2024 year marked a significant milestone for Secc as the company celebrated its 20th anniversary. This moment provided an opportunity to reflect on the core values that shape its operations and product designs: delivering innovative solutions through robust R&D and meticulous product development.
In addition to celebrating its legacy, 2024 was a transformative year for Secc. It was the first full year under the leadership of Managing Director Steve Higgins. Drawing on his extensive background in new product development, Steve spearheaded a renewed focus on designing, testing, and expanding Secc’s patented coupling solutions into new markets. This effort not only extended the company’s solution portfolio but also enhanced its technological performance with newly patented, in-built designs. Central to this evolution were Secc’s guiding principles of ensuring zero spill during connection and disconnection and prioritising operator safety.
To meet these ambitious goals, Secc expanded its engineering team earlier in the year. Led by Engineering manager Trey Davies, the engineering team quickly took ownership of several key projects, including the design of the new range of ROV Hot Stabs. ECOFLOW introduces a valved hot stab solution with advanced features such as check valves for or Secc’s patented sleeve and piston valve mechanism for static and flow applications. These innovative Hot Stabs cater primarily to the subsea decommissioning market, addressing the critical need to prevent hydraulic oil spills and seawater ingress during multiple connections and disconnections. ECOFLOW exemplifies Secc’s commitment to its Zero Spill philosophy and represents a natural extension of its product line.
“This small team of engineers are very talented and hungry to create real products to solve real challenges in the energy sector. We are only just getting started” explains Secc Managing Director Steve Higgins.
Secc’s ECOFLOW+ Valved Hot Stab
Historically, Secc’s patented robust solutions have been tailored for high pressure applications requiring reliability under demanding conditions. However, customer interest in using these solutions for various marine applications revealed a gap in the market. In response, Secc’s engineering team developed new coupling solutions based on its proprietary sleeve and piston technology. These couplings, optimized for marine transfer, offer larger bore diameters, lower design pressures, and unparalleled safety features, including the Zero Spill HIGHFLOW Emergency Release Coupling (HF-ERC). Although Secc have several Marine Couplings in service. This latest generation is a gamer changer. Field testing is underway, promising a breakthrough in safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious connection technology.
Juan Deblas joined Secc as International Sales Manager, tasked with expanding the company’s reach and fostering global partnerships. Secc’s new distribution and service network aims to enhance customer accessibility and deliver tailored connectivity solutions. Notably, Secc’s subsea EQD (Emergency Quick Disconnect) couplings, supported by a rental fleet of valved Midline Weak Links, offer rapid, reliable solutions for urgent subsea needs.
Key alliances were also formed in the marine transfer market, including partnerships with leading reel manufacturers, ship-to-ship transfer providers, subsea decommissioning equipment suppliers and Tier Subsea operators. These collaborations are driving adoption of Secc’s HIGHFLOW Emergency Release Coupling, ECOFLOW stabs, and other innovative solutions.
The year concluded with a move to larger facilities in Cheshire UK, providing expanded space for testing and manufacturing. As well as improved working conditions for Secc’s expanding team. This new site symbolizes Secc’s readiness for the next 20 years, positioning the company to connect with the future and continue delivering excellence in the energy sector.
With a legacy of innovation and a forward-looking approach, Secc is well-equipped to lead the way in coupling and connector solutions for both Subsea and Marine applications.
