STOCKTON
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 markets . Our clients will thus benefit from an unmatched
A welder at work on one of Paralloy ’ s current contracts .
Engineering the future today
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 world-class 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 on 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 .”
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
Casting taking place at Paralloy ’ s Billingham site .
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 .”
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