Alu Design has signed an initial two-year framework agreement with Oceaneering, a world leader in providing specialised oilfield engineering products and services, for the supply of an advanced, newly developed operator chair. Christened Commander, the high-specification chair has been designed to meet NORSOK S-002 and other stringent international standards.
The Kristiansand, Norway-based business, an established name in the chair and deck rails design and manufacturing segment, will now be marketing Commander to leading names throughout the maritime and energy industries. Crafted from lightweight yet robust aluminium, the chair has been developed to offer users the optimum in comfort, durability and functionality. Its adherence to NORSOK S-002 ensures it meets rigorous requirements regarding ergonomic and operational standards.
“Although this is a completely new concept, our agreement with Oceaneering means that it will quickly make its mark on the sector, providing the best possible working environment for users,” comments Frank Robertsen, Alu Design’s Marketing Director.
“ROV (Remote Operated Vehicles) operation is a key business area for Oceaneering, and Commander is perfect for this market. Its conformance with NORSOK ensures that it provides outstanding ergonomic performance, which is essential when you are piloting one of these vehicles for shifts of up to, and beyond, 12 hours.”
Einar Ulrichsen, Alu Design’s CEO, believes the framework agreement provides an excellent foundation for the development of the chair, and should lead to Oceaneering taking upwards of 50 units a year.
He notes: “Commander has been designed with our trademark focus on manufacturing quality, user comfort, flexibility and value for money. It is also highly adaptable and, with a switch of the armrests, can be customised for users such as, for example, crane or drill operators. That, and the fact that it always conforms to NORSOK’s requirements, makes it an compelling addition to the marketplace.”
Kirsti Meling, Senior Purchaser at Oceaneering, says the chair is ideally suited to the requirements of ROV operators. She notes: “Piloting ROVs is uniquely demanding. The skill, expertise and focus needed to ‘fly’ these underwater units is immense, especially in adverse conditions, which are often the norm in operational areas such as the North Sea. This means the operator’s working environment has to be equipped to provide maximum comfort and functionality, allowing the pilot to concentrate on the task at hand. The Commander chair will ensure this, while adhering to NORSOK S-002 ergonomic requirements.
“We’re looking forward to introducing the new chairs into control rooms and containers for our ROV Pilots as soon as possible.”
The framework agreement marks the first time Alu Design has worked with Oceaneering. The first chair is scheduled for delivery in early 2014.
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