Atlas Copco’s custom engineering business, Systems Hemel Hempstead, is targeting significant growth under the leadership of newly-appointed general manager Sebastien Bidault. The business, which designs and assembles customised compressed air and gas packages for energy, petrochemical and other demanding industries worldwide, is one of six global competence centres operated by Atlas Copco. The general manager of the UK site believes its specialist capabilities and experience could open up opportunities across an increasingly diverse range of industry sectors.

“Systems Hemel Hempstead has exceptional facilities and technical talent, which is why we have fulfilled projects for customers as far afield as Kazakhstan and Papua New Guinea,” said Bidault. “However, I believe there is now an opportunity to further extend our reach, not only in the oil and gas markets we have traditionally served but in other industries where there is a need for large-scale air and gas packages that are sufficiently sophisticated to meet unique requirements and sufficiently robust to withstand tough working conditions. I am immensely proud to take up this post and look forward to building upon the solid reputation of Systems Hemel Hempstead and upon the recent investments that have been made in upgrading and expanding the facilities.”

Bidault, who has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, began his Atlas Copco career in 2004 as a technical support engineer at Worthington Creyssensac in Méru, in his native France. He later became engineering manager and was involved in the design and production of compressors of 30kW and above.

 After spending time at Atlas Copco’s flagship Airpower facility in Belgium, Bidault moved to Alabama in 2010 to assist with the integration of the newly-acquired Quincy Compressors business. As vice-president of engineering, he led the engineering teams of two factories in the US and a third in China.

 Most recently, he was general manager of Houston Service Industries, another company acquired by Atlas Copco.