US engineering firm Collins opens in Salford

A US specialist engineering company has opened an office in Salford, a move that will create nine jobs.

CEI Collins Engineers, part of Chicago-based Collins Engineers Inc, has opened on Michigan Avenue.

The company’s services include rope access inspections, confined space entry and under water examinations of railway bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and CCTV/radio masts.

The company which has had offices in Dublin and Belfast for several years was assisted by inward investment agency MIDAS in its expansion.

Gerry Hennity, Collins’ technical manager for the UK said: “We’ve been looking to expand our UK operations for some time and discussions have been ongoing for more than 12 months with regards to Network Rail’s Civil Examination Framework Agreement – CEFA.

“We’ve recruited nine new staff for our Greater Manchester office and it is intended that the skill-set of the team is not only sustainable for Network Rail but also transferable to other infrastructure sectors.

“In these difficult economic times, we’re hoping to further expand the business and thank MIDAS for their assistance in helping us to achieve this.”

Manchester office manager Gary Hastie addedd: “Our move into Manchester offers a brand new venture for Collins as we develop our client base as a trusted supplier of structures inspections and design services for the North West and the rest of the UK. “

Tim Newns, chief executive of MIDAS said: ““Greater Manchester continues to be a key European centre for engineering and with hundreds of millions of pounds allocated to be spent on transport and infrastructure across Greater Manchester and the wider north of England over the coming decades, it makes absolute sense to leverage Manchester for both the market opportunities and talent availability that the city provides.”