New engineering group including drone specialists could create 1,000 UK jobs

A new engineering and technology group including a company with one of the world’s biggest drone fleets could create up to 1,000 jobs in the UK.

Combining Texo Drone – which claims to own and operate the world’s most “comprehensive and dynamic” drone fleet – with five other divisions, Texo Group aims to become the leading inspection, engineering and technology services provider for the energy sector and other critical infrastructure. 

The business will be headquartered in a purpose-built facility in Westhill, Aberdeen, with factories in Dundee, and Hebburn and Blyth in North East England. The group will also have overseas drone operating bases in Nigeria, Malaysia and Brazil.

The group will focus on services for sectors including oil and gas, renewable energy, marine, nuclear, telecommunications, utilities and other civil infrastructure. 

“Texo Group combines decades of experience and expertise in technology, engineering and industrial services, together with significant capital investment,” said John Wood, chief operations officer. 

He added: “Challenging the status-quo and looking at new processes and technologies to help clients operate, manage and extend the safe working life of their assets is something that is in our DNA.”

The news follows significant job cuts at engineering giants including Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, and threats of further cuts from companies including Airbus over Brexit issues.