Bond Offshore
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Bond coming back to Aberdeen ?
Rumour is sweeping the airport that Bond might be coming back to Aberdeen to start up an operation with 7 airframes. So come on boys, whats the gen ?? 
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This one has been running for yonks, ever since Bond Air Services Ltd was created in fact. Seeing how BASL has just moved HQ to Staverton it seems unlikely to say the least.
Still, stranger things have happened but with the current crew shortage I severely doubt it.
Still, stranger things have happened but with the current crew shortage I severely doubt it.
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Another wild rumour.
Where is/are the:
(a) real estate at ABZ?
(b) the aircraft? (7 pumas?)
(c) the pilots? (they are barely managing to crew the contracts they have: a sixth pilot has just resigned/left -- this within the last year and out of workforce of 30 odd).
Where is/are the:
(a) real estate at ABZ?
(b) the aircraft? (7 pumas?)
(c) the pilots? (they are barely managing to crew the contracts they have: a sixth pilot has just resigned/left -- this within the last year and out of workforce of 30 odd).
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Only 7! I heard more like 10 but some of those may have been through illness and several more are believed to be in the planning phase. Will the last one to leave please turn out the light............CLICK!
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As reported in Fridays Scotsman.
Bond brothers plan a N Sea helicopter return
Two years after they bowed out of North Sea air logistics following the takeover of their business by Canadian interests, helicopter entrepreneurs, the Bond brothers, are preparing for a comeback.
They have set up a new company named Bond Offshore Helicopters. If the brothers finally commit, the next stage would be to acquire the necessary aircraft and pitch for oil company contracts.
At the earliest, Bond could be back ferrying North Sea offshore workers next year. This would mean re-establishing a presence in Aberdeen.
It is understood that oil companies will welcome Stephen and Peter Bond back as they would restore greater competition to the UK sector of the North Sea, which is now dominated by just two companies - Bristow and Scotia, which is part of Canada’s CHC Helicopter Corporation.
Although the Competition Commission gave the $100 million 1999 CHC takeover of Bond and Norwegian parent Helicopter Service Group the green light, oil company bosses were then privately worried that the cost of North Sea air logistics services would rise because the number of providers had been cut to just two.
An industry source told The Scotsman yesterday that the Bond brothers were looking at the idea of re-entering the North Sea following approaches by oil companies. It is not known whether are also looking at developing a presence in other offshore oil and gas markets, such as West Africa, where a string of huge discoveries have been made over the past few years.
However, a spokesman for the Bonds declined to be drawn on their plans, saying only that the brothers would "clarify" their intentions next week.
The Bond Helicopters livery effectively disappeared from the North Sea when the business was merged into CHC’s, leading to around 100 job losses in Aberdeen.
Even though the Bond, which the brothers set up during the early years of the North Sea, was acquired by the Norwegian company in 1994, its aircraft retained their distinctive cheerful red livery.
Despite exiting offshore air logistics in 1999, the Bonds kept their privately-owned UK onshore business. This specialises in the provision of twin-engined helicopters for ambulance services, including in Scotland, plus police, offshore lighthouse servicing support, tanker pilotage transfers and general charter.
Bond brothers plan a N Sea helicopter return
Two years after they bowed out of North Sea air logistics following the takeover of their business by Canadian interests, helicopter entrepreneurs, the Bond brothers, are preparing for a comeback.
They have set up a new company named Bond Offshore Helicopters. If the brothers finally commit, the next stage would be to acquire the necessary aircraft and pitch for oil company contracts.
At the earliest, Bond could be back ferrying North Sea offshore workers next year. This would mean re-establishing a presence in Aberdeen.
It is understood that oil companies will welcome Stephen and Peter Bond back as they would restore greater competition to the UK sector of the North Sea, which is now dominated by just two companies - Bristow and Scotia, which is part of Canada’s CHC Helicopter Corporation.
Although the Competition Commission gave the $100 million 1999 CHC takeover of Bond and Norwegian parent Helicopter Service Group the green light, oil company bosses were then privately worried that the cost of North Sea air logistics services would rise because the number of providers had been cut to just two.
An industry source told The Scotsman yesterday that the Bond brothers were looking at the idea of re-entering the North Sea following approaches by oil companies. It is not known whether are also looking at developing a presence in other offshore oil and gas markets, such as West Africa, where a string of huge discoveries have been made over the past few years.
However, a spokesman for the Bonds declined to be drawn on their plans, saying only that the brothers would "clarify" their intentions next week.
The Bond Helicopters livery effectively disappeared from the North Sea when the business was merged into CHC’s, leading to around 100 job losses in Aberdeen.
Even though the Bond, which the brothers set up during the early years of the North Sea, was acquired by the Norwegian company in 1994, its aircraft retained their distinctive cheerful red livery.
Despite exiting offshore air logistics in 1999, the Bonds kept their privately-owned UK onshore business. This specialises in the provision of twin-engined helicopters for ambulance services, including in Scotland, plus police, offshore lighthouse servicing support, tanker pilotage transfers and general charter.
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Of course the Oil Industry wants another player at Aberdeen. I can't however see the Bond brothers succeeding as I can't see any of the present Aberdeen captains jumping ship to join the Bonds. In fact at present pilots are leaving Bond AS to join Scotia. There are interesting times ahead in the offshore industry and it is fairly certain that a large pay award is imminent. While this may not all be reflected in the final salary scheme that most captains are on this will be a powerful disincentive for most captains not to consider leaving their present employer. Bond was a reasonable company to work for in the early 90s but having something else to compare it with shows it was not great. I would say that most ex-Bond pilots would say that they are better off under Scotia as there are now overtime payments and much better travel allowances than under Bond. So no captains no offshore company.
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Yes, I agree that Bond was a good company in the early 90's and the paint scheme is still the best on the North Sea! They really lost the plot though when it came to looking after their employees - the arrogance with which they regarded the workforce was,and still is breath-taking. Nothing seems to have changed - witness the recent rapid rise in resignations! No pilot in their right mind would accept the Bond regime until they - Bond management - recognise that workers want more than a pay packet at the end of the month but some regard for the vital part they play in the industry. Perhaps they will set up in West Africa, they're welcome to it!
One thing Bond did provide the pilot workforce was job security. They did this by expecting and getting flexibility from the workforce. While the other two operators went through their hire and fire cycles Bond never made a pilot reduntant despite several lean periods. What Bond never quite got right was their salaries. They always lagged behind. They did however have a good pension scheme - you got good value for your contributions.
The Bonds' sell out to HKS was the turning point in the managements ability to keep the workforce with them. The directors got very involved with building defences against "attack" from the Norwegians and took their eye off the workforce and its aspirations.
Also, it was very easy to keep moral up in an expanding Company with new a/c arriving and plenty of oportunity for promotion or change of base or a/c type. This changed when the North Sea peaked.
As to the Bonds coming back - I think they will get pilots because the Bonds (with the oil companies behind them)will pay what it takes to get them - and it might not take much because Bristow or (more likely) Scotia will have to lay off pilots when the oil companies take work away from them to give to Bond.
The Bonds will not however get the same sort of flexible workforce as they had in the early days unless they significantly improve pay and conditions and buy the flexibility and willingness they want. But if they pay the rate needed then they will get the people they want.
[ 16 September 2001: Message edited by: roundwego ]
The Bonds' sell out to HKS was the turning point in the managements ability to keep the workforce with them. The directors got very involved with building defences against "attack" from the Norwegians and took their eye off the workforce and its aspirations.
Also, it was very easy to keep moral up in an expanding Company with new a/c arriving and plenty of oportunity for promotion or change of base or a/c type. This changed when the North Sea peaked.
As to the Bonds coming back - I think they will get pilots because the Bonds (with the oil companies behind them)will pay what it takes to get them - and it might not take much because Bristow or (more likely) Scotia will have to lay off pilots when the oil companies take work away from them to give to Bond.
The Bonds will not however get the same sort of flexible workforce as they had in the early days unless they significantly improve pay and conditions and buy the flexibility and willingness they want. But if they pay the rate needed then they will get the people they want.
[ 16 September 2001: Message edited by: roundwego ]
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So what if Bond do return, who is going to work for them for less than the current ongoing negotiated pay rates?
More importantly, where are they going to get the pilots from, thin air?
More importantly, where are they going to get the pilots from, thin air?
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There is an element of unreality about all this.
Bond, at the moment, is a company that badly needs to consolidate. See above for the reports of the number of pilots that have left in the last year (a fifth of their pilot workforce in the last year and more to come). They are already looking at putting a whole heap of IR training to Bristows because they can't do them as a reult of these losses (and Bristows has a 12-15 month waiting list, according to the gossip). They are also having problems retaining/getting engineers.
I'd also like to know where they will get pilots for any UK offshore operation (if this is the sector that is being considered). To get pilots from Scotia or Bristows they will have to pay _more_ to get people to move: how will this make the North Sea a more competitive environment for the oil operators? And competition kind of misses the point -- there aren't enough pilots as it is; adding another operator will just add to the inefficiency in the system (e.g. another set of pilots skimmed off to do headquarters/training functions).
I wouldn't like to underestimate the Bond brothers (well, one of them, anyway) but I'll believe all this when I see it. It will be interesting to see the further details of their plans next week.
What and when is the next big contract up for renewal in the North Sea?
Bond, at the moment, is a company that badly needs to consolidate. See above for the reports of the number of pilots that have left in the last year (a fifth of their pilot workforce in the last year and more to come). They are already looking at putting a whole heap of IR training to Bristows because they can't do them as a reult of these losses (and Bristows has a 12-15 month waiting list, according to the gossip). They are also having problems retaining/getting engineers.
I'd also like to know where they will get pilots for any UK offshore operation (if this is the sector that is being considered). To get pilots from Scotia or Bristows they will have to pay _more_ to get people to move: how will this make the North Sea a more competitive environment for the oil operators? And competition kind of misses the point -- there aren't enough pilots as it is; adding another operator will just add to the inefficiency in the system (e.g. another set of pilots skimmed off to do headquarters/training functions).
I wouldn't like to underestimate the Bond brothers (well, one of them, anyway) but I'll believe all this when I see it. It will be interesting to see the further details of their plans next week.
What and when is the next big contract up for renewal in the North Sea?
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PC: I don't know who Bristow's have in their queue, I'm afraid. The news was only passed to me via someone who had spoken to one of the IR candidates that Bond have.
Maybe someone else knows more?
Maybe someone else knows more?
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There was a rumour floating around several months ago that Scotia were going to sell their Blackpool, Humberside, etc. operation to Bond... Maybe that, or something similar, would be an easy way back into the market for them.
Ally1987 (and many others I suspect) is missing a major issue in his post of 16 September 2001 at 11:29. Bond will only need pilots if they get work on the North Sea. As there is very little new work around, they will only get this work if an oil company terminates an existing contract with CHC or BHL and gives it to Bond ( I don't believe CHC would willingly sell anything to Bond).
I suspect one of the majors is going to give Bond a significant part of their existing work at the expense of CHC. The oil companies have been extremely dissatisfied at the poor service they have been getting and yes, we know it is mainly their fault due to them driving the rates down but the rates have been going up recently. The oil companies find themselves in the same situation as they did in the 70's - paying rising rates for a service which is not getting better. CHC is, in the oil Companies' mind inflexible, lacking in initiative and not reactive to their needs. They are desperate for more competition. I think Bond is in a good position to charge premium rates.
When CHC looses contracts it will have a surplus of pilots. TUPE rules will apply and Bond will be obliged to take on the redundant pilots. Bond will probably cherry pick but it will have to pay the going rate. That is why it is important that any pay deal is finalized sooner rather than later.
I suspect one of the majors is going to give Bond a significant part of their existing work at the expense of CHC. The oil companies have been extremely dissatisfied at the poor service they have been getting and yes, we know it is mainly their fault due to them driving the rates down but the rates have been going up recently. The oil companies find themselves in the same situation as they did in the 70's - paying rising rates for a service which is not getting better. CHC is, in the oil Companies' mind inflexible, lacking in initiative and not reactive to their needs. They are desperate for more competition. I think Bond is in a good position to charge premium rates.
When CHC looses contracts it will have a surplus of pilots. TUPE rules will apply and Bond will be obliged to take on the redundant pilots. Bond will probably cherry pick but it will have to pay the going rate. That is why it is important that any pay deal is finalized sooner rather than later.