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Jobs boost as Aberdeenshire safety firm Blaze fires up new strategy

New operations director Stuart White, business development director Ann Johnson and managing director Howard Johnson of Blaze Manufacturing Solutions.
New operations director Stuart White, business development director Ann Johnson and managing director Howard Johnson of Blaze Manufacturing Solutions.

Blaze Manufacturing Solutions has taken on a dozen new staff to meet a pipeline of major contracts as a revamped global strategy is kicked into gear.

The Laurencekirk-based provider of fire safety products and services said it had secured a stream of new work in the nuclear, renewables and industrial sectors, while also cementing its position in its traditional oil and gas market.

It follows a six-figure investment from Aberdeen company Balmoral Group in 2019, in return for a majority stake in the business, and a revised strategy.

The latter has seen the company focus on delivering “greater added value” while providing equipment to detect, prevent and protect high-risk assets from fire incidents.

Job creation

The new work has led to the creation of 12 full-time jobs, with “more expected to follow”.

Recent deals for work stretching into the next decade include multimillion-pound projects in the nuclear sector and international clean energy projects.

Meanwhile, Blaze is continuing to support oil and gas clients with asset life extensions and downstream work.

Blaze Manufacturing husband-and-wife team Howard and Ann Johnson, managing director and finance director respectively.

Business development director Ann Johnson said the company hoped its “ambitious” strategy would continue to drive growth locally and internationally.

“It is the depth of our expertise, particularly in reference to fire safety systems, that differentiates our engineering and design teams from any other fire protection manufacturer in the world,” she added.

“We are an independent company and are not tied to any specific component manufacturers. We always provide the optimum solution and are not constrained in any way regarding our project partners.”

Blaze is owned by Balmoral Group, led by north-east entrepreneur Jim Milne.

Blaze recently hired Stuart White as operations director, refreshed its branding to show off its diverse offerings and launched a new website.

Mr White, a qualified chartered accountant, joined the Aberdeenshire company after a successful career in the financial services sector, as well as time spent in energy logistics and construction engineering.

Balmoral chairman and managing director Jim Milne said: “Since our investment, Blaze has been expanding its global reach and the company’s reputation for quality and service is ever-growing.

“We believe Stuart’s appointment and the new branding reflect the company’s ambition and highlight its unique business model and capabilities.”

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