Metalworks defies decline of UK manufacturing

Since the 1980s Britain has seen a steady decline in the metal fabrication industry, however Washington Metalworks reckons it is bucking the trend.

Since the 1980s Britain has seen a steady decline in the metal fabrication industry, however Washington Metalworks reckons it is bucking the trend.

This Gateshead based company started 20 years ago in Washington, Tyne and Wear where local metal fabricator Steve Tate set up his one man and a bench business.

From these humble roots Tate has developed the company into a multi-million-pound organisation, and the future couldn't look better.

Today Washington Metalwork's operates from a massive 8400m2 facility in Felling equipped with state of the art machinery, defying the decline of UK manufacturing.

Additionally, Washington Metalworks has been able to capitalise on the current opportunities for stainless steel product.

Tate and fellow director Ron Barella along with their 120-plus workforce are relishing the challenge of meeting the new demands.

With ongoing investment in sophisticated production systems, Washington Metalworks has developed the perfect formula to tackle these demands and look forward to sustained growth.

From start to finish its cutting edge production area was specifically designed by the University of Durham School of Engineering to help optimise efficiency, all of which is controlled by the revolutionary Manusoft production management system.

Coupled with a highly skilled workforce this has catapulted Washington Metalworks to the forefront of its trade.

Whereas other companies continue to make redundancies, Washington Metalworks is one of the few metal fabrication companies to continue to employ a minimum of three apprentices per year, further helping to secure the long term future of the company.

"Every year we take on at least three or four apprentices because we believe our workforce is the future", said Paul McGowan, Sales Director.

"The company has invested heavily in machinery with systems to ensure every job is completed to the highest standards and to tightest deadlines".

This ongoing process of staying ahead of the competition has enabled Tate and Barella to turn Washington Metalworks into a force with which to be reckoned.

And now in the company's 20th year of trading, it is without doubt that the future's bright, the future's metal.

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