Lowry’s foundry sold
A MANCHESTER foundry immortalised in a painting by LS Lowry has had its future guaranteed after changing hands.
Mather & Platt’s stainless steel foundry in Newton Heath was captured in the Salford artist’s 1943 painting ‘Going to Work’.
It has been sold by the Weir Group to the Westley Group which says it is now “central to the company’s future plans”, safeguarding some 200 jobs.
The foundry makes components for the oil, gas, pump and valve industry. Its customers include Rolls Royce, Corus and Clyde Pumps.
Westley director, Rob Salisbury, said: “We are proud to have Mathers join our family of companies. Mathers is passionate about working closely with customers and offering superior customer service, and this fits very well with our core values.
“They are privileged to possess a very highly skilled and dedicated workforce, and we will work together with them and the existing management team to grow and serve our customers around the world. This is an exciting acquisition and moves our group’s foundry influence to a Global level.”
The Westley Group, based in the West Midlands, has a turnover of £40m and employs 500 people.
