GLACIER Energy Services has underlined the recovering confidence it is observing in the North Sea oil and gas industry by unveiling its second acquisition in less than five months.

The Aberdeen-based energy services group has snapped up Rotherham-based Whiteley Read, which manufactures pressure vessels and packaged equipment for the oil and gas markets, for an undisclosed sum. Whiteley Read had been owned by Stainless Metalcraft, whose decision to sell marks the completion of the turnaround strategy it put in place in December 2016.

Glacier has taken on 30 staff in Rotherham as a result of the deal. And it said it was now planning to move its 16 employees at its existing Birmingham base to Whiteley Read’s purpose-built engineering plant in Rotherham. It expects to complete the move in January. Scott Martin, executive chairman at Glacier, said: “We are currently working with all employees of Glacier’s Birmingham facility to ensure that this move is completed in coordination and with total transparency.”

The Whiteley Read deal comes after Glacier acquired Aberdeen Radiators in July. Mr Martin said Glacier is keen on further deals. “We are committed to growing the business and our recent acquisitions are symptomatic of the increased confidence and optimism we’re experiencing across the oil and gas and extended energy sector,” he said.