A team of South Tyneside-based engineering experts are carving out a global reputation for developing tailor-made subsea solutions for the marine industry.
DME Systems may only be 17 months old, but the team of seven specialists has worked across the globe, delivering multi-million pound projects in the UAE, Denmark, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany…to name but a few.
The business offers a solutions-based engineering service, namely working closely with some of the largest, and smallest, companies in the world to design machinery to overcome specific challenges, often in extreme environments.
Created by experienced engineers, Darren Coombe and Michael van Zwanenberg, the business is expanding into new office space at Jarrow Business Centre, providing it with increased office and meeting space, as well as larger workshops.
The move is the culmination of an incredible year and a half that’s seen DME Services exceed its annual targets in the first three months of the year, attract new recruits and engage with local schools and colleges to develop roles for apprentices and graduates that will enable the firm to grow and nurture its own talent.
Darren said:
“We are all experienced engineers with at least a decade’s experience, so when we created the business we recognised the requirement for bespoke solutions in the marine sector, but we couldn’t have anticipated the level of interest and how quickly we’ve grown, which has been fantastic.
“The world never sleeps, so we might be on a call to Greece until late at night or the phone will be buzzing in the early hours with messages from Middle East – it’s far from a 9-5 job, but the projects are fantastic and we’re really enjoying the experience.”
DME Systems has earned a reputation for skill and ingenuity, designing leading-edge subsea and marine equipment. However, it also has other industries in its sights, with a pipeline of work in steelworks and aspirations to move into the defence sector.
Currently though, it is the traditional oil and gas industries and ongoing growth in offshore renewables, mining and telecoms that are demanding the company’s attention.
“We have created equipment with complex electronics operating at 600 bar – that’s 600x the pressure on the surface,” added Darren. “We are designing subsea solutions that check for potential obstacles for cables, RV skids that test the integrity and hardiness of the seabed without damaging it and preventing future damage. It is a very specialised, but vitally important field and one that is incredibly rewarding for design engineers.”
DME Systems directly employs seven people but operates with a number of partners with a variety of specialisms, whose expertise they draw from to deliver complex projects.
Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport on South Tyneside Council, said:
“DME Systems is a real success story and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to support their rapid expansion.
“Jarrow Business Centre is the perfect base for SMEs operating in the offshore and advances manufacturing sectors.
“DME is already leading the way in innovative technologies and I look forward to watching this homegrown business continue to flourish and create jobs and opportunities in the Borough.”
The leadership team is made up Darren, who has worked in the steelworks on Teesside and subsea firms on Tyneside; Michael van Zwanenberg, with almost 20 years’ experience working on offshore equipment above and below the waves; Richard Purdy, who has extensive experience in designing and optimising subsea vehicles, creating several world firsts; and Stephen Dixon who’s designed a variety of equipment from subsea trenching vehicles to launch and recovery solutions and cable and pipe lay equipment.
Co-founder, Michael van Zwanenberg, said:
“South Tyneside Council has been brilliant for us – we’ve had great support from the team as we’ve grown.
“We started out working from home, but eventually took some space at Quadrus, but before long we needed more room and some workshop space – the business support team, couldn’t have been more supportive. Helping us find a home at Jarrow Business Centre then securing the space for us to grow and also develop ideas in the workshop. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
The company already boasts an extensive product range, with “topside” control and drive systems and a variety of subsea machinery, including pressure-tolerant electronics that operate comfortably at a depth of 6,000 feet below the surface.
Darren added:
“We’re all natural born engineers. I relax by designing a complex 3D manifold – we do what we love.
“We’re all really excited about the future. DME Systems continues to grow and will definitely need to recruit new people in the coming months. So we will be creating jobs for people in South Tyneside and beyond, we are committed to using local expertise and we always look locally when sourcing suppliers. We want to make sure our growth and success also benefits this area.”
DME Systems are located at Jarrow Business Centre. For more information about sites and premises in South Tyneside see investsouthtyneside.com/sites-and-premises
