Aramark wins North Sea's ‘longest ever' contract

ARAMARK has scooped what must rank as the longest contract ever awarded for staff catering on an offshore oil platform in the North Sea.

The company already feeds staff on 17 platforms but the contracts are usually for periods of three to five years. Under its new contract for BP's Andrew Field platform, however, Aramark will provide all hotel services for the entire life of the platform.

"We have won the contract for the entire life of the field which will be 20 to 25 years. This is the first time ever there has been a life-of-field contract," said Aramark's Scottish divisional director Andrew Main.

"With this project, BP has challenged every norm. This is also the first contract ever where price was not discussed in the tendering process. BP selected us as being the company that has the best fit with them, and based their decision on our reputation and by looking at how we manage our other sites," he added.

BP has also involved Aramark far earlier than is normal with offshore catering contracts. Although the platform will not begin pumping oil until July next year, Aramark is already involved in planning the galley and mess room.

When the platform is up and running, 14 catering staff will cater for the 72 oil workers on board at any one time. The deal is worth £1m in turnover a year.

The four other companies to bid for the work were Kelvin, CCG, Compass and Chalk.