Member Article

Northern Engineers and Fabricators Ltd enjoys successful first quarter

A Darlington-based engineering firm is hoping to crack the European market, following an impressive start to 2015.

Northern Engineers and Fabricators Ltd has enjoyed a successful first quarter, bringing in new members of staff, achieving the ISO9001 quality standards system and predicting a 50% rise in overall turnover.

The growth has been thanks in part to an order of four new shuttle extraction systems, a shuttle is a small vehicle that is placed in each aisle of the distribution centres and is programmed to retrieve items from the racking and to deliver them to designated conveyors which then take them to despatch areas.

The orders have come from two different logistics companies for clients including Asda, Tesco and TK Max amongst others.

Those orders, which are worth £80k each, could be rolled out globally if they prove to be successful.

Director Garry Ingoldsby said: “We were invited to tender for this particular system by one client, and then a second company in the same industry asked for us to do one for them as well.

“From those four orders we anticipate at least another four, and from there it could be rolled out globally.

“We’re anticipating going to Poland in the near future in the hope of cracking the European market.

“The product we have designed is confidential, but it is basically an improvement on a system which has been in place in warehouses and is for the removal and maintenance of the shuttle that carries products around the warehouses.

“We have worked through teething problems to get the system operational, and the early feedback has been very positive.

“It is quicker, easier to use and more productive than the previous system which was in place.

“This could be a very lucrative product for us in the long-term.”

The boost to the firm’s order book has resulted in three new team members being introduced to the fabricators and welders, and there are also plans in place to recruit an apprentice.

Gary added: “It has been a busy start to 2015, but we’re heading in the right direction and we have high hopes for the future.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →