Hopes of 30-jobs boost after North View buy-in

Jun 24 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

AN engineering business has a new joint managing director who is looking to double annual turnover to £5m, creating a further 30 jobs, on the back of the booming oil and gas sector.

Newcastle-based businessman David Franklin has invested a seven- figure sum and undertaken a management buy-in of North View Engineering, of Darlington.

Mr Franklin has been looking for a suitable investment since selling his stake in Newcastle-based Cleanform, and following 18 months of talks he has now joined Jonathan Boggon as joint MD.

Mr Franklin said: “North View Engineering is a very successful organisation which has been built on solid foundations and providing a quality service.

“I felt that my experience of and knowledge of running another business, would be ideal to support the firm in its future growth plans.

“I am now looking forward to further developing the company’s existing client base and also see the oil and gas industry, where we are currently supplying organisations on an indirect basis, as a growth area for our products.”

Mr Franklin, 46, predicts an increase in turnover from its present level of £2.5m to £5m and a growth in the workforce from 50 to 80 in the next 12 to 18 months. North View has secured work on the SeaDragon oil rig project which has seen the Haverton Hill shipyard in Billingham re-open.

Mr Franklin added: “We want to expand this side of the business. There is tremendous growth in the oil and gas sector and will be for years to come as the price of oil rises and companies invest more in securing hard-to-get reserves.”

North View Engineering is a family business which was established in 1953 by Harold Boggon and has been in the hands of his son Jonathan in recent years.

Jonathan Boggon said: “I am delighted that David has come on board as a co-investor.

“I felt that, while I have been able to grow the business to the size it is now, in order to take it to another level I would require some support and assistance to realise its full potential.

“I believe David’s input will be invaluable in achieving this.”

He added: “This is a business which is renowned nationally and internationally throughout the construction, steel, process, offshore and manufacturing industries for the quality and range of machining and fabrication services it offers.”

Mr Franklin appointed Iain Richardson, of Tait Walker, to provide professional advice.

There is tremendous growth in the oil and gas sector and will be for years to come