Member Article

New face on Express board

One of the UK’s largest precision engineering businesses, Express Engineering, has bolstered its board with the appointment of a leading industry figure – Ally MacDonald - as a non executive director.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector and a background in engineering, Mr. MacDonald brings a wealth of knowledge Express’ drive for business growth.

The current Chairman of Newton Aycliffe based Tekmar has also held executive management positions at Wellstream and Technip – where he was Managing Director of the DUCO umbilicals business. An engineer by trade, he graduated with an honours degree in mechanical engineering.

He said: “It is an attractive challenge to be joining the board of an ambitious company which, through its industry-leading technology and established track record, has significant opportunities to continue to expand and evolve. The company has enjoyed an exceptional growth story to date and I look forward to helping to build on this success and further develop the business.”

The move comes shortly after Express Engineering secured a capital injection from mid-market private equity investor LDC to accelerate its expansion strategy. LDC has taken a minority equity stake in the business as part of the transaction.

It also recently acquired the trade and assets of the Stokesley-based engineering business Burdon Limited and investment in this site is planned.

Since its launch, 40 years ago, Express has grown to become a globally recognised contract manufacturing company. From its 16,000 square metre manufacturing facilities on the Team Valley at Gateshead and 5,500 square metre factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the 375 strong workforce supplies precision engineering services to the aerospace, sub sea oil and gas exploration and production and power generation sectors.

For the financial year ending March 2013, the combined group recorded revenues of around £30 million represented an almost three-fold increase in business since 2010.

Said Managing Director, Nigel Davison: “We are well placed to continue our growth in the years ahead and Ally’s expertise and knowledge will certainly assist with that plan. We welcome him on board.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .