Hethel-based Proeon Systems has secured two pivotal orders worth £650,000 as it looks to mount significant growth this year.

The offshore services firm has partnered with Aberdeen-based Helix to develop subsea intervention control systems to be used within the energy sector.

The contract win comes after the firm became the first business to move into the Hethel Engineering Centre's £7.8m expansion, which opened earlier this year.

But the company confirmed that it was already scouring the county to find a suitable location to build its own headquarters as it looks to bolster its workforce in the months ahead.

Kevin Magee, managing director of Proeon Systems, said 'These are exciting projects for us here at Proeon. The engineering team have been collaborating for some time on smaller projects through third parties with this company, and contract awards like these demonstrate that our quality and expertise has great potential. We are committed to supplying the best solutions possible.'

The two projects will have elements of hardware and software development, which includes testing and manufacturing. It will be carried out at Proeon's facilities at Hethel, before installation and commissioning begins.

Dorian Hindmarsh, Proeon's business development manager, said: 'We see that specialist controls within the subsea and topsides arena is a growing market place for us and is already set to be a core contributor to our business bringing it in line with our current offering of gas turbine control and fire and gas safety systems.'

In October, Proeon opened its Aberdeen office to help cement its reputation for energy services across Scotland.

Dr Hindmarsh said Aberdeen will become a major growth market for the firm – contributing 30pc to its total business this year.

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