North West Business Masters: ‘Makers on the march’

THREE North West companies at the vanguard of leading the country’s economy into growth are on the shortlist for the North West Business Masters Manufacturer category.

The trio competing for tje award sponsored by business advisers Deloitte are: WEMS – a fast-expanding building services company, military bridge manufacturer WFEL and Lancashire’s Fort Vale Engineering.

WEMS is a wireless energy management specialist, formerly known as Adam International.

Last year sales more than doubled to £11.9m and the business moved into operating profit, making £700,000, compared with a £100,000 loss in 2010.

Last year it strengthened its senior management team with former Styles and Wood boss Ivan McKeever joining as CEO and Rickitt Mitchell dealmaker Matthew Bryden-Smith joining as finance director.
 
WEMS claims to be the the world’s only manufacturer and installer of wireless energy management systems, has grown staff numbers from 47 to more than 80 over the last 12 months.

Bridge manufacturer WFEL is another manufacturing success story, and has also been nominated in the International category.

Owned by its management and private equity firm Dunedin, it has supplied 39 armed forces across the world over the last 40 years, and counts the US Department of Defense among its major customers.

Last December it signed one of its biggest-ever orders – a £57m deal with the Swiss government for its dry support bridge. International sales represent more than 90% of the long-standing company’s overall revenues.

It is currently pursuing a dual-track growth strategy focused on new bridge sales to previously untapped markets in Europe, Latin America and the Far East.

Based in Simonstone, Burnley, Fort Vale was founded in 1967 by its chairman Ted Fort and employs around 300 people.

It is a world leading manufacturer of valves and fittings for the road tanker and tank container industries. It exports to a raft of countries including China, allowing companues there to transport gases, chemicals, powders and liquids by road, rail, sea and air.

With exports accounting for 90% of turnover, Fort Vale boats an 80% share of the tank container industry world market.