Not so long ago, Jbs was best known for supporting the UK energy sector, delivering specialist engineering services.

That experience continues to underpin the business today, but the scope and scale of Jbs operations have changed markedly. The past year has demonstrated how far the business has evolved.

Jbs now operates as a multi-discipline engineering partner to clients worldwide, supporting projects across energy, space, defence, data infrastructure and industrial manufacturing – and even the whisky sector.  

This broadened capability has translated into increasing demand across all four of the company’s service areas.

The business continues to grow internationally with 70% of revenue now generated by overseas clients. Demand for its services, alongside extensive business development travel, has reaped rewards, with Jbs having delivered projects in 85 countries.

With a strong pipeline, Jbs enters 2026 with clear momentum and confidence in its ability to build on recent progress.

“Growth for us has never been about chasing volume,” said Jo McIntosh, Sales and Marketing Director at Jbs. “It is about building capability, backing our people and making sure we can deliver consistently, regardless of sector or geography.”

Diversified service offering built on engineering depth

At the heart of the firm’s growth is a clearly defined service offering, underpinned by in-house expertise and manufacturing capability. The business operates across four distinct areas: Sea Axe controlled flow excavation – its own innovation, blast containment solutions, fabrication and screw conveyor systems.

Sea Axe meets rising global demand

Demand for the Jbs patented Sea Axe Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE) system has grown substantially in 2025, driven by offshore wind, decommissioning, subsea fibre optic cable protection/burial/repairs and port redevelopment projects.

During the year, some of its projects include, two Sea Axe systems being deployed offshore South Korea to support cable burial operations on the Yeonggwang Nakwol Offshore Wind Farm. The equipment was mobilised within seven days of contract signing using airfreight logistics, enabling rapid commencement of operations. The use of an electric power unit provided environmental advantages, eliminating noise, and fluid leakage risk.

Elsewhere, Sea Axe systems have supported fibre optic cable burial in the Irish Sea, platform decommissioning in the southern North Sea, and pile removal on a major port redevelopment project. Jbs continues to manufacture Sea Axe equipment in-house to meet rising international demand.

Jo said: “Our ability to mobilise quickly and deliver controlled excavation with minimal environmental impact is a major differentiator. Clients value both the technology and the support that sits behind it.”

Blast containment for high-risk environments

In 2025, blast containment was one of the fastest-growing areas of the business, driven by increased demand from the space sector, particularly in the United States.

The firm’s blast containment fabrics are now used to protect space propulsion systems, pressure test bays and arc flash environments. The business has delivered solutions for some of the most recognisable names in the space sector, as well as defence clients requiring blast and arc flash protection for surface and sub-surface fleets.

Projects during the year included blast containment systems for gas test pits in Norway, pressure test bay automated roof protection in Brazil, and multi-site solutions for a UK FTSE 100 company. Arc flash protection for data centres is now a key growth focus as operators seek to protect critical infrastructure.

Fabrication supporting critical infrastructure

Fabrication continues to be a cornerstone of the business, with teams almost continuously mobilised onshore and offshore major projects. During the past year, Jbs has delivered a wide range of fabrication scopes both on client sites and from its Peterhead headquarters.

Notable projects include extensive reel modifications at Rosyth, module builds,  fabrication and specialist work for distilleries and maltings, where demand has increased significantly. Jbs has also supported a North-east of Scotland waste facility, providing welding, fabrication, and material handling services at a key biogas plant.

One standout project saw Jbs fabricate a critical base grillage for hydraulic workover unit. The structure required exceptional precision, extensive non-destructive testing and third-party witnessed load testing. The project demonstrated the firm’s ability to deliver certified structural components for offshore applications through close collaboration between engineering and project teams.

Further work included the full refurbishment of a moonpool hatch system for a long-standing client, completed within a tight four-week window and returned to service with enhanced safety and durability.

Screw conveyor expertise delivered globally

The Jbs screw conveyor business has continued to expand internationally, supported by proprietary dual-drive systems now installed across the UK, Europe, North America, South America, Australasia and South East Asia.

A major milestone was the award of a full turnkey contract for a specialist offshore salt handling system, covering design, engineering, fabrication, installation and commissioning of ATEX-rated screw conveyors, skip stations and fabricated assemblies as well as the installation & commissioning of the plant to be completed in 2026. Additional projects have been carried out, ranging from new installations at South Korea shipyards to work in Brazil and many countries in between.

Jbs also supports some of the whisky industry’s most established names, delivering infrastructure upgrades at distilleries across Scotland.

Investing in people, community and the future

Investment has been directed towards strengthening the business from within, supporting facilities, training and equipment required to deliver increasingly complex and time-critical projects to a consistently high standard.

People development sits at the centre of that approach. Apprenticeships remain a core part of the company’s long-term workforce strategy, supporting skills retention and progression while ensuring specialist engineering knowledge continues to be strengthened in-house.

Alongside this, Jbs maintains a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and the local community. The Peterhead workshop now operates as a 100% solar powered energy-efficient facility.

The business also continues to support initiatives including Peterhead Academy Learning Partnership and Peterhead Scottish Week.
Looking ahead, Jbs is well positioned for further progress into 2026.

“It is remarkable how far a business can move forward by continuing to take the right steps, one at a time,” said Jo. “By staying focused, reinvesting and building carefully, we have created strong foundations and real confidence in what comes next.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Jbs Group