confidently stepping into 2026 after an exciting year

As we reach the end of 2025, I’ve been reflecting on just how far AJT Engineering Limited has come in a short space of time. It’s been a year of hard work, honest graft, and big decisions, the kind of year that reminds me why I’m so proud to lead this company and the people who make it what it is.

We’ve taken important steps to modernise the business, diversify what we do, and make sure we’re not just keeping up with the times, but moving confidently with them. Our brand refresh was a big part of that. It wasn’t just a new look, it was a statement of intent. We’re still deeply committed to our traditional oil and gas customers, but we’re also carving out our place in the renewables sector, through our AJT Energy Site Services Division where engineering skill and practical know‑how matter more than ever.

Securing Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) status was a standout moment for us this year, and one I’m especially proud of. It’s a rigorous programme, and achieving it shows just how far we’ve come in strengthening our systems, raising our standards, and proving that AJT is ready to play a meaningful role in the offshore renewables sector. For me, it’s more than an accreditation; it’s a clear sign that the hard work across the business is paying off, and that our commitment to diversifying and modernising the company is being recognised at an industry level.

Innovation has been at the heart of our progress this year. Our work with BlackFish on the C‑DART mooring buoy: Rapid, Reliable and Low Risk, has gathered real momentum, and the 50-tonne load commercial demonstration model we’re preparing for 2026 is something I’m genuinely excited about. Seeing that technology on its way to Saudi Arabia and the UAE next year will be a proud moment for everyone involved.

Likewise, our collaboration with Clydeside on the Downhole Tooling is moving into a crucial phase, with testing in Canada scheduled for January 2026. If all goes to plan, and I’ve every confidence it will, we’ll be in a strong position to take it to market. A remarkable achievement in getting this through all TRL stages in 6 months.

Inside the business, we’ve made changes that will serve us well for years to come. Fabrication is now its own division, and the reorganisation of our facilities has already made a noticeable difference. Site Services has completed its first full year in its new home, and the feedback from the team has been brilliant. When people tell you they feel more efficient, more supported, and more able to do their best work, you know you’ve made the right call.

We’ve also delivered some excellent work this year, including the first gate and overbridge installed at Glenlocher river barrage, a project that will continue into 2026 with two more gates and overbridges to come, and the completion of Rannoch Power Station, a major milestone that involved every division of the business. These projects are the kind of work that shows what AJT does best: practical engineering, delivered with care, skill, and pride.

One of the things that gives me the most satisfaction is seeing our people grow. We now have seven apprentices, with three more joining us next year, and two graduates who will be fully qualified in 2026. Investing in young talent isn’t just good business, it’s part of who we are. It keeps the spirit of engineering alive.

As our international reach expands, we’re also looking at new ways to support our work overseas, including utilising a hot desk in Abu Dhabi. With the Middle East becoming an increasingly important region for us, having a physical presence will make a significant difference.