PLEXUS Holdings, the oil and gas well technology firm, has underlined its international growth ambitions by recruiting an oil services industry veteran to lead a drive for sales in the USA.

The Aberdeen-based firm has appointed Lawrence Rucinski to the new role of president, North America with a brief of helping to expand its international presence into the key US market.

Plexus’s chief executive, Ben van Bilderbeek, noted Mr Ruckinski would bring valuable experience of the oil and gas field development process in the US and extensive contacts in the industry to his work at the company.

Mr Rucinski has over 30 years’ experience in the subsea oil and gas sector which Plexus noted included senior level leadership roles at American oil services heavyweight FMC Technologies.

“I believe his highly relevant deep-water experience and proven management track record in international and USA business development will be invaluable to us following the launch of our new Python Subsea wellhead,” said Mr van Bilderbeek.

Based in Houston, Texas, Mr Rucinski will be expected to provide the Plexus board with timely feedback on key developments in the US industry to help the company develop its strategy for North America.

Mr van Bilderbeek noted that the depressed oil price and current volatile trading conditions are clearly impacting on the industry.

However, he said the company believes the long term prospects for its POS-GRIP wellhead technology are good. Plexus believes the technology allows firms to connect well components more cost effectively than alternatives.

A former head of FMC’s business in Asia, Mr Rucinski will also play a part in helping Plexus try to maintain the progress it has made in the oil and gas markets of countries such as China and Malaysia.

In July Plexus won £8 million investment from a giant Chinese corporation in a deal that is expected to pave the way for rapid sales growth in Asia.

Plexus licensed the Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services group to manufacture and sell its wellheads in key markets including China and India.