Height Specialists: Global Leaders in Rope Access Solutions
On the up-and-up
Established in 1995, Height Specialists is a specialist company that provides rope access inspection, maintenance and modifications for on and offshore inspection and maintenance services to clients operating in various industrial sectors as well as to elaborate promotions and public events.
The business was started as a one-man venture but today operates as fully qualified IRATA, ISO 9001 and VCA-P company with over 75 employees working worldwide. “Height Specialists is an innovative and dynamic organisation that offers a quick and professional response to its clients’ questions,” comments general manager, Henri Hoogenes. “Safety is always our first priority and as such, each project will endure a risk analysis and methodic planning before execution. Height Specialists only works with fully certified technicians, tools and materials.”
Indeed throughout its history Height Specialists has managed to profile itself quickly, notably by providing abseiling and zip wire services at Rotterdam’s Euromast and later by supporting various Dutch television productions.
During its early years Height Specialists also turned its hand to work at height, using rope access and industrial climbing. Rope access is a method for working at heights utilising ropes, climbing harnesses and other materials to enableaccess to working locations in difficult and inaccessible situations. It is a method of access that has been tried and tested for over 20 years. 
As an alternative or complementary use against conventional systems like scaffolding, suspension bridge constructions and lifting platforms, the techniques and materials have been specifically developed for use in a number of industrial applications. Today these applications include high-rise construction, bridges, shafts, masts and towers, atriums, monuments, construction halls and wind turbines.
Prior to 2014 Height Specialists was mainly focused on operations within the Netherlands, however as it continues to grow the company is increasingly targeting global projects within the marine, offshore, process and petrochemical sectors. Within the oil and gas market these include projects in Scandinavia and offshore in Dutch and UK waters. “During 2014 Height Specialists kept on growing causing it to be one of the largest rope access companies in Europe,” Henri explains. “During the beginning of 2014 we also started to operate in Nigeria and the Middle-East and the company’s focus in 2015 is to continue this growth and extend its range within the wind energy market.”
Since it was last featured in European Oil and Gas Magazine during March 2014, Height Specialists has continued to grow and diversify its presence in new regions around the world. The company today operates three offices located in the Netherlands, Germany and a new operation opened in Dubai. Furthermore, as the company continues to attract new clients it has become increasingly active in Africa. “Since the company last appeared in European Oil and Gas Magazine we have opened an office in Dubai,” Henri elaborates. “We have a lot of contracts for performing window cleaning of skyscrapers in the region, but are also looking to expand our services towards oil & gas and marine & offshore. We have also signed an agreement establishing Height Specialists Africa Limited (HSAL) in partnership with Deltalift Resources Nigeria Limited (DRNL) to provide international standard Rope Access services and training to clients in the West African region (through partnering with DRNL). At this moment we are in the running for some large projects.”
The employees of Height Specialists regularly undergo training at its official Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) training centre and attend Master-class courses in the use of specific tools, project management and social skills. The training courses are set up and delivered in accordance with international standards and each project is assigned its own supervisor to guarantee the security and quality of the operations. This market-leading level of expertise coupled with the company’s ability to rapidly respond to the requests of its clients makes Height Specialists an attractive option in rope access solutions, despite a challenging market. “At the moment, as in every business at this point, it is hard work but thanks to the long-term relationships with our clients and our high level of standards we still manage to grow and maintain our strong position in the market,” Henri says. “We have noticed that in this business it is important to rely on strong partners and to build on a long-term relationship with our clients. We have noticed that every time we work for a new client, who has never used rope access before, they are pleasantly surprised – surprised about the company’s professional way of working and the flexibility that rope access provides. The focus for the next 12 months will be growing in the energy and offshore market and the vision of Height Specialists for the next three to five years is to be a leading partner in rope access worldwide.”
Throughout its history Height Specialists has provided a unique and highly specialist range of rope access solutions. These have enabled it to find new customers in a diverse field of sectors and develop long lasting relationships with these clients that will continue to keep the business on the up-and-up.
Height Specialists
Services: Rope access inspection, maintenance and modifications for on and offshore inspection and maintenance services