A FAMILY-OWNED engineering firm, which helped lay the foundations for a major North-East windfarm powering 40,000 homes, says its wants to continue its rapid growth by expanding in the burgeoning offshore energy industry.

Marske Site Services (MSS), in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, fitted foundation protection on the 27-turbine Teesside wind farm, off the Redcar coast, and is now increasing its research and development centre to stay at the forefront of the growing UK market.

Founded in 1964, MSS is part of the Marske Machine Group (MMC), employing about 200 people, and provides manufacturing, management and technical services to the marine, offshore and oil and gas industries.

It dropped about 7,000 tonnes of rock in Japanese-made nets from Sherburn, County Durham, on to the seabed next to wind turbine monopiles at Redcar to stop erosion, and says it hopes the project, coupled with similar work in Grimsby and North Wales, will be the catalyst to maintain its success.

John McCullagh, MMC director, said: “The business is constantly growing, our heart and roots remain in the North-East, and we are very proud of that.

“The offshore sector has seen big opportunities for growth and we are seeing it pay dividends.

“However, you have to make sure you don't take you're eye of the ball and the quickly changing environment, which is why we are investing in research and development to give us that great competitive edge.

“The opportunities are enormous and our strength comes from our diversity in projects, ability to supply skilled workers for jobs and product development.

“Our specialist welding process means we can wrap around the foundations and give it a thermal element to carry on protection work, despite the effects of the tide, and our rock bags are more flexible and less vulnerable, lasting the life of the wind farm.”

Mr McCullagh said it was vitally important the firm continued its research and development of products in a market fast becoming saturated.

He said: “Many companies have managed without the offshore energy industry before, but there is now an opportunity like we've not had for innovation, growth, employment and development.

“If you are in engineering and you cannot take advantage of the chances being presented, then it will be a real pity.

“We are all sharing in this new world and by harnessing this energy in Teesside, there is an awful lot of good that can be done.”