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Amanda Jenkins Customer
Services Supervisor
When Amanda started as a teenage Administration Junior in 1991 every single piece
of equipment had its own pigeon hole containing its certification.
When equipment was going offshore it was Amanda’s job to photocopy documentation
by hand. Now it is produced from an electronic database at the press of a button
and Amanda is in charge of the customer service team.
“It has always been like a big family. The company is good to its staff
and the people you work with are friends rather than colleagues.” |
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Darren Mourre Regional
Manager – West Africa
Darren transferred to Premier in 2003 having previously worked for sister company
Workstrings in Canada.
In his role as Applications Engineer, he travelled extensively through Europe,
West Africa, the Middle East and CIS giving technical presentations at drilling
conferences and to clients. Now, as Regional Manager for West Africa, his focus
is developing the business in this area.
“It seems to be more than a job for those who work here. They want to see
the company succeed.” |
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Eddie Fowler Operations/Qhse
Manager
Eddie joined Premier three years ago and was drawn by the warmth and welcoming
atmosphere of the company and the challenge of being part of the team making
Premier the pivotal organisation for Superior to sell their services in the Eastern
Hemisphere.
He stresses that nothing is more important than safety in an industry where problems
with equipment offshore can be life threatening as well as costly.
“We take pride in delivering our equipment in the best possible condition
to minimise that risk.” |
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George McDonald & Jackie
Wallace Account Managers
Both halves of this popular double act have worked their way up through
the company, and the knowledge they have gleaned – during more than
half a century of service between them – is vital in their role.
In 2000, after almost 25 years’ service, Jackie took time out from
Premier, ‘to see if the grass was greener’.
“It didn’t match up to Premier so when I was given the chance to
return a year ago I didn’t have to think twice about it.”
On their role as account managers, George comments: “We are at the
sharp end but, to be honest, we don’t get a lot of flak because our
service is good.”
“We not only have quality equipment but also the experience to back it
up,” adds Jackie. |
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Gordon Hay Warehouse
Supervisor
Gordon started with Premier in 1978 and is the company’s longest serving
employee.
The David Bowie haircut he had when Bob Smith recruited him has changed but the
job has remained surprisingly similar.
“Then, as now, the customers were always in a rush. We used to get called
out several times a night in those days. Companies would hire a helicopter just
to send one piece of equipment to a rig but that doesn’t happen now.”
“The hours have changed though. When I started, the days were long and
we got a half day on a Saturday because most of us played football. We also looked
forward to Sundays because we got a long lie – we didn’t start until
8am!” |
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Graham Berry Director – Middle
East
Graham joined the company in 2002, having spent more than 30 years working in
the oil and gas industry both in the UK and internationally.
“Since moving to Dubai in 2004 I’ve seen our business in the area
increase significantly. As well as the UAE, we are active throughout the Middle
East – not forgetting Egypt and CIS – and are also looking to expand
into South East Asia, which will be an exciting challenge for the team in 2007.
“We are highly regarded by our clients and known throughout the industry
for our quality.” |
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Leigh Cruickshank & Kathleen
Stewart Accounts Assistants
Kathleen’s service goes back to 1981, just before the move from Waterloo
Quay to the company’s present site at Dyce. She was taken on as a receptionist,
but has gone on to fill several different posts before settling in the finance
department.
“I left in 1988 for the birth of my daughter Lisa and returned part time
the following year. I really enjoy working for Premier, everyone is very friendly.”
That’s a view shared by newcomer Leigh, “I moved from another oil
service company because I wasn’t busy enough. Here the time flies by – I
am really enjoying it.” |
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Bill Joss,
Chris Robbie, John Sutherland & Dave Robb Pipeyard
Having worked together as a team for the past year, the pipeyard crew are a dynamic
quartet at the heart of the business, with their responsibilities including despatch,
receipt and cleaning of the tubular inventory.
“Fast turnaround of equipment is important for our business, as is advance
knowledge of what’s coming back in from clients and planning what’s
going out. We make a good team and work well together, which helps get the job
done,” comments Chris.
“In addition to the constant demands on us for pipe, there are always the
freezing temperatures in winter and nesting seagulls in summer to contend with!” remarks
John. |
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Brian Low Operations
Manager, The Netherlands
Brian started as a Service Technician at the Great Yarmouth base then moved to
the Netherlands in 2004 where he manages Premier’s facility in Emmen.
“We come up against stiff competition in Continental Europe, but overcome
this with the quality of our equipment and the service we provide. Clients realise
that we can offer a better, more responsive service and the signs for the future
are good: We are gaining an increasing amount of work by word of mouth, and there
can be no better recommendation.” |
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Keith Cartney & Martin
Croll Workshop Supervisor & Trainee
Service Technician
Keith has been with the company for four years and has been mentoring Martin
during his apprenticeship.
Martin has been learning how to service and maintain the tubular and casing handling
equipment, to ensure it is in perfect condition for its next rental.
“With so many different tools it’s a lot to take in, but Martin is
doing a great job,” comments Keith.
Martin is enthusiastic about Premier: “It’s a great company to work
for. I joined Premier after being put forward by Aberdeen College and have enjoyed
every minute since.” |
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Sarah Forbes IT
Manager
Since joining the company in 2005, Sarah has implemented three new, integrated
computer systems for finance, asset tracking and inspection & certification.
“Recently the company’s technology has advanced in leaps and bounds.
We have always had people at the helm who appreciate the importance of technology
and Superior has really pushed that forward.
“We are an international company but have that family feel; it’s
nice to be involved with something big but also to walk down the corridor and
know everyone’s names.” |
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Stan Smith OCTG/Rotary
Tool Inspector
Stan started off as a Trainee Inspector 27 years ago, checking for tiny cracks
in equipment, invisible to the naked eye, that could be catastrophic if they
were allowed to lead to an equipment failure.
“In those days we went out and about to our customers’ pipe yards,
not only locally, but also in England, Sweden and France. We had a blanket we
threw over our heads to make it dark enough for the inspection and we held the
UV lamp underneath. It was uncomfortable and cold and I don’t miss that!” |
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John Turner Rental
Co-ordinator
John joined Premier after moving to Aberdeen 16 years ago.
“I started on the shop floor, labouring, and have progressed through the
company.
“I was pleased to be given the opportunity to work in various roles as
I didn’t know what I was capable of doing. I worked as a Service Technician,
then in despatch and when they employed apprentices, I took them for their first
six weeks of training.
“In my current job I deal with customer enquiries and orders, and my experience
in different departments is a great benefit. I enjoy it immensely.” |
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Colin Cooper Operations
Manager
Now in his seventh year with the company, Colin has over 30 years’ experience
in the industry, specialising in OCTG inspection, repairs and manufacturing.
“As the business has internationalised, one of my jobs is looking after
tubulars on major contracts scattered around the world – Europe, Africa
and the Middle East.
“Every piece of equipment we have is inspected and maintained to the very
highest internationally recognised standards and we have our own inspection division,
which is all part of our policy of high quality and reliability.
“Superior has enabled us to stay one step ahead of the competition by investing
in the latest technology: We have pipe with the very best high torque connections
and in pipe grades no one else has.” |
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Seumas McCann Operations
Supervisor, Nigeria
When Seumas started work for Sea Oil Homco – as the company was then known
in 1984 – he was employed to service the drilling jars.
“From jars I moved onto working on the casing handling equipment and over
the years I’ve been fortunate to travel overseas to work. For the past
two and a half years I’ve been rotating to our base in Port Harcourt, which
is very different from working in Aberdeen and can be very challenging at times.
I have made a lot of friends and met some great characters in my time, long may
it continue!” |
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Lynne Spencer & Jenny
Gillespie Reception
“Premier recognises the combined efforts of all their employees are vital
for its continued growth and success,” comments Lynne. Having recently
completed a Business Administration qualification Jenny adds, “It’s
good that the company is keen to encourage ongoing learning and development throughout
the organisation.” |
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Doug Farquhar Drilling
Engineer
“When I was studying for my MSc in Oil & Gas Engineering, I didn’t
think I would end up working for a rental company! I really enjoy it because
no two days are the same; it ranges from analysing well plans to demonstrating
drill pipe running procedures to drilling crews offshore Nigeria.” |
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George Murray OCTG/Rotary
Tool Inspector
“Twenty-five years ago I was given the opportunity to join Premier as a
trainee and haven’t looked back. I believe Premier’s standards are
the best in the industry. As a rental company if we were not top notch customers
then would not come back – but they do.” |
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Martin Bullen Operations
Manager,
Great Yarmouth
“I work with a terrific team in Great Yarmouth. It’s great when clients
contact me to say how well the staff have responded to a call out late at night,
how helpful they have been on the telephone and how quickly equipment has been
delivered.” |
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Gary Chalmers Rotary
Tool Inspector
“It is a very good company to work for – there is a good atmosphere
and it’s small enough that everyone knows each other.” |
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Vicki Murray Rental
Administrator
“We’re a lot busier now than we were when I started at Premier in
2001, especially with shipping equipment overseas. We are a very busy department
but our new asset hiring system helps us get the job done more efficiently.” |
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Ged Wallace Service
Technician
“With over 25 years’ service, I still look back with fond memories
to when I started in 1981 and 18 hour days starting at 4am were not uncommon.
Bob Smith was in charge in those days and he was a great gaffer – hard
but fair.” |
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