50 new jobs as Ilkeston firm lands record-breaking contract

An Ilkeston welding and engineering company has created 50 new jobs after winning its largest-ever contract.

Rayden Engineering has started work on a contract worth several million pounds. It is principal contractor on the project for Southern Gas Networks, a company which distributes natural and green gas to millions of homes and businesses across Scotland and the Southeast of England, and which is carrying out works in Buckinghamshire.

The work being done by Rayden on behalf of Southern Gas Networks involves diverting 4.5 kilometres of 600mm diameter high pressure gas pipeline plus constructing a full above ground installation (AGI) including a pressure reduction station.

Work being undertaken by Rayden also comprises pipeline welding, including hot-tapping (live gas operations) and deep excavation and trenchless crossings under existing infrastructure.

All pre-fabrication works by Rayden are being done at the company’s base in Wentworth Street, Ilkeston.

Set up in 1979, Rayden specialises in making and installing high pressure pipework systems; and operates in specific market sectors such as the gas, oil, petrochemical and water industries.

The company was employing 70 staff before this latest contract, which has created an extra 50 highly-skilled jobs, some in Ilkeston but the majority on site. Most of the new positions have already been filled.

Managing director Richard Hayden said: “We are delighted to have won this contract, with our tender beating those of half a dozen other bidders”.

“It’s the icing on the cake for a great start to 2018 and comes on top of a very busy order book anyway.

“It gives me immense pleasure to know that this specialised industry has sufficient confidence in our ability to award us this contract.”