James Fisher SME Testing, a part of James Fisher and Sons plc group, is a broad-based engineering firm that specialises in load measurement and sensor based safety technology.

Established in 1965 James Fisher SME Testing (formerly JF Strainstall) has developed more than 45 years’ experience in the manufacturing of standard  and bespoke load cells. It also assists industries through operations by ensuring structures, equipment and infrastructure are safe to use. The Managing Director of SME Testing, Simon Everett, commented on the developments saying:

With a focus on technology and engineering expertise, JF SME Testing has mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering capabilities available in-house to consistently develop new products and technology.

Working with a diverse range of customers across a variety of market sectors, ranging from oil majors, EPCs, service companies and lifting equipment firms, JF SME Testing is proud of its ability to find solutions to even the most complex of demands due to its dedication to customer service and expansive knowledge in load monitoring and environmental applications.

The world's leading supplier of load monitoring solutions

Load monitoring has always been at the centre of JF SME Testing’s activities, but there has been increasing interest in the oil and gas sector. Using its offshore and marine experience, the company provides integrated management solutions from its range of information and control outputs. A recent product developed by JF SME Testing is the Vessel Motion Monitoring System (VMMS), which monitors transfer boat movements. Its primary function is to enable the safe transfer of personnel from vessel to vessel/structure; it can also provide a more comprehensive monitoring system and has widespread applications from operations in the offshore oil and gas industry to the offshore wind turbine industry.

Shell Prelude - the world’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project:

Another state-of-the-art product that JF SME Testing is due to deliver is its quick release mooring hook (QRMH) system for the Shell Prelude project, the world’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project.

The FLNG will be deployed at Shell’s Prelude gas field, 120 miles offshore Western Australia, where it will be permanently moored for approximately 25 years. JF SME Testing will supply the vessel’s QRMH systems and an instrumentation package to provide the safe and quick mooring of LNGs to the FLNG. The mooring loads will also be monitored by the firm in real-time by strain gauged load pins that have been incorporated into the QRMHs, enabling each mooring line to be pre-tensioned to satisfactory load values as well as providing data to protect line performance. Digital signals from the hook sensors are transmitted to the FLNG control room, where mooring line tension is displayed and visual and audible alarms are provided in the event of under/overloads. Furthermore, the QRHs are fitted with remote release to enable an emergency release from the control room.

This project follows JF SME Testing joining forces with sister company Fendercare Marine, also part of the James Fisher group of companies, in 2012. It is a mutually beneficial partnership that further enhances both companies’ prospects to develop a stronger foothold in the oil and gas industry.

Following this project with Shell and future expectations of growth in the LNG market, JF SME Testing has invested in a 10,000 square foot facility dedicated to the production of jetty systems.

Over the coming years JF SME Testing aims to continue improving the solutions it can offer customers by investing in new product research and development, which will enhance opportunities for international growth.