Subsea technology firms Rovco and Vaarst have merged to become Beam, with the company undertaking a recruitment drive in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The merger comes as the company continues a major recruitment drive aiming to hire over 150 roles across the UK, including 100 at its Aberdeen and Edinburgh offices. Beam also said it is aiming to recruit an additional 50 positions worldwide, including 25 roles in the United States and 10 in Asia.

A New Era in Offshore Wind

The merger of Rovco and Vaarst marks a significant moment in the offshore wind industry, bringing together two companies with complementary expertise in subsea AI, computer vision, sonar, and autonomous advanced robotics. The combined company, Beam, is poised to revolutionize the industry by delivering innovative automation technologies that can help make offshore wind more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.

The Driving Force Behind the Merger

Brian Allen, the founder of both Rovco and Vaarst, will continue as CEO of Beam. He emphasizes the need to make offshore wind cost-competitive with oil and gas, a crucial step in transitioning away from fossil fuels. Allen states that “piecemeal policymaking, supply chain issues and the rising workforce shortage have created hurdles in the green energy transition and fuelled a continued reliance on oil and gas.”

He adds that “It’s never been more important to find ways to cut costs and project timelines.” This merger, under a united brand, provides Beam with a unique position in the industry, offering a comprehensive suite of subsea technologies. The combined company is poised to become a dominant force in the offshore wind sector.

Global Expansion and Recruitment

Beam's ambitions extend beyond just merging operations. The company is actively seeking to expand its global reach, with plans to hire over 150 new employees across the UK, including 100 at its Aberdeen and Edinburgh offices. The company is also looking to recruit an additional 50 positions worldwide, including 25 in the United States and 10 in Asia. This aggressive recruitment drive reflects Beam's commitment to building a world-class team that can help drive innovation and deliver on its ambitious goals.

A Shared Mission: Making Offshore Wind More Efficient

The combined company, Beam, continues its goal of helping the offshore wind sector “become more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective”. This shared mission will see the company focus on research, development, and deployment of AI-enabled services in the survey and subsea sector. By integrating their expertise, the company aims to provide innovative automation technologies that deliver efficiencies and reduced costs for survey and subsea work across all lifecycle stages. Beam will be the only company in the world with this unique combination of subsea AI, computer vision, sonar, and autonomous advanced robotics, paving the way for a new era in offshore wind energy.

A Bold Step Towards a Sustainable Future

The merger of Rovco and Vaarst to form Beam is a testament to the growing importance of the offshore wind industry. By combining their expertise and resources, the company is poised to play a key role in making offshore wind a more viable and cost-competitive source of energy. As Beam expands its operations and recruits new talent, it will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and contribute to the global transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. The combined company will continue to focus on providing cutting-edge technology and services to the offshore wind industry, ensuring a more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective energy transition.

A New Era Begins

This merger is a pivotal moment for the offshore wind industry, signifying a new era of innovation and collaboration. Beam’s combined expertise, global reach, and ambitious growth plans promise to drive significant advancements in the field. With its commitment to cost-effectiveness and efficiency, Beam is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the global energy landscape.

The future of offshore wind is bright, and Beam is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.