Blaze Manufacturing Solutions (Blaze), a Balmoral Group company and provider of fire safety systems to the global energy industry, has announced an order intake of more than £10m over the past year, resulting in a 20% increase in headcount at its Laurencekirk headquarters.

The company has been looking to expand due to a transition strategy focused on sector diversification and international growth. In the past 12 months, Blaze has secured projects across both Europe and the Middle East, and 70% of intake has been in the renewables sector. In line with its diversification, it has also recently received Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) and FIRAS certification, supporting work in the industrials space.

In renewables, the company has secured key contracts including a recent integrated maintenance partnership awarded by Ørsted, covering fire protection and detection on nine North Sea offshore wind assets, including Hornsea 1 and 2, for the next five years. The deal covers inert gas systems, compressed air foam, water mist and all detection including control systems.

Stuart White, operations director at Blaze, said: “We are immensely proud of Blaze's remarkable growth and the strides we have made in the renewables sector. Our team's dedication and expertise have been pivotal in securing significant contracts and certifications, which not only enhance our service offering but also solidify our position as leaders in fire safety solutions.

“The expansion of our workforce and the addition of key personnel underscore our commitment to innovation and excellence. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum and continue delivering exceptional quality and value to our clients worldwide."

As part of its recruitment drive, the company has appointed Greg Carnie as technical director and Sandy McCarthy as commercial manager, alongside newly promoted fire safety manager George Stephen. The company plans to continue recruiting during 2024.