TRIDENT ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS: Decades of Engineering Excellence Drive Trident’s Next Phase of Growth

For more than three decades, Trident Engineering Consultants has been a name synonymous with precision, reliability, and a deep-rooted commitment to engineering excellence. Operating from its Glasgow base, this multi-disciplinary design and engineering consultancy has quietly but consistently positioned itself among the most capable partners mainly in oil and gas downstream supporting major clients like Exolum, BP, Certas, Highland Fuels, Vivo Energy, VTTI and many others with a full suite of technical capabilities.

Now, with operations spanning continents and an eye firmly on new market opportunities, Trident is reinforcing its position as an industry leader by reshaping its internal operations, leveraging its technical strength, and advancing into emerging sectors such as renewables.

Managing Director, Callum MacLachlan, laid the foundation for Trident 37 years ago. He remains actively involved in the business and has built a strong reputation both in the UK and international markets.

BUILT ON COMPETENCY

“We are a design and engineering consultancy and we provide multi-disciplinary engineering support on a project-based need,” says Associate Director Chintan Shah. “Most of the time, we run multiple projects, and we can provide full engineering consultancy assistance which includes mechanical, process, civil, structural, electrical, C&I, and more.”

The breadth of expertise in-house at Trident allows the company to support projects of all sizes. But more than that, the firm has matured in a steady and methodical manner, preserving its stability and quality of service — even during volatile times in the industry.

“We cover projects of all sizes and our in-house expertise in oil and gas storage, including aviation industry and distribution is second to none,” Shah says. “We have a few people with the company for more than 30 years and that is a key asset. Our technical competency stands out, and we are well-known for our quality. We have been stable for a long time and we have grown consistently over the years without fast expansion and shrinking.”

“Including our MD Callum MacLachlan, and myself, our core team comprises Head of Process/Mechanical and Director, Fraser Mackie; Director, Scott MacLachlan; EC&I Lead and Associate Director, Grzegorz Swiszcz; Civil Lead, Criag Hollinger; Construction Manager, Ronnie McEwan.”

This deep bench of engineering knowledge, coupled with a consistent and loyal employee base, has been instrumental in building the company’s reputation as a dependable partner for some of the world’s most prominent energy companies.

Shah himself is a frontline leader, combining a technical foundation in mechanical engineering with real-world project execution expertise. “I have a background in mechanical engineering and completed a double master’s from Glasgow Caledonian. I am a Project Delivery Specialist and Associate Director. I am frontline and involved in tendering, execution, and delivery. I am focused on client needs, and I have been with Trident more than seven years now.”

Although rooted in Glasgow, Trident’s footprint is global. With projects live across the UK, East Africa, and Asia, the multidisciplinary team is well-versed in managing complex engineering requirements in diverse regulatory and operational environments.

“We are not only limited to the UK market. I was recently in Kuala Lumpur but working on an East African project — we cover the whole world in terms of geography,” Shah explains.

This international capability is clearly illustrated through Trident’s deepening relationship with Exolum. Since 2020, the company has provided comprehensive support across Exolum’s UK network, designing and delivering a range of infrastructure improvements — notably in storage and distribution. In addition, TEC supports Oil Pipeline Agency (OPA) in a number of projects on the UK fuel pipeline distribution network.

“We handle a number of sites for Exolum across the UK and we handle the full spectrum of service across the storage and distribution network,” says Shah. “This is important – we are fully aware of operations across key sites and we understand where imports come from, how storage works, and where distribution goes.”

Trident’s relationship with Exolum has gone from strength to strength, particularly in the area of water draw off projects — a technically demanding and operationally critical field in aviation fuel storage and distribution.

“We have experience across small and large projects over a number of years, and since 2020 we became much more active with Exolum including water draw off projects. We are the consultant who has designed all of the water draw off sites, and the most recent project was commissioned recently. This is an area where Trident has strong ability and we have grown strongly through our partnership with Exolum.”

Beyond UK shores, the company is also delivering long-term value for clients in East Africa, where it has established a strong reputation for handling full-scope engineering assignments for major energy brands and government entities alike.

GROWING GLOBALLY

“Overseas, we have other key clients that we work with on a regular basis, and we develop skills together. This way, we generate repeat business, and this is a model with which we have had no issues. We are not limited to sites or people, as Trident we work anywhere for clients and we understand their requirements from a goldmine on the DR Congo to projects in St Helena, the Falkland Islands and the Shetlands.”

The East African region has emerged as a critical theatre of operation for Trident, with the company successfully executing large-scale projects in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda — often in close collaboration with national authorities and global operators.

“We are active in East Africa and we work with governments including Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda on major projects alongside local companies. These projects for the local arm of companies like VITOL and Vivo Energy allow us to showcase our multidisciplinary skillset and we want to build a very strong reputation across the region.”

Trident’s contribution includes significant infrastructure projects and a series of successful cross-country pipeline installations.

“We have done a lot of challenging work, including the build of a new LPG terminal from design to commissioning, and Trident has contributed a lot to that booming market in East Africa.

We have recently signed a five-year contract with the government of Uganda, alongside a local partner, and through the UK government, where we will remain a lead engineering consultant. In Kenya, we have been working on pipeline projects and we commissioned a major project last year. We have completed a number of high-profile projects successfully in East Africa, including New Bugesera International Airport (Rwanda), Bottom Loading Conversion (Uganda), PS22 Upgrade (Kenya), and that is something we are very proud of.”

STRUCTURED FOR THE FUTURE

Like all companies, Trident has faced its share of challenges — particularly in the post-COVID world where client structures and procurement patterns have shifted. But far from slowing down, Trident has turned this into a moment of redefinition.

“Since Covid, there have been ups and downs. The downsides include companies restructuring. That has a knock-on effect on the business. The positives include major customers looking to those that they trust, like Trident. and cost benefits using our experience in similar projects in particular the aviation industry with quality assurance demands. We have picked up a number of new clients, and we are picking up more work as they see how we perform.”

A key milestone has been the company’s move into its company-owned — a first in its nearly four-decade history.

“After 37 years, we have purchased our own premises and that is a strong asset looking to the future in Paisley.”

But perhaps most significantly, Trident is now formalising its operational model — splitting its operations into separate divisions to sharpen focus and support new sector entry, particularly in renewables.

“I want to highlight that we are going to amend our structure and create separate divisions. We will separate our engineering, construction, and PPM divisions, and that will allow us to deliver governance easier. Trident remains an engineering consultant and is an expert in downstream oil and gas, but is growing to become more structured and available across various industries. Each division will have accountability for the wider group.”

EYES ON RENEWABLES

This realignment comes at a time when Trident is laying the foundations for long-term involvement in the renewable energy sector. The team is already involved in a feasibility project around sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), again, working in partnership with Exolum.

“We have also started our journey in the renewables space. We are involved in a feasibility project alongside Exolum around SAF and a feasibility study for the handling, storage, and distribution of Hydrogen. 

For Shah and his team, it’s not just about exploring a new market. It’s about evolving without compromising the technical, safety and delivery excellence that has defined Trident since day one.

“We remain optimistic about the coming years because of our strong partnerships.”