We are excited to share that a group from SLPE recently visited Smulders Projects UK in Newcastle upon Tyne, where they had an immersive, hands-on experience of our work in progress on the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm OSS substructure. This site visit allowed the team to see firsthand the fabrication and assembly of structures they’ve helped design.

Our delegation included Luke, Sam, Miles, Harry, Vince, Tom, Peter, and Omar Zanoli from Geowynd.

Reflecting on the visit, SLPE’s Structural Engineer Miles Newton shared his thoughts: “Being on-site at Smulders Projects UK gave us a truly behind-the-scenes experience. From photographing the jacket we designed to climbing scaffolding to see it from the welders' vantage point, it was fascinating! I got to witness the end result of the design I’ve been working on for over a year, which I’d only seen on a computer screen until now. It’s surreal when a tiny part of a diagram ends up being larger than you are in real life and a thousand times heavier! This trip has been one of my highlights working at SLPE.

“Seeing these structures up close also reinforced how small design choices can impact fabrication. We were able to meet the welders and understand how even minor decisions in the office can affect their work. For example, while secondary steel components might seem insignificant, they often add a lot to the overall cost due to labour. Smart engineering can make a significant difference in time and cost, allowing us to design more efficiently.”

A Word from Luke Jacques, Associate Director of SLPE: “Seeing our designs come to life from concept to structure is uniquely rewarding. It’s an opportunity for the whole SLPE team, providing insights that enhance our work – especially for newer engineers, helping them understand fabrication challenges and approach projects with efficiency from the outset."

This visit was a key moment for SLPE, reinforcing our commitment for all staff to experience hands-on learning, continuous improvement, and seeing projects come to life. For SLPE news and updates on Inch Cape and more, please click here.