ATR Group is expanding into new markets throughout the UK, including a push into the downstream oil and gas sector as well as marine operations, after investing £2m in new plant and equipment.

The North Sea tool rental market-leader, headquartered in Aberdeen, is securing its position in the UK by extending its geographical reach into central Scotland and working to grow its business in England.

ATR chief executive, Robert Skidmore, said: "We have invested more than £2m in new plant and equipment including generators, compressors and zone rated equipment, as well as consumable stock, to ensure that our fleet meets the needs of a growing and demanding rental market.

"The addition of downstream facilities including land-based refineries, such as St Fergus and Mossmorran, to our portfolio of clients along with involvement in the north-east England region where a high volume of downstream work originates, completes the circle in terms of our work with the oil and gas industry - we have been heavily involved in the offshore stage of the process since our inception."

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ATR has further strengthened its UK-based operations with the addition of highly-experienced technical sales specialist John Richardson to lead business development in central Scotland and England.

Mr Richardson, 49, has extensive experience of engineering and fabrication both in sales and operations, having worked throughout northern England and also overseas during a career spanning more than 20 years.

ATR Group is the market leader in the rental of specialised tools and equipment for the offshore oil and gas industry maintenance market, operating throughout the North Sea and UKCS, Caspian region.

The group expanded into the provision of lifting services with the acquisition of Bridon International's Baku and Aberdeen lifting operations, and its companies continue to grow in the global oil and gas marketplace. The firm operates an integrated quality management system, featuring ISO:9001 accreditation across all group companies.

ATR Group was acquired by Keith Moorhouse and Robert Skidmore in a deal supported by Aberdeen Asset Managers and RBS Structured Finance in June 2007. Since then its turnover has risen from £14m to more than £18m and its workforce has grown by more than 30%.

(GK/JM)