In 2024, Bucksburn-based FIS Chemicals made great strides in its ongoing growth and development, both in the UK North Sea market and overseas — spearheaded by new overseas manufacturing capability, strategic partnerships and targeted acquisitions.
A key milestone in this continuing journey was its acquisition of manufacturing rights and IP for Blue Steel Primer — an industry-leading rust conversion product which can revolutionise client operations in even the harshest of industrial environments.
Blue Steel Primer (aka Navy Steel Rust Converter) is a specially formulated anti-corrosive primer designed for use in harsh environments. Its advanced chemistry ensures long-lasting protection against rust and wear, making it an essential product for industries such as offshore oil and gas, marine, construction, and heavy manufacturing. The primer’s ability to enhance adhesion for topcoats also makes it a preferred choice for companies looking to extend the lifespan of their equipment and infrastructure.
Since acquiring the rights in mid-2024, FIS has seen the remarkable impact of this innovative product, first-hand, from its new and existing customers — who rely on reliable supply to protect valuable industrial assets, reduce costs and support efficient operations, particularly at sea.
Kenny Wood, chief executive officer
Kenny Woods, CEO of FIS Chemicals explains: “Blue Steel Primer is a game-changer for any industrial setting where managing rust is essential to success. Its popularity with FIS customers has been rising steadily, and we were excited to complete the acquisition of its IP and manufacturing rights, bringing it fully into the FIS Chemicals portfolio alongside our extensive and specialised product ranges.”
A global energy company, who use Blue Steel Primer extensively in their ongoing offshore activities, explained the cost-saving impact in a recent testimonial: “This product has saved a number of companies hundreds of thousands of pounds when replacing a traditional grit blasting cleaning and three coat system.”
This acquisition marked a strategic expansion of the company’s already extensive product portfolio. By leveraging its depth experience in chemical formulation and distribution, FIS has quickly scaled operations to meet the demands of the market while maintaining the highest standards of quality control and expanding the reach of Blue Steel Primer across multiple sectors. The company’s commitment to ‘Smarter Chemistry’ innovation and customer satisfaction has also driven continued research and development into enhancing the primer’s formula for even greater durability and environmental compliance.
With newly established manufacturing capability in the USA and Middle East, and plans for further expansion, FIS Chemicals is a great example of a North-east Scotland business stretching further and working harder to get closer to its customers and help them tackle their challenges head-on.
Blue Steel Primer typifies the kind of high-performance chemical product that will help them do just that.