Software house has the energy to grow

A tech firm helping deliver some of the world's largest energy projects is continuing to invest in the North East as it celebrates its 10^th year in business.

asset55, a software house based in The Beam at Riverside Sunderland, is set to create a host of skilled and graduate job roles this year following a period of prolonged growth.

Employing 30 people across its Sunderland HQ and remote teams in Europe and Asia, the company develops a range of software solutions for engineering and construction specialists, specifically those working on major infrastructure projects in the energy sector.

With a client list spanning the world's largest oil producers and pioneers in renewable energy, its software helps developers monitor each and every stage of a project, ensuring they are delivered on-time and within-budget.

Paul Bicker, director and CTO, said: "I know its cliché, but our software really is a first-of-its-kind. It aids all aspects of design and engineering in the entire lifecycle of a development, from identifying design flaws in proof of concepts to scanning construction work in real-time and eliminating any snags, delays and health risks.

"Many of the projects we work on are economically and environmentally significant, as every minute saved can not only save millions of pounds, but also millions of carbons from being released into the atmosphere, and we're incredibly proud of the role we've played - and continue to play - in helping deliver major infrastructure projects the world-over."

Despite the pandemic, the company secured its largest contract to date last year which will see it provide complete oversight to the development of a globally significant energy project, and successfully launched a new software package which has already been well received by the market.

Paul added: "We're expecting this year to be our busiest on record. The pandemic and oil and gas downturn impacted the business at first however the need to embrace Net Zero and the shift to decarbonisation provided a major lift to the company as energy projects the world-over began to accelerate at pace.

"Looking ahead, as we roll out our new software and begin working on our latest project, this will naturally see us continue to create jobs and the bulk of those roles will be at our head office in Sunderland.

"As a company deep-rooted in the North East, our team boasts over 100 years' experience in the industry and ensuring we pass on that knowledge to the next generation is something we're incredibly passionate about."

asset55 relocated to Sunderland in 2020 after securing space in The Beam, the first office building to be developed as part of the ambitious regeneration of Riverside Sunderland on the former Vaux Brewery site, however its relocation was hampered by the introduction of lockdown measures just a week after signing the lease.

Looking to the future however, as lockdown measures ease and with staff gradually easing back into office life, Paul is confident that the ability for staff to split their time between the office and home will make the company as attractive a proposition as possible to potential recruits.

He added: "The Beam is a superb facility. It's in an easy to access location, just a five-minute walk from a train to London with easy transport routes to the A19 and the coast and is situated right in the heart of the city centre.

"Add to that the North East's skilled workforce, access to talent from five world-class universities and close proximity to some of the UK's largest energy infrastructure projects from Scotland down to Teesside, and it's a real prime location for businesses such as ours." 

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "As a city which was once a driving force of the industrial revolution, it's absolutely fantastic to see the next generation of businesses such as asset55 continue to carry the torch by continuing to innovate and blaze a trail on a global scale and we're delighted to hear that they are continuing to invest in the city."

To find out more about asset55, visit: https://assetfiftyfive.com/

For more information about Sunderland as a place to do business, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/business-and-investment