UK welding consumables firm looks to grow

The firm has managed an annual growth rate of 10 - 12% over the past five years and wants to steadily increase its turnover to £20million in the next five.

Managing Director Paul Houston joined WB Alloys in 1994 and in 2015 acquired the business through an Allied Irish Bank (GB) funded management buyout. Since then, Paul has restructured the business and embarked on an ambitious growth plan.

While some of WB Alloys’ traditional markets, such as oil and gas and renewable energy, have declined, the firm’s UK and international network, process and product expertise, R&D and business model have protected its growth.

Paul Houston explained: “While some of the markets we were operating have declined overall by around 25 - 30%, WB Alloys has maintained growth.

“We have continued to grow our customer base and added value chain in construction, defence, nuclear decommissioning and aerospace to combat the drop in energy revenue.

“Long-term nuclear energy contracts are now beginning to bear fruit, with Hinkley Point C now under construction and nuclear decommissioning projects taking off.

“We have two manufacturing centres, in Renfrew and in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, and a global network through our partners. The next step is to ramp up our organic growth and acquire businesses that can support our operations and enhance our offer to customers.

“WB Alloys is the last welding consumable manufacturer in the UK, and there is definitely an appetite from customers to ‘buy British’.”

Sharan Sloan, relationship manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) said: “Since Allied Irish Bank (GB) agreed to finance Paul’s management buyout two years ago, the company has continued its steady growth. Within four months we had a finance agreement ready for Paul, based on his experience, the company’s history and our assessment of its potential.

“Paul has invested in WB Alloy’s growth and reinvigorated its business practices so that it can stand up to the challenges of the marketplace and the wider economy. WB Alloys is a fantastic success story for Scottish manufacturing, and as a bank we are proud to have played a part in its development.”

WB Alloys employs 28 people in the UK. It is headquartered in Drumchapel, north west of Glasgow; has two manufacturing facilities in Renfrew and UAE and two depots in Aberdeen and Tavistock (Devon). The firm also has partner companies in USA, Italy, Norway, Baku, Belgium and Australia.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/25072017/uk-welding-consumables-firm-looks-to-grow/