Elite Interiors Ltd

Insider knowledge

UK-based Elite Interiors Ltd was first founded in 1998, and is a leading premier supplier and installer of Altro material solutions, including a complete range ofhygienic wall finishes, floor coverings, ceiling systems, and door sets for all kinds of industries and locations.

Following an enquiry, and from working closely with Santa Fe many years ago when the company also branched out into the offshore market, it provides comprehensive accommodation refurbishment services. Whether the project is a new build, or upgrade of existing premises, Elite Interiors’ expertise and knowledge of Altro products enables it to provide installations that not only have a long lifecycle but also conform to the latest HSE and hygiene legislations.

Given the harsh weather conditions of many offshore locations, demand for safe and hygienic accommodation, which is comfortable and pleasant for personnel to use over long periods, is uniformly high. Expanding upon Elite Interiors’ capabilities in this market, Jason Carter, director, says: “We offer full interior accommodation upgrades ranging from wet units, cabins, recreation rooms, mess rooms, galley upgrades with the option of servicing and replacement of catering equipment, gymnasiums/saunas and bespoke furniture. This applies right from the floor screeds to the wall panel linings, right through to the B15 or A60 rated doors, and the ceiling systems. We also provide a full bespoke service for office furniture.” All products used by Elite Interiors meet current health, safety, and fire regulations, as well as offshore industry specific legislation.

Alongside its more local UK market, Elite Interiors offers its services on an international basis, having completed projects in Denmark, Holland, Malta, and Tunisia in the past. At present the core of the company’s business is in the refurbishment of drilling installations through three of its main clients – Ensco, Transocean, and Stena Drilling. Recent examples of projects undertaken include wet unit and bedroom upgrades on the Ensco 80, and galley upgrade work, new catering equipment and freezers, mess room flooring and supply of furniture for the recreation rooms, on the Ensco 102. Additionally, the company has provided new corridor screeds and Amtico flooring and sauna on the Transcocean 704.

One of the key challenges facing the business is the logistics of undertaking this refurbishment work on an installation that is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sometimes these projects are carried out during a rig’s scheduled downtime for maintenance work and inspections, which benefits the clientby reducing any operational loss. At others, this work must be undertaken while a rig is on location and this requires Elite Interiors to work in with the clients’ different shift patterns to minimise any disruption to daily operations. This flexibility is a key capability of the company, as Jason highlights: “For offshore operators the biggest challenge is finding an opportunity to have the work carried out. Naturally if the rig is still operational, bed space is at a premium, therefore our tradesmen have to work very closely with our clients to minimise any disruption. Client needs such as these, combined with the actual practicality of carrying out this work on location, are key considerations for Elite Interiors when approaching projects in order to ensure a high quality and efficient service.”

At present Elite Interiors offers a one-stop-shop service for the supply and installation of these upgrade materials, and has the capability to carry out primary surveys in order to advise the most appropriate measures. In terms of progressing the business further, Elite Interiors is looking to expand beyond its current services into the supply of complete fitted modules units. “Much of our work is based around the modification or refurbishment of existing facilities, however we are now looking at moving into offering the full scope of works, from design to completion of the modules. At the moment, although we are able to advise clients ukon what we feel would be most suitable for their requirements, we don’t offer any in house design facilities within the business. In order to provide this complete service, Elite Interiors will be bringing this facility in-house,” explains Jason.

He concludes with how drawing on its current synergies to widen its business activities in this way, enables Elite Interiors to target a greater proportion of the offshore market: “We would like to progress and grow with the offshore market, and we are currently seeing a lot of rigs and installations reaching the lifecycle stage where operators are having to either refurbish them to meet new standards or look into replacing the complete accommodation. Our move to align the business with both sides of this market enables us to capitalise on this combined demand. Additionally, within the offshore industry there is also the growing wind farm market, which requires a similar scope of works to what we offer now, and with our extensive offshore experience we are well placed to service this sector.”

Elite Interiors Ltd
Services: Accommodation upgrades and refurbishment