The purpose built cable layup machine, designed for short power cables, will be used for the marine renewable sector. The new machine can produce cables up to 110mm in diameter increasing the company’s current capability by 61mm. This increased capacity also allows cable runs for current subsea bundles of up to 10,000m depending on the component diameters.
“The new equipment will enable us to increase our capabilities as it will allow us to make cables of a higher technical specification,” said Hydro Group managing director, Doug Whyte. “Our scope of work to the buoyant and rapidly growing renewable market will increase. The majority of projects require dynamic optical power cables that we were previously unable to manufacture. In the past we had to subcontract or limit our scope of supply, now we will be able to provide supply the complete solution.”
Last year the company said it was turning down one in every five enquiries, losing 20% of potential orders. Thanks to the investment in this new equipment they expect to increase turnover by 20%.
