Chem Resist working overtime to meet global demand for tanks

Dewsbury-based Chem Resist Limited is a world leader in the design and manufacture of thermoplastic chemical storage tanks and process equipment.

In addition to established markets in the UK, Algeria, Egypt, Australia and the Middle East, Steve Firth, production manager, said the company is now also fulfilling orders from Holland, Russia and Canada.

Mr Firth said: “The production teams are on full overtime Monday to Saturday at the moment and we’re planning to put on a Sunday shift if things continue as they are.

“I’ve been here at Chem Resist for ten months now and I don’t know what a ‘quiet moment’ is.”

The company has taken two apprentices on board in recent weeks plus an experienced fabricator. Mr Firth confirmed the company is firmly committed to “the apprenticeship route”.

He said: “While steel fabricators are relatively easy to find, we prefer to train our own apprentices for our specialised product.

“We have a highly experienced workforce, many of whom have been with us most of their working life, and we continue to maintain strong links with the area’s technical colleges to help create our next generation of production specialists.”

Neil Williams, company director, said export sales, building on an already healthy domestic order book, are having a positive effect on the bottom line.

He said the company is currently running 10 per cent ahead of projected annual turnover.