Engineering firm lands £60K of orders after CERN visit

MANCHESTER-based Torkington Engineers has secured £60,000 worth of orders following a Department for International Trade market visit to the Switzerland particle physics research centre CERN earlier this year.

Established in 1949, the Trafford Park Torkington manufactures high-quality computer numeric control (CNC) and conventional machine parts and equipment in the oil and gas, chemical, power generation, pharmaceutical, nuclear and water treatment industries.
 
Through its network of expert advisers, DIT helped Torkington Engineers gain a place on the trade mission to CERN in February.
 
Also known as The European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research. The trade mission was organised in conjunction with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

During the trade mission, DIT Switzerland arranged relevant in-country appointments which, along with the wider networking opportunities on offer, led to the company receiving enquiries from several departments within CERN.

The value of orders received at Torkington Engineers to date because of the trade mission is £60,000 with enquiries still coming through on a regular basis.

Clive Drinkwater, the Department for International Trade’s regional director for the North West said: “The dramatic increase in Torkington Engineers’ level of exporting since the visit to CERN shows the importance of such market visits.

“At the Department for International Trade we have a committed North West team that collaborates with colleagues in Switzerland and the SFTC to ensure our engineering firms can take advantage of the opportunities CERN offers.
 
“To win business at CERN firms have to meet the highest scientific standards required. Torkington Engineers’ continued success is proof of its world-class innovation and quality.”

Torkington Engineers’ success is a testament to the success of the Department for International Trade’s Exporting is GREAT campaign. In the adverts, which launched the campaign last year, TV presenter and renowned physicist Professor Brian Cox, explained that CERN was keen to acquire the services of UK engineering companies.

Paul Hulse, Torkington Engineers’ business relationship manager, said: “DIT’s assistance allowed us to engage with CERN in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise have been able to.

“The increased workload has also been superb for our apprentice engineers, who have gained invaluable hand on experience with CNC work.”