Steel firm ’ s values reflected by its investments through mergers and community outreach
MANUFACTURING
Steel firm ’ s values reflected by its investments through mergers and community outreach
PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH WORDS : DAVE ROBSON
Three core values – innovation , excellence and commitment – are the driving forces behind this steel specialist ’ s remarkable growth journey .
Paralloy Group , which employs around 530 people at its UK sites in Billingham , Middlesbrough and Sheffield , designs and produces specialist stainless steel products for various sectors , including petrochemicals , aerospace , blue hydrogen , turbines and defence , and has a turnover exceeding £ 120m .
And by recently acquiring French global metal processing specialists Manoir Industries , with an annual turnover of € 86 million and nearly 500 employees , with the main site employing 440 people in Pitres , near Rouen , and 60 employees at a smaller UK site Hi-Tech Fabrications in Burton , Paralloy Group has doubled its workforce to more than 1,000 employees with a turnover in excess of £ 200m . The Manoir deal is evidence of Paralloy ’ s continuing commitment to investment and growth . It also continues an exciting 2024 for the firm , having received the prestigious King ’ s Award for Enterprise for Excellence in International Trade .
Of the Manoir merger , Paralloy Group CEO Robert McGowan says : “ This major merger allows us to initiate a new dynamic of investments , growth , and value creation together , to the benefit of both our organisations and their employees . By combining our strengths and capabilities , we offer the global market a much stronger solutions provider to meet the needs of rapidly growing industrial
A welder at work on one of Paralloy ’ s current contracts .
Casting taking place at Paralloy ’ s Billingham site .
Engineering the future
markets . Our clients will thus benefit from an unmatched choice of solutions for reducing their carbon footprint and optimising their efficiency .”
Just four years ago , however , the situation was very different .
Paralloy began its journey of transforming raw elements into worldclass products in 1967 , when it opened its first foundry in Billingham . Fast Forward 50 years and Paralloy underwent a major turning point of a management buyout in 2020 .
That buyout proved to be an inspired move as , in just four years , revenue has increased fivefold , the company has invested millions of pounds in new equipment , infrastructure , capacity and research – and from just 220 employees in 2020 , it has now surpassed the four-figure mark .
As if to emphasise the rapid growth since buyout , Paralloy is currently working on one of its biggest-ever orders – providing key components for the $ 6bn Ras Laffan Petrochemicals site in Qatar .
Its continued growth and expansion has confirmed its place as a major global operator in the specialist steel marketplace .
But while rightly proud of its results , it also continues to put its people and the community at the heart of everything it does .
Apprenticeships , for example , are keenly encouraged to bring local young people into the engineering world .
HR manager Ian Grimes explains : “ As of today , we have 16 apprentices aged from 17 to 20 , but we ’ ll look to increase those numbers because we see it as a pivotal way to provide opportunities to young people and combat the growing skills shortages in the industry .” today
And despite engineering being one of the remaining male bastions of industry – currently , only 12 per cent of the UK ’ s engineering workforce are women – Paralloy is keen to change that , with three female welders among its apprentices .
Mature apprenticeships are also encouraged , with a number of staff taking part in fully funded programmes from NVQs to degrees and even onto PhDs as part of their personal development .
A new and exciting partnership with Future Proof Careers has seen the company liaise with teachers , parents and students to develop interest in the engineering sector and set several young people on the road to rewarding careers . It ' s at this time of year that Paralloy is set to host career days , where students from local schools come in to find out more about the world of industry and engineering .
And for a firm forged on Teesside , its roots to home remain strong , with community initiatives and charitable donations , including sponsoring local community projects such as a safety boat refurbishment for a local yacht club , team kits for youth football and an all-female elite cycling team , registration and outfits for a local dance school and several initiatives with local schools .
With so much going on , it ’ s little wonder that the firm has picked up numerous awards , including Business Growth and Strategy at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards earlier this year – and now , of course , that coveted King ’ s Award .
Robert McGowan adds : “ We have worked really hard to reach a world-class level and this honour will spur us on to achieve further goals , both at home and abroad .”
Visit paralloy . co . uk
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