Fighting spirit helps engineers beat crisis
Oct 22 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
A “PHENOMENAL” effort by the management and staff of an engineering company has seen it recover after its offices were destroyed in a debilitating £250,000 flood.
As many businesses in Morpeth woke up to find their premises invaded by floodwater on September 6, down the road in Benton, Newcastle, a similar drama was unfolding.
The directors of North East Profiling & Engineering were alerted after 100 tonnes of rainwater flooded their two-storey office block.
But within a day they were manufacturing again and now, with the total refurbishment complete, they say their recovery will act as a springboard for further growth.
Managing director Pam Glew said: “It has been a phenomenal effort by our staff in the last few weeks. We have all pulled together to get things turned round as quickly as possible. It is impossible to describe our feelings when we saw the chaos following the roof collapse.
“Our thoughts at that time were with the residents of Morpeth, we had no idea that the damage and devastation would be as far reaching as us.
“It is equally hard to describe our feelings of gratitude to staff, customers, suppliers and business associates who got behind us 100% to ensure that this crisis did not turn into a drama.”
In the last few weeks, North East Profiling has replaced the roof, installed new computers and server, re-wired and re-plastered the building and the total repair bill, which is being met by insurers, comes in at £250,000. The company, which employs 30 people and has an annual turnover of £2.5m, believes its triumph over adversity will help act as a springboard for further growth.
As a manufacturer of metal profiles, light fabrications and general engineering work, it says there are ample opportunities in the local market, Scotland and Yorkshire, as well as in the offshore oil and gas market.
Ms Glew said: “It’s a case of full-steam ahead with the business. There are plenty of opportunities to take the business forward.”
She believes the company, which was founded in 1969, will start growing turnover in the coming months and will need additional staff.
Ms Glew added: “We are a North East company with North East staff, customers and suppliers. The incident brought out the very best of our regional fighting spirit.”
