Tag Archives: deganwy

News

From Coalfields to the World Stage: A New Era of Expansion

A global leader in geophysical and petrophysical logging is preparing to expand into fresh international markets following a period of sustained growth.

Robertson Geo has entered its next stage of worldwide development after relocating to new headquarters in Conwy, further cementing its role as a leading exporter and authority in geophysical and petrophysical services.

With 95% of sales generated overseas and operations spanning more than 160 countries, the company oversees a network of over 25 approved agents, supported by bases in the USA and Hong Kong, and employs a 55-strong workforce.

Sales and Marketing Director Steve Parry, who has dedicated 45 years to the business, has witnessed its evolution from a local service provider into a global industry frontrunner.

“In the early days, we had to be adventurous, my boss gave me an atlas and told me to go sell,” said Steve, originally from Bangor.

“These days, exporters have numerous tools at their disposal, ranging from the internet and social media to webinars, government export initiatives, and even AI. Back in the day, before the internet and mobile phones, the primary source of information was the Yellow Pages!”

He continued: “Travelling all over the world I could find myself in the middle of nowhere in those early days, it was a risk. I’ve been shot at, stranded in deserts, and even lost a car in a flash flood, but it’s been an incredible journey from there to where we are now.”

Founded in the early 1980s to serve Britain’s coalfields, Robertson Geo soon expanded abroad, delivering projects in Indonesia, South Africa, New Zealand, and further afield.

By 1984, overseas clients began requesting to purchase the company’s own in-house designed equipment, triggering a pivot from services to product sales and fueling an export boom that continues today.

“Many UK exporters focus on Europe,” Steve said. “We decided to take on the world. From zero exports in 1984, we were selling to over 50 countries within a decade. Today, 98% of our equipment sales are international and we are looking to do more in emerging markets in central Asia and Africa.”

That worldwide success has been driven by long-term partnerships, trust, and strong face-to-face connections.

“Selling is the easy part,” Steve added. “Supporting customers globally and providing after-sales service is where it gets tough, and where we’ve really excelled.”

To strengthen its customer support and training offer, Robertson Geo is rolling out the RG Academy, a new global training programme that will operate from its Conwy base and be delivered internationally — beginning in the USA, Middle East, and Asia.

“We’re proud to bring clients from across the globe to North Wales,” said Steve.

“Our new headquarters marks the next chapter of growth, and Conwy will be at the heart of it.”

For more updates from Robertson Geo, visit Geotechnical – Robertson Geo | Wireline Borehole Logging.

News

Dad-of-Twins Launches Gym Business to Stop Fitness Gear “Gathering Dust”

A GROUNDBREAKING gym equipment company is making significant gains within weeks of launch.

Based in Llandudno and Mochdre, gym2me was founded by entrepreneur Andy Boyd, who had spent almost two decades in the banking sector before taking the leap and starting his own business.

The busy dad-of-twins wanted to explore the circular economy and develop a company borne from his own exercise experiences — and the realities of modern life.

gym2me is built for “real people with real lives” who have purchased expensive equipment in the past and found that just weeks or months later it was “gathering dust” in the garage or spare room.

The service allows people to rent premium fitness items in flexible four to 12-week blocks, with delivery, set up, and wraparound support from a growing online community. Long-term there will also be a nutrition and exercise library available to community members.

“I’ve been that guy who buys an expensive spin bike, smashes six weeks of workouts, then lets it gather dust under laundry as a makeshift clothes horse,” said Andy, who lives with wife Philippa and sons Zak and Max in Deganwy.

“gym2me is for people like me, people who want to make progress, not create piles of unused gear through the sadly all too familiar ‘buy then stash’ fitness model.”

Instead, users can browse a comprehensive and growing range of top-quality gear from rowers to spin bikes, walking pads to ergonomic chairs – and choose rental packages with loyalty options that flex with their goals and life demands.

“We’re solving three key problems,” said Andy.

“Time-poor schedules, intimidating gyms, and bulky equipment that ends up unloved. gym2me brings fitness to your door when you need it and takes it away when you’re done. No guilt, no clutter, just results.”

With more people working from home than ever before, Andy says there’s a real appetite for ways to stay active in private, on your terms, and without the pressure of public workout spaces.

“This is for those who find the gym environment intimidating or simply want to enhance their fitness journey at home, to get healthy, lose weight, or simply break up screen time,” he said.

“Walking pads, for example, have been hugely popular as they let people stay active while working remotely. We’re also introducing ergonomic furniture and chairs to support a healthier work-from-home setup.”

He added: “This is a new proposition so changing people’s mindset is going to be pivotal, and we will be on that journey together.

“We only launched a few weeks ago and the response has already been fantastic, so I’m excited to see where that journey takes us.”

For those hesitant to invest in pricey home equipment, gym2me offers a flexible alternative to permanent purchases.

Currently delivering across North Wales, Chester and parts of Cheshire, Andy has plans to expand the model — potentially scaling up into a franchise — and says they are already connecting with their target markets.

“This resonates with people like me and my wife — busy parents with limited time, trying to stay active,” he said.

“We’re speaking to ‘back to fitness’ folks, active agers, hybrid workers, serious gym-goers and individuals who thrive on adrenaline… anyone juggling full-on lives.

“With personal training now thriving online as well as in gyms, gym2me gives coaches, physiotherapists, and other health professionals a powerful way to get quality equipment into their clients’ homes – helping them train well, recover well, and feel their best.”

He added: “We’re not just delivering kit, we’re building a smarter way to stay active — one that’s kinder to your home, your wallet, your time, and your planet.”

For more information, visit the website gym2me | Rent Gym Equipment in North Wales – Free Delivery and follow them on social media.

gym2me is also partnering with Adrenaline, one of North Wales’ fast-growing hybrid fitness events. Hosted at Treborth Athletics Track in Bangor on September 13, there will be competitive and non-competitive formats including solo, a women’s-only heat, and a children’s race.

“We are proud that gym2me is the lead sponsor for this year’s event, supplying some of the equipment competitors will be using on the day,” said Andy.

For more information, follow Adrenaline on Facebook.

Renewable Energy News

ROBERTSON GEO Delivers Critical Data for Landmark £1.5bn Hydroelectric Project

ROBERTSON GEO has played a key role in supporting a £1.5 billion hydroelectric scheme by delivering crucial geotechnical data.

The Coire Glas project, located on the shores of Loch Lochy near Inverness, is set to become the UK’s first hydro storage project of its scale since the construction of Dinorwig Power Station in the 1980s.

Contracted by Strabag UK Ltd, the Conwy-based specialist in borehole geophysical and petrophysical logging technologies was tasked with conducting an in-depth ground investigation for the ambitious development, led by energy company SSE Renewables.

With a potential generation capacity of up to 1300MW, Coire Glas could supply electricity to as many as three million homes within minutes of activation.

Simon Garantini, Managing Director of Robertson GEO, which also operates in the US and Hong Kong, explained that the company deployed an array of geophysical probes inside an exploratory tunnel more than one kilometre long and 700 metres deep.

A technically demanding operation, the project required the use of equipment and techniques never previously employed by the team, including a 2,000m winch housed in a safety cage.

“The exploratory work being undertaken for Coire Glas is among the most extensive ground investigations of its time, collecting and analysing a huge volume of geotechnical data before construction begins,” said Simon.

“The comprehensive scope of the ground investigation is not least required due to the site’s proximity to the Great Glen fault line, which is visible from outer space.

“The geotechnical data will observe ground conditions to inform on the potential risks and challenges posed to a successful delivery of the project, so this was a hugely important task, pivotal to them moving forward.”

The tunnel featured three “galleries” from which a network of long, near-horizontal and angled boreholes were drilled, along with shorter “televiewer” boreholes used for imaging, stress testing, and deformability analysis.

The demanding schedule saw operations running 24/7, with two engineering teams working in alternating 12-hour shifts.

“Logistics underground could be difficult with equipment needing to be moved around underground whilst many other tasks were occurring simultaneously,” said Simon.

“The most challenging aspect of the logging operation was the development and deployment of a ‘push’ system to place logging tools in horizontal boreholes.

“Our team has considerable experience in using them on horizontal boreholes up to about 40m in length. However, these were up to around 280m so the magnitude of the task could not be underestimated.”

He continued: “There were other challenges – notably in designing a push system for the raised boreholes up to 22m in length – but a manual arrangement using customised tubular push rods was engineered, which worked successfully.

“The work environment was noisy at times with the inevitable dripping water on sensitive equipment such as laptops, though together we resolved all these issues.

“The geophysical logging campaign we undertook formed a vital component of the overall ground investigation, providing high-quality calibrated data, not attainable by other means, at centimetre resolution in the boreholes.”

Operating in more than 160 countries and supported by over 25 approved agents, Robertson GEO continues to deliver geophysical services and manage borehole logging equipment rentals worldwide.

For more information, visit their website: Geotechnical – Robertson Geo | Wireline Borehole Logging.

4o
News

Geo logging giant unveils vision to double workforce and revenue following relocation

A GROUNDBREAKING global developer and provider of borehole geophysical and petrophysical logging technologies and services is moving to a new headquarters and planning further expansion.

Award-winning Robertson Geo will relocate from its sites in Deganwy and Llandudno to a new 20,500 square-foot building on Tre Morfa Enterprise Park, Conwy, following significant growth.

In addition to extensive manufacturing facilities, offices, meeting rooms, and a training hub, the base will be home to a world-class calibration facility, a “beacon of best practice” for the multiple sectors it operates in, including offshore wind, mining and minerals, geotechnical, renewables, water and environmental, and energy petrophysics.

They also plan to take up further rented space on the park for the firm’s expanding Robertson Geo Services operational team.

Managing Director Simon Garantini said the business – which also has locations in the US and Hong Kong – will be sorry to leave its existing premises after more than 45 years, but he and the 55-strong workforce are looking forward to the “next chapter”.

“We have outgrown our current facilities and would have moved earlier if not for the pandemic, but this is the right time and we aim to be in by the summer,” said Simon.

“Relocating to Conwy means our UK team will all be on one site, and the new base will set the standard for the industry.

“We have always been leaders in technology development, calibration, validation, and compliance, so this will further enhance our strengths and future-proof the organisation.

“It also means we will be in a position to steadily double our head count and sales revenue, which is up 15-20% year on year.”

He added: “It’s taken some time for us to get to this point, but we are pleased to start this next chapter and will be looking to take on more manufacturing and field operations staff this year to meet global demand for our Marine Geotechnics division, which is focused on offshore wind.”

With customers in 160+ countries and more than 25 approved agents, Robertson Geo provides ground investigation services and manages borehole logging equipment rentals worldwide.

As well as management of services and administration, the new base will be home to the firm’s design, manufacturing, sales and assembly staff.

Simon revealed it will also include the RG Academy, a world-leading training centre that will welcome people to North Wales for a range of bespoke courses.

“This is the perfect building to achieve our vision and capitalise on the opportunities we have in multiple arenas the world over,” he said.

“We do cover a broad range of sectors and have seen an increase in customers internationally, notably in the US and Asia, but also want to help develop and train the next generation of workers in these industries, which is why we continue to invest in our people and the latest, cutting-edge technology.

“It’s an exciting time for Robertson Geo, there is so much in the pipeline here in North Wales and especially on the international stage, so we’re looking forward to the future.”

For more news and information from Robertson Geo, visit the website Geotechnical – Robertson Geo | Wireline Borehole Logging.

News

Hypnotherapist overcomes abuse and anxiety to launch wellbeing business

A HYPNOTHERAPIST and wellbeing coach has drawn on her own experiences to help people create positive change in their own lives.

Jackie Thomson is focused on helping others overcome mental and physical anguish, anxiety, and emotional pain after battling her own demons in past years.

Celebrating 12 months in Deganwy and eight years in business, Jackie – who has a background in musical theatre – brings different solutions together using her expertise as a clinical and spiritual hypnotherapist, wellbeing coach and Reiki master.

The mum-of-three previously ran an audio transcription company and revealed personal challenges in her early life inspired her to switch careers and promote ‘hypno-wellbeing’.

“It was a big decision but after suffering abuse, anxiety and depression I needed a change, I needed to find who I was,” said Jackie.

“I was living in the Midlands and decided to move away and start from scratch, which was tough and lonely at first, but eventually, after finding a group of like-minded people, I started to do things I hadn’t for years, such as dancing and theatre, which made me smile again.

“I began enjoying this new ‘me’ and found that my life story was actually helping other people who were in a similar position, especially women.”

She added: “My own experiences and extensive training have helped me grow, and I know I will never stop evolving.

“Although certificates are no indication of anyone’s life experience, wisdom, or compassion, I still apply my training every day.

“Recovering from abuse, self-loathing, failed relationships, lack of confidence and many other things that troubled my past changed my life completely, I’m now happily married and loving life here in North Wales.”

With private and referred clients attending online and in-person sessions to discuss myriad issues – including anxiety, phobias, OCD, and the menopause – Jackie has seen a surge in demand for her services over past months, including bespoke one-to-one programmes.

“There are things people do not feel comfortable talking about, for example ‘empty nest syndrome’ which is the grief many parents feel when their children leave home,” she said.

“This is so common, especially among women, but is often overlooked; they lose sight of themselves as they’ve always been a wife and mother, they’ve forgotten how to care for themselves, so I help them regain their identity.

“Menopause is another issue which has also always been swept under the carpet and it’s a huge thing for women of a certain age, and men, but again it’s not talked about.

“I am just pleased to be in a position where I can help, listen and use my training and own experiences spiritually and emotionally to help people all over the country – that’s the most important thing to me.”

Visit the website www.jackiethomson.com for more information and follow @jackiethypnocoach on social media.

News

Industry leaders come together at business summit to close skills gap in Wales

UNITING industry, education and innovation with communities is pivotal to closing the skills gap in North Wales.

Pryderi ap Rhisiart (pictured), Managing Director of M-SParc science park on Anglesey, made the plea during a business summit hosted by Antur Cymru Enterprise at the Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy.

He was joined by a panel of top speakers including Francis Johnson, founder of Parallel Care Solutions; Vicki Rushton from Gerallt Evans Metalcraft; Andrea Knox, director of business law specialists Knox Commercial Solicitors, and Carolyn Parry, President of the CDI (Careers Development Institute).

Also presenting to more than 40 attendees on the day were Lorraine Hopkins, Manager for the Leading Business Growth programmes at Bangor University Business School, and Chris Owens, Managing Director at Alpine Travel.

The event was opened by Bronwen Raine, Managing Director of Antur Cymru Enterprise, based in Newcastle Emlyn.

She revealed how the organisation has helped tens of thousands of businesspeople in Wales over the last 45 years via platforms such as Business Wales and Big Ideas Wales.

“Everyone in this room today recognises the need to prioritise growth, not only to develop a vibrant Welsh economy but also, at an individual business level, to increase the sustainability of individual businesses in current conditions,” said Bronwen.

“This has become a greater challenge in the current fiscal and economic environment so it’s essential stakeholders unite and look at how we can work together to achieve this while sharing expertise.”

The summit also featured a special video message from Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething MS, who said: “The Welsh Government is working towards creating a stronger, fairer, and greener Welsh economy to encourage innovation among businesses right across Wales.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are key to growing the economy of Wales; through Business Wales we look to and support our micro businesses and SMEs, particularly those that are grounded in their local communities and investing in Wales long-term.

“By putting collaboration ahead of competition we will maximise fairness for all and try to eliminate inequality at every level of our society.”

He added: “Significant economic opportunities exist, as North Wales transitions to an integrated cross-border low-carbon economy. I hope you have a successful day and much more than that I hope we will all see real success across Wales, including the growth there in North Wales.”

Reinforcing those comments, Pryderi pointed to the “ecosystem” of talent and opportunity at M-SParc and across the region.

“We need to cooperate, which is why events like this are so important,” he said.

“We have a backbone of SMEs and small businesses that contribute so much to our economy, but we need to see a greater flow of private finance and investments and R&D funding to support innovation here, and a focus on skills, which we clearly feel very strongly about.

“It is a big challenge, trying to find skilled candidates to fill some of the jobs out there in North Wales, but if we come together, we have the ingredients to do it, and when we do it will be prove to be a massive boost to our economy.”

For more information, visit www.anturcymru.org.uk or follow @anturcymruwales on social media.