Diversification proves fundamental to expansion

Gilwood, a family-owned company, opened in Heywood, in Rochdale, in 1963 to produce stainless steel vats for Northern textile mills based across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

But as this sector declined, the company decided to look for opportunities to manufacture bespoke steel pressure vessels for businesses in other industries.

Over the past 20 years, it has begun working extensively with companies operating in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, food, paper and biotechnology industries.
It has also built up a global reputation in the nuclear sector and counts Sellafield among its many customers.

DIVERSIFICATION

Operations manager John Gilmartin - whose grandfather founded the company - said that one of the reasons why the company continues to prosper is because it has evolved to cater for other sectors - in addition to textile manufacturers.

Mr Gilmartin said: "Around 30 years ago, it quickly became apparent to my grandfather and father that work for the textile mills was getting more infrequent.

"But as this sector declined, the business gradually began to focus on others - like petrochemicals and gas - which have achieved strong growth.
“The quality of our products and the precision engineering techniques we use have both ensured that our workload has grown organically through personal recommendations.

"In addition, we have established a world-leading reputation for supplying bespoke steel pressure vessels to the nuclear sector. Our products are exported around the world with the Middle East and America being particularly good markets for us at the moment."

The diversity of the sectors in which Gilwood operates has enabled it to maintain a turnover of £2.6m over the past few years, despite the global economic problems, and it employs a total of 38 staff at its headquarters.

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE

Gilwood undertakes the entire fabrication process on behalf of its clients - from initial design by its team of specialist designers, to fabrication, testing, finishing, installation and customer training.

In addition, the company attributes much of its success to its "highly-qualified and expert team of engineers and technicians" and it constantly invests to improve their skills.

Over the past five years, Gilwood's management team has committed itself to an ongoing investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and software.

Mr Gilmartin said: "In 2008, we made a significant investment in the most powerful water jet cutting machine available and that is now paying dividends for us by bringing in work from major companies who know that we can undertake work to the most precise standards. In 2010, we updated our plasma welding equipment for the same purposes.

"The global economic situation remains tough but by diversifying and investing for the future we've ensured that we are in the best possible position to stay ahead of our competition and provide our clients with world-leading products."