Complete Fabrication Services on the move

Mar 8 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A FLEDGLING steel manufacturing business which has increased its turnover almost tenfold over the past five years is looking to continue its expansion after moving to a bigger factory.

Complete Fabrication Services, which makes bespoke sheet metal and steel components for the chemical, pharmaceutical and marine industries, is planning to step up production after moving from Gateshead to new premises at Kings Court, Jarrow.

The business has grown from a £100,000 turnover to £900,000 in 2008-2009. The company, led by managing director Darren Carlisle, from South Shields, now has 12 full-time employees.

He said: “I’m very pleased with our move to South Tyneside. As a local lad I knew what to expect and I haven’t been disappointed.

“As 99% of our employees are from the borough it’s now very easy for them to get to work. Jarrow is also very central for all the major companies we work with.”

Darren is a time-served sheet metal worker who moved from the shop floor into the drawing office at a previous employer around 10 years ago, and then moved into project management before purchasing Moore’s Sheet Metal in 2005. The name was changed to Complete Fabrication Services before a change of legal status to a limited company in 2007.

Councillor Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “In these tough economic times it is encouraging to see a manufacturing business doing well. Complete Fabrication Services is a great example of what can be achieved with drive and determination and using local skills. The business has created jobs and added to the manufacturing capacity of South Tyneside.”