Offshore
4Service Offshore is a small player in the large offshore market. But its size does not prevent the department from being both innovative and customer-focused.
“Continuous dialogue and close cooperation with our clients is the secret”, says Stian Stenlund, general manager of Offshore in 4Service.
An industry with workplaces far out at sea is complex and complicated. There are clear requirements for e.g. HSE and tariffs.
“We stand out in terms of staffing and concepts. As a serious player in this market, it is important to find long-term solutions. We refuse to bid for contracts that are not appropriate for our employees or for the company. “I know that our current customers greatly appreciate that attitude.
Kristin Sølvberg Ur, chief safety representative in Offshore, agrees with Stenlund's description of the market. She adds:
“Our industry has many well-established routines, and many things are done exactly as they have always been done. Not all change and innovation are met with cheers. I think that here in 4Service, we are good at hitting the target. Through dialogue and a desire to learn, our proposals for change are often listened to.
Working on a platform has always been a source of pride. This is also the case for the employees at 4Service.
“Our professional pride is palpable. Being able to say that you belong to the environment with a workplace on the Norwegian continental shelf is something very special”, says Stenlund.
The details decide
Understanding rig culture is essential in order to deliver high quality. In a working day, where the work team lives close together for 14 days, the composition of the group of people is important. As elsewhere in 4Service, the Offshore division also focuses on community, culture and solidarity.
“Solidarity is strong, and it is a culture that constitutes our foundation. Tasks that are solved together always produce the best results. That is why we also invest a lot of time putting together good work teams that complement each other”, says Sølvberg Ur.
On the platform, everything is optimized and taken into account. To save time, acronyms, abbreviations and tribal language prevail. A FOAS (catering assistant) is led by a CB (Catering Manager), and an HLA (Helicopter Landing Assistant) ensures safe arrival and departure.
“It’s a separate society out there. And the details and dynamics of this society are crucial to well-being. For example, some of our customers have very specific requirements for which coffee supplier to use, while others must have specific products available for their employees to enjoy.”
Sølvberg Ur laughs before continuing:
“I still think the most important thing is snacks and other good things around the holidays. If one shift has eaten up the entire stock, the result is a complete crisis!
2020 and beyond
Stenlund knows why his division was successful in 2020:
“We promptly initiated good infection control measures. Buffets were removed and replaced with one-on-one serving. Two additional employees were also brought onto each shift on each rig, to handle the increased need for washing and infection control. Having larger teams on the rigs has brought a lot of benefits, including for the culture.”
Customers emphasize flexibility and short decision paths when they talk about the collaboration with 4Service. Feedback like this forms the basis for the work of further developing the services.
“Long-term and sustainable cooperation, that is our strategy going forward. Our model is based on good dialogue with our customers, robust operations and perhaps most importantly: That everyone regards a good working environment as an advantage, and not as a cost.
Combined with investment in new technology, this strategy has already borne fruit. In 2020, the company had two important contracts extended. At the end of the year, 4Service thus has six contracts spread over ten rigs.
“We are small, but have great potential. 2021 will be an exciting year. We will continue to nurture our culture and our people, further develop the assignments we already have, and work together to win a few more contract that match into our portfolio”, says Stenlund.
Sølvberg Ur shares Stenlund's opinion on the importance of development:
“We have set ourselves the goal of providing the best working environment, and development and learning are key components in this regard. In long-term contracts, the secret is to be on the lookout for both small and large improvements. We will continue to do so, even after the pandemic is over”, she concludes.
