deploy its mobile coatings robots to projects in sectors including marine and tank storage.

Working in challenging environments, Denholm Industrial Services provides critical engineering support that enables the build and maintenance of power, infrastructure, and naval and commercial marine assets.

In partnership with Netherlands-based Qlayers, a leader in pioneering industrial coating application technologies, Denholm Industrial Services is investing in innovative solutions that deliver efficiencies to clients, enhance operative safety, improve project productivity and protect the environment.

Qlayers has developed advanced robotic systems for coating large industrial assets, including storage tanks and marine vessels. The company’s unique technology, a patented spray shielding system, significantly mitigates overspray, reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and microplastics emissions.

The technology also enhances efficiency and accelerates project timelines with the capability to apply multiple layers much faster than manual application.  Further savings are achieved through the robots’ automated coating method, which notably reduces overspray, resulting in paint savings of up to 50 percent.

In addition, its precision application method ensures consistent coating thickness, and the ability to deliver precise feathering between rows. The robots also improve site safety, significantly mitigating fall risks by reducing operative working hours at heights by 85 percent.

As part of the partnership, Denholm Industrial Services has secured exclusive rights to deploy Qlayers’ technologies in the UK marine sector and is already deployed across the UK.  The agreement will also enable Denholm Industrial Services to build its presence in the tank storage market.

Operative training took place following Denholm Industrial Services’ recent acquisition of a majority shareholding in Universal Coatings.  The acquisition has created a new company, Denholm Universal, and advanced training for operatives delivering the first UK marine project utilising Qlayers’ robotic coating technology took place at its 11,500 sq metre blast and coating facility on Teesside.

Steve Hill, Managing Director, Denholm Industrial Services, said: “This partnership with Qlayers is an essential component of our strategy to evolve the business’ capabilities through technology-led solutions, while increasing the diverse skills and competencies of our experienced operatives.

“Qlayers’ technology is truly groundbreaking for our industry and will deliver efficiency and productivity gains, alongside environmental enhancements, which are vitally important.

“This is another demonstration, following our recent acquisition to create Denholm Universal, of our intentions to provide greater and more comprehensive support for UK sectors such as marine and tank storage.  As well as now operating one of the largest coatings facilities in Britain, located on Teesside, we are also able to utilise innovative robotics coatings technology in the field.”

Josefien Groot, CEO, Qlayers, said: “We are proud to have partnered with Denholm Industrial Services. The company shares our vision to revolutionise our industry through the creation and application of innovative robotic technologies.

“Our robots represent a significant step forward in industrial coating technology and will add value to the contracts secured by Denholm Industrial Services.  Having delivered a comprehensive advanced training programme for its operatives, we are confident that we will see a strong pipeline of applications for our technologies through Denholm Industrial Services.”

Denholm Industrial Services is pleased to announce it has been awarded a multi-year contract from BAE Systems for surface preparation and painting of the new Type 26 Global Combat Ships for the Royal Navy.

The Type 26 frigate is an advanced, highly capable and versatile multi-mission anti-submarine warship.  Denholm Industrial Services’ expertise in surface preparation, its precision techniques in applying maritime-grade paint and its track record of delivering a quality product will enhance the performance of the protective coating and minimise through-life maintenance of the Type 26 frigates.

With the contract running for four years, Denholm Industrial Services has sought to invest in industry leading technology that will not only enhance delivery of a quality product to its customers, BAE Systems and the Royal Navy, but will greatly reduce the environmental impact that traditional work methods would have.  For example, custom built electrical-powered compressors will reduce to zero the emissions associated with traditional diesel-powered machines that normally would be used.

The painting contract will also benefit local communities through increased employment.  At its peak, Denholm Industrial Services will employ around 80 personnel to undertake this contract.  It is anticipated that a large percentage will be drawn from the local labour force, which has decades of experience in delivering high quality workmanship at the Govan and Scotstoun shipyards, where the Type 26 ships will be built.  Denholm Industrial Services is also a supporter of apprenticeships across its UK business and plans to add further apprentices to its workforce through this contract, as it seeks to provide invaluable work experience, training and career development to young people.

Denholm Industrial Services Managing Director, Steve Hill, said: “I am delighted that BAE Systems selected Denholm Industrial Services for surface preparation and painting of the first Type 26 frigates.  The contract award is testament to our track record of working on naval and combat vessels, which spans over two decades.  As well as our skills and methodologies, the approach and commitment of our employees to safety and quality will enable us to deliver this contract to a superior standard, while also seeking to benefit local communities. The Type 26 award further enhances our relationship with BAE Systems as we continue to support their submarine build programmes in Barrow-in-Furness.”

Ronan Donaghey, Senior Programme Manager, BAE Systems said: “We look forward to working together across this prestigious programme, which is an integral part of securing the UK’s future in ship building and advancing the Royal Navy’s defence capabilities.”

Two of the Batch 1 Type 26 ships, which will be named HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff, are already under construction with the third, HMS Belfast, commencing next year.  A total class of eight Type 26 frigates is intended, with the planned Batch 2 ships being named  HMS Birmingham, HMS Sheffield, HMS Newcastle, HMS Edinburgh and HMS London.

Photo credit: BAE Systems