ABERDEEN oil services company Wood Group has highlighted its continuing diversification into other sectors by announcing the start of a second construction services contract for a facial tissue and paper towel production site in Ohio.

The new plant is being developed by Italian company Sofidel.

Wood said it had been subcontracted by Gray Construction, the firm selected to design and build the Sofidel facility, to perform all site and infrastructure preparation activities needed for the manufacturing plant.

Michele McNichol, chief executive of Wood’s asset life cycle solutions division in the western region, said: “We are pleased to be building relationships with new customers, such as Sofidel, as we move to support new industries. Our US construction service capabilities continue to grow.”

Wood’s contract for phase-one work on the Sofidel site began last June. This covered site grading and stone placement to establish the required site elevations ahead of construction of the production buildings and pavements, as well as site stabilisation, and sediment and erosion control.

The phase-one contract work took about six months, with Wood noting it had been equivalent to building a concrete floor the size of 74 football fields.

After this initial contract, Gray subcontracted Wood to undertake second-phase work, expected to be completed in October. This covers installation of storm wastewater, sanitary, domestic water, and fire protection water infrastructure, and electrical duct banks, as well as excavation of soil from the building basement.