Global Remote: Helming The Ndt Sector Towards An Advanced Future

As the fulcrum of quality assurance management, non-destructive testing (NDT) has been instrumental in dodging catastrophes, mainly in the fields of oil & gas equipment, pipelines, and infrastructure. Especially in Bahrain, which is replete with age-old equipment and assets, the need for non-destructive testing methodologies to keep the assets in good standard has become more important than ever. Additionally, with the upheaval in the number of construction, expansion, and manufacturing projects coupled with the investment of the Bahrain government and international agencies, the NDT domain has witnessed a considerable increase in demand. “We are in a country that is witnessing a dramatic development driven by quality that is in tune with international standards. So, that is where our activities of NDT inspections come into the picture”, shares Tony Nellicken, Executive Director of Global Remote, a global service provider of conventional as well as advanced NDT services. Branching out in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar from its group by the same name, Global Remote Bahrain today sits proudly as a leading player, occupying a 30-40 percent market share through its sincere and cost-effective endeavors to cater to the NDT industry in the region.

With major focus on Energy, Civil and Marine sectors, Global Remote has created a niche in enabling comprehensive NDT services for Structures and Assets Above the ground, On the ground, and Under the water. Apart from that, the company also provides unparalleled services in heat treatment, industrial rope access, underwater commercial diving-enabled inspection and maintenance services, tank calibration, settlement surveys, and human resources services. Touted as one of the pioneers in the rope access industry, was the first company in Bahrain to be registered with the IRATA and the first company to bring industrial rope access services to India in the mid-2000s.

Tony Nellicken, Executive Director

Keeping integrity, safety, and quality at the core of the operation, the multi-disciplinary team, covering the top management to the technicians, of Global Remote devises services that are tailor-made to the conventional and sophisticated requirements of the clients, without compromising the international standards and codes of conduct. “Our uniqueness lies in the adequate number of our technically-qualified resources and our portfolio of the latest equipment and consumables. To keep up with the international standards and new technologies from the manufacturers, we always consider a period of 3 to 5 years to rotate and upgrade the older equipment. We are currently concentrating on acquiring more advanced NDT equipment and projects”, proclaims Naresh Kumar Gugan, Operations Manager, Global Remote (Bahrain). Explaining it further, Tony adds, “We have regular briefings and debriefings alongside periodical reviews, training, audits, and external inspections to ensure all individuals are up-to-date, and following the set policies and protocols”. While specific resources are allocated and rotated from project to project, every stage is verified by the senior veterans within the organization and some by clients.

Global Remote offers comprehensive turnaround services by deploying its diverse team, who are flexible to work in any condition at any location at any time, aiding the client’s convenience. The technical personnel goes through extensive training by an adept team of management, which is headed by Naveen Seth, a senior ASNT NDT Level 3 Inspector. This is reflected in the deep expertise of the team in handling and controlling NDT practices. Through regular follow-ups, they also make sure the work compliments the clients’, Global Remote’s, and international standards. Considering the possible hazards of sensitive activities like radiography, the company places equal emphasis on the technical team’s safety, thereby living up to its motto of ‘zero is possible’, in terms of zero accidents and incidents. The team also has to undergo constant HSE, safety drills, and training to gear up for potential emergencies.

Road Map to Success

The main group of Global Remote started its primary operations in Hong Kong in 2007 and was relocated to Chennai, India, in 2009. Slowly, the footprints started expanding to Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. Although the onslaught of COVID stunted growth slightly in the regional realm, the enterprise has managed to scale up with its revised business format. Additionally, the company has been operating through its partner offices in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Oman, Turkmenistan, and the USA, serving a growing client base across all the countries and has gained strong support from major plants and industries. With such a positive perspective, Global Remote is currently rearing up to expand to more GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Jaison P.I, Managing Director

Responsible for the Global Remote group’s overall expansion into new areas within the energy sector, Jaison has 28 years of experience working in the sector internationally. In his professional career, he has also headed multi-level EPC projects, for both onshore and offshore in the oil and gas industry, covering inspection and asset integrity management. He is qualified as a mechanical engineer and is accredited by a variety of international bodies, including, API, ASME, BGAS, and IRATA.

Tony Nellicken, Executive Director

An astute entrepreneur, Tony is a versatile businessman with interests across Middle East and Africa, spanning various industrial segments of oil & gas, refineries, mining and engineering. With 25 years of hands-on experience, this executive director foresees and spearheads the overall management, expansion, and execution of the business of Global Remote. He has also conceived, structured, and administered successful entities both in the business field and socio-cultural sector in the past years in Bahrain.