Forth has officially opened a new £250,000 machine shop at its Maryport headquarters – bringing new manufacturing capability to the region and strengthening the local supply chain.
In inimitable fashion, the opening ceremony came with a twist. Instead of a ribbon being cut, a remotely controlled mini digger armed with a hydraulic shear was used to slice through a steel bar.
At the controls was guest of honour, Gareth Frazer, Head of Manufactured Products at Sellafield Ltd, who declared the facility open in front of staff, clients, and local partners.
The new machine shop enhances Forth’s ability to carry out complex precision work in-house, supporting faster turnaround times, greater control, and more work being delivered locally.
Gareth said the investment was a clear sign of Forth’s forward-thinking approach – and its value to the wider industry.
“Forth has always impressed with its ability to get things done – and done well,” he said. “This new facility is a perfect example of how they continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of their clients.
“Having this level of machining capability available locally makes a real difference – not just in terms of delivery and turnaround, but in the resilience and responsiveness of the supply chain as a whole.
“But beyond the technical side, Forth is also a business that invests in its people and community. They are outstanding employers and always looking for ways to give something back. That’s just as important as the engineering, and it’s what sets them apart.”
The new facility was delivered under the leadership of Forth Projects Director Graham Cartwright, who said the pace and teamwork involved had been exceptional.
“This really was a Herculean effort,” he said. “We set an almost impossible deadline and threw everything at it to get it done.
“On a lighter note, I took some inspiration from Clarkson’s Farm, which I watch with my son Eddie, where Jeremy set an almost unachievable goal of opening his new pub by bank holiday.
“I knew that if we could hit our deadline, and get the right people at the official opening, we would reap the awards – in the way Jeremy did when he achieved his goal.
“The pride the team has shown in delivering this has been fantastic to see – and now it’s up and running, it’s already proving its value.”
The machine shop is equipped to carry out high-specification precision engineering work, enabling Forth to manufacture complex components in-house to exacting standards.
It builds on the company’s acquisition of Workington-based HallPack Engineering and forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Forth’s in-house machining and fabrication capabilities.
The facility will support projects across sectors including nuclear, defence, and marine, helping to reduce lead times, enhance quality control, and deliver greater efficiency for clients.
Forth’s Managing Director Mark Telford said: “We’re always looking for ways to improve what we do – and this new facility adds a really important string to our bow.
“It gives us greater control over the work we deliver, brings new capability into the business, and opens up more opportunities for local suppliers.
“It’s a real win-win, and a brilliant example of how we want to grow – by investing in our people, our plant, and our community.”
