History

Exploration Logistics is a result of the unique blend of military and remote site experience of its directors and was founded in 1986. Mark Tomlins and Jim Searight both served with the Special Boat Squadron and Mike Jaques had extensive experience of working with the British Antarctic Survey. The directors' backgrounds mean that Exploration Logistics understands the needs and requirements of companies operating in remote and hazardous environments and enjoys the challenges that they produce! These combined interests and experiences have positioned the company as an international leader in the provision of remote site medical and safety solutions.

HSE consultants and mountaineering support were among the first services provided. Exploration Logistics soon gained a reputation as a company that delivered expert project management to oil and gas companies' field operations. This initial experience is the reason that the company remains a world leader in the provision of these services to this industry.

The management team has tailored the company's solutions to perfectly solve the niche problems of its clients and as the company expanded organically, different divisions were formed that specialised in particular services.

Safety services and driver training
Driving related accidents have long been a concern for international companies and their contractors due to the high risk of long-term injury and death. For this reason Exploration Logistics has provided driver training services since the late 1990s but in 2004 it emerged as a stand-alone service. The Exploration Logistics brand now has two distinct services: EXLOGS SAFETY SERVICES providing HSE and mountaineering support and EXLOGS DRIVER TRAINING.

Mine clearance
For companies operating in areas of former conflict the issue of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) invariably raises its head. In 1988 Exploration Logistics won a contract to clear mines and UXO in Egypt and its specialist demining division, MineClear International, was deployed. A few years later in Zimbabwe, Colonel Lionel Dyck formed a company called Mine-Tech, which started out clearing mines on the Zimbabwean border. Both companies grew in size, expertise and reputation over the next decade and worked together on several projects. The natural synergy of the two companies led to a merger in 2001 that created MineTech International, which is now one of the leading demining and UXO clearance companies in the world and has recently been awarded a substantial contract in Sudan.

Medical services
Medical services have been provided by the company since its inception. By the early 1990s the company had established itself as a provider of medical services to exploration companies in the oil and gas industry working in austere and remote environments. When a project is taking place in the middle of the desert or a vessel is working in the middle of the ocean, access to Western standard medical care is a necessity for an expatriate work force. In 1996 Frontier Medical Services Ltd was created as a division of Exploration Logistics providing a proactive approach to improving the health of employees. Clients now include some of the largest offshore seismic contractors as well as military and non-governmental organisations working in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. As part of a global expansion strategy to enhance the scope and quality of services available in Canada, Exploration Logistics acquired Exploration Medical Services of Calgary in 2008 which now operates under Frontier Medical.

One-stop-shop
Many of Frontier's clients needed assistance sourcing medical supplies and equipment as they were operating in such isolated locations. Initially Frontier provided this service. In 2001 Exploration Logistics began building its first online company, medekit.com, to provide an accessible and easy solution to purchasing medical supplies, equipment and consumables online. This meant that orders could be taken within any time zone and an efficient service could be created for companies working in remote areas. medekit.com was created as a one-stop online shop that delivers products in a timely manner anywhere in the world, providing peace of mind procurement for clients.

Whilst Exploration Logistics continues to provide services to its main client base within the oil and gas industry, the company has been able to successfully promote its skills and resources to provide the same high level of service to the construction industry and humanitarian organisations. The extensive military experience of the current directors has also been a benefit in managing some of the larger contracts with various military and government organisations.

Exploration Logistics is the sole source supplier for many of its clients, which is evidence of an excellent reputation that has been established as a result of its breadth and depth of experience, its specialist personnel and its strategic management. The company remains management owned with a hands on team whose members continue to get excited about the constant new challenges that clients put before them.