Defence deal boost for family-run firm

Sheet-metal fabricator Allsops, which is based in Honley, near Huddersfield, has secured a 290,000 order to produce four naval landing pontoons for the Ministry of Defence.

The family-owned firm, which dates from 1959, hopes to find further work in the defence sector.

Andy Jowett, the sales marketing manager at Allsops, said: "The Ministry of Defence requested the pontoons be fabricated to help with the loading of their surface fleet in one of their naval dockyards.

"Due to the shallow water, large vessels are unable to dock, so, with the pontoons in place, they will allow smaller naval vessels to load up and replenish the large ships at sea."

The main pontoon fabrications weigh in at 45 tonnes each, with a tonne of paint required to coat the structure.

Mr Jowett added: "This contract has been a wonderful challenge for the Allsops' workforce, enabling them to apply a wealth of their sheet-metal experience and knowledge in an uncharted working arena. Each platform is decked out with robust horn cleats, bollards, naval furnishings and walkways.

"Although we've had recent success, we're not going to become complacent – we've made a 2m investment in a state-of-the-art laser and a new robotic welder. When dealing with the defence sector, one of the biggest challenges is finding a way of getting a foot in the door and knowing the right people to talk to.

"The MOD is over the moon about how we have taken precision sheet metal to new heights. We serve a wide range of disciplines and the defence sector could potentially become 30 per cent of the business.

"Our turnover is 8m, which is about the same as last year, and we have around 110 staff. We want to keep growing by servicing our customers and focusing on lean manufacturing which is sustainable.

"It's a family-owned company and 90 per cent of the staff are engineers who live locally. A lot of them have been with the company for more than 10 years – we don't have a big turnover of staff."

The company also supplies galley furniture for boats used by the MOD.

Mr Jowett added: "We are also fortunate in having two blue chip customers who are due to sign long-term agreements. We are benefiting from being so diverse. When one market takes a bit of a nosedive, hopefully, another one will be prospering.

"We feel optimistic because of the range of projects we are involved with.

"We sell a number of components to France, but most of our work is in the UK."

The company is based on the former site of the Hope Bank pleasure ground, which once had a boating lake, bear pits and helter-skelters.

Allsops are assembling the pontoons, which can be used immediately.

Allsops has also revealed that it plans to grow its 80,000 sq ft base in Honley in response to rising demand for its services.

The company is adding to its assembly area and expects the work to be finished by the spring.

Stephen Fennell, Allsops' business development director, said: "This increase in size of our factory has been planned since the summer of 2009.

"When complete, we'll obviously have greater assembly capabilities which will mean we'll be able to undertake more projects simultaneously, which will improve our efficiency and service to our customers.

"We hope this move will tell our existing and potential customers that, despite the challenges that have been facing the manufacturing industry over the last year or so, we're committed to enhancing our business and the service we provide."

Allsops recently carried out work for a client which is redesigning all the British showrooms for a global car manufacturer.

Allsops has worked with the customer to develop panel work, light fittings and signage.

The company's other projects have included work to develop hi-tech mail sorting machinery which is being used around the world.

Allsops stepping out

Allsops' products are being displayed around the UK, thanks to a challenge from Photo-Me International to work on a range of karaoke machines.

The world's leading photo-booth manufacturer selected Allsops to make 80 booths which are being unveiled around the country.

Stephane Lericolais, technical director of Allsops, said:"To be given the opportunity to showcase the quality of work we produce to such a wide audience is a huge opportunity for us.

"There is no doubt that the booths will be a hit and with a large number of people expected to use them we

knew the quality had to be spot on."