HPR ROV, a sub-sea robotics firm based in the north-east of Scotland, has been acquired by Subtron Group, an energy firm, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal will safeguard the HPR ROV’s Thainstone team, and has created an additional five positions to add to the team of 17. The five new jobs are part of the company’s expansion into Altens this coming May.

The robotics firm is a supplier of micro-ROV inspection and intervention solutions, and the deal is set to help the companies escalate existing research and development.

Subtron’s acquisition of HPR ROV should help it expand into the renewable energy sector, while it continues to address its core markets including reducing costs to oil and gas decommissioning and decarbonisation efforts.

Newly appointed HPR ROV managing director Jan Stander said: “HPR’s delivery model of using small and light remotely operated systems for inspection and intervention work aligns perfectly with the rapidly advancing technology landscape we now see changing how work is done subsea.

“The offshore wind, oil and gas decommissioning and power industries are demanding reductions in cost, which HPR is ideally placed to deliver.

“Our plan will deliver strong growth for HPR, creating energy transition job opportunities in offshore wind – we have already engaged with the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership’s WEST program to assist us bring cost reductions to the industry.”

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Subtron chief executive Steven Gray added: “With strong historic relationships in almost all the oil and gas operators – stretching to around 300 projects over the last 10 years – HPR ROV has the experience and track record to deliver for operators who require effective light intervention and inspection.

“This acquisition is not just a financial investment; it’s a commitment to the future of underwater technology.

“We see enormous potential in HPR ROV’s capabilities and are excited to be part of its next chapter of innovation and expansion.”