Sparrows Group lands defence sector project

Engineering and maintenance services specialist Sparrows Group has inked a deal to support a dockyard in the south west of England. This is the company’s first large project in the defence sector.  

Sparrows has been contracted to design, code, install and test control system upgrades for seven dock cranes. The goal is to “significantly futureproof the assets, ensuring the reliability and safety of operations at the base,” the company said. 

As part of the scope of work, the Programmable Logic Controller and Human Machine Interfaces software will be upgraded and all variable speed drives will be replaced. Three of the cranes will also be given new crane cabs.  

Stewart Mitchell, Sparrows CEO, said, “We see great potential in the defence sector where lifting operations is a safety critical element of any facility. Our latest technology and reliable systems c

Sparrows Group will upgrade the crane systems on port cranes at the Devonport Naval Dockyard in Southwest England.

an successfully extend the lifespan of a crane which is vital for ensuring defence lifting operations run smoothly without any costly delays. Sparrows has over 45 years’ experience maintaining, refurbishing and upgrading cranes and their systems. Our track record of high-quality of work in oil and gas, industrial and renewables sectors has enabled us to secure this work and we’re thrilled to mark this as our largest defence contract. “The defence industry demands high standards of safety and reliability and we’ve already been working in the sector offering lifting and rigging related training to companies that are committed to ensuring the competency of their people.” 

 This project aligns with Sparrow’s diversification strategy which targets new industries for the business following its continued growth in the industrial, renewables and oil and gas sectors around the globe.  

The Sparrows Group is a global provider of specialist engineering, inspection, operations and maintenance services to the renewables, industrial and oil and gas markets.