X-Cel wins oil contract with US firm

Batley-based X-Cel Precision, part of the £25m annual turnover X-Cel Superturn Group, has invested more than £2m in high tech machinery and specialist training to handle this contract. The group has three factories in Yorkshire – Batley, Sheffield and Rotherham, employing 120 staff.

To fulfil this contract with FMC Global, X-Cel will machine, apply specialised coating to, inspect and assemble more than 500 specialised components every year.

Andrew Taylor, managing director, said that the expected growth in the oil and gas industry means X-Cel Precision should grow its annual turnover of £4m by 20 per cent per year for the next five years.

X-Cel, which makes complex parts for the oil and gas industry, has recruited an extra 10 staff to cope with this contract and it will be recruiting another 10 over the next 18 months, the company said.

Around 70 per cent of the group’s turnover can be attributed to exports, with global markets including the Middle East, Brazil and the Far East. The company declined to reveal the exact value of the contract with FMC Global.

Sheffield Superturn was established by Mr Taylor 30 years ago. Several years ago it bought X-Cel, becoming X-Cel Superturn.

Mr Taylor said: “It has grown steadily over the years, adding more and more equipment.”