Combined engineering and geosciences capabilities make for a unique global entity focused on clean energy and climate research

DME Systems Ltd., a subsea engineering firm based in Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, has merged with Woocheen, the two companies announced today. In joining forces with DME, Woocheen is broadening its expertise and capabilities in a way that sets it apart from other enterprises in geosciences, said Woocheen CEO Terry Downes.

“DME is a company of engineers with a history of solving tough subsea problems,” Downes said. “Their world-class expertise, coupled with our geotechnical and geophysical abilities, will give us the in-house capacity to develop unique equipment that is customized for our clients’ needs offshore, nearshore and onshore. It also means we can respond even more quickly and safely when problems inevitably arise while conducting investigations 2,000 meters under water.”

DME Director Darren Coombe said the alliance will enable the company to bring more advanced subsea tools to the geosciences realm and accelerate DME’s already rapid growth. Launched in 2021, the company now has a team of 25 and has moved three times to accommodate its increasing need for space.

“We’re looking forward to fostering ocean and climate health as part of Woocheen, while continuing to serve other customers in the telecommunications and offshore renewables sectors,” Coombe said. “We’re applying our expertise in a new arena. This is an exciting additional playing field for us.”

DME primarily serves the telecommunications and offshore wind industries by building and modifying subsea vehicles and control systems that help clients do work such as lay cables on the seafloor. It brings advanced expertise in automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Woocheen’s geosciences business specializes in offshore, nearshore and onshore geotechnical and geophysical services, bringing analytical expertise to its work to characterize geology in remote, difficult environments such as those where offshore wind energy is being developed and where climate-related research is being done. Woocheen’s Seas Geosciences company has worked closely with DME on the fully automated geotechnical machine Seas uses to sample and test soils on the seafloor.

In acquiring DME, Woocheen is making a noteworthy investment in the north of England, Downes said.

“This makes us a geosciences company that truly embraces engineering,” he said. “It’s important to us to strengthen our presence in this region, which is a significant global hub of offshore industry expertise. It also has a long history of creativity and innovation.”

While DME and Woocheen share a passion for innovation and problem-solving, their shared commitment to giving people the freedom and support to do incredible things is what makes them a great fit, Downes said.

“At Woocheen, we’re using science and engineering to enable people to make good decisions and be the best they can be,” he said. “We choose to work with businesses that genuinely care about people. DME is one of those.”