In the demanding world of subsea operations, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) manipulator arms serve as the “hands” beneath the sea, performing essential tasks in some of the harshest environments. For mission-critical subsea ROV operations, failures are costly and reliability is key.  

Ashtead Technology has established a reputation for delivering high-quality manipulator arm servicing, repairs and rentals. At the heart of this leading capability is George Ewen, a seasoned expert whose technical expertise ensures that Ashtead Technology delivers exceptional standards to its customers.  

“At Ashtead Technology, we understand what’s at stake in subsea operations,” says George. “The reliability of manipulator arms can make or break a mission and that’s why we approach every project with the utmost attention to detail and quality.” 

Ashtead Technology services a wide variety of manipulator arm models including the Schilling Robotics Titan 4, Orion, Rigmaster and Atlas, offering everything from fault detection and diagnostics to full overhauls and rentals. And with a large stock of spare parts, we have the ability to provide a quick turnaround for time critical projects.

“Our capability covers the entire lifecycle of a manipulator arm,” George explains. “That means if a customer comes to us with a fault or a major overhaul requirement, we have the tools, the team and the spares to get it sorted – fast. 

One of the most critical aspects of this is fault finding and identifying both surface-level and deeply embedded issues within manipulator arms, often before they result in operational failure. A manipulator arm is made up of several independent joints and actuators, both rotary and linear style – each with its own set of components, hydraulics and electronics. It’s not a one-size-fits-all system, which means every function and joint is individually assessed and serviced. Our proactive approach can not only extend the lifespan of the equipment but also help customers avoid costly downtime and unplanned maintenance.”  

With over 20 years’ experience working with manipulator arms, George is a leader in his field. His comprehensive understanding of their mechanical and hydraulic systems brings invaluable insight to achieve optimum manipulator performance. His ability to quickly pinpoint and determine issues, often from sight alone, is testament to his extensive hands-on experience. He also plays a key role in mentoring and training the next generation of technicians. “We invest in our people and when a technician understands both the theory and the hardware inside and out, it shows in the quality of the service. We have a strong team of dedicated technicians in our manipulator centre, making us a leading industry player.” 

Under George’s guidance, Ashtead Technology has recently opened a dedicated manipulator centre of excellence, equipped to simultaneously handle up to five manipulator arms at once. Featuring custom testing stands, a dedicated actuator test rig, master controllers and a well-stocked spares inventory, the facility enables rapid diagnostics and swift repair, all under one roof.  

“For our customers, there is a substantial cost saving in regular maintenance rather than purchasing a new asset, so we ensure that every manipulator arm that enters our repair centre follows a structured, high-quality process designed to ensure full functionality.  

Our commitment to excellence is reinforced by strong relationships with the service and technical support teams of leading global manipulator manufacturers. This gives us direct access to the latest technical updates and engineering insights, ensuring our processes are fully aligned with OEM standards. Customers are not only kept informed throughout the process but are also invited to witness the final test in person, offering total confidence in the results.” 

A key strength of our offering also lies in collaboration with our in-house ROV tooling team, allowing Ashtead Technology to offer bolt-on ROV packaged solutions tailored to specific operational requirements. “We’re simplifying operations for our customers and this synergy is ultimately delivering a more cost-effective solution to meet the needs of subsea projects.” 

With our breadth of repeat customers in the offshore and subsea sectors, Ashtead Technology’s reputation for manipulator servicing is built on results. 

“We’ve spent years refining our approach to manipulator arm servicing and we take pride in our fault-finding capabilities, catching issues early and solving them quickly, backed by a stock of mission-critical spares. We’re constantly improving our turnaround times and internal processes, and it’s this dedication that’s helped us build a loyal base of repeat customers who trust us to deliver every time. As we expand our manipulator servicing globally, our commitment to excellence will ensure the same high standards and service quality no matter where we operate in the world.” 

To learn more about our manipulator centre capabilities visit our webpage