Company Expansion to NW England
Left to right Ryan Scott, Chris Roberts, Keith Hodgson and Stephen Jones at a new project in Marston Vale
AJ Engineering has expanded to the north-west of England with the employment of a new eight-man team.
The new employees include a project manager, estimator and six steel er ectors/cladders and supervisors.
Three of the steel erectors/cladders and supervisor have already been given a ‘curveball’ by being deployed on their first AJE project to Stronsay to work on a substation building for SSE.
The team was put in place after Graham Alexander made contact with Contracts Manager Chris Roberts.
Lee Thompson, Martin Jones and Ross Pattinson.
Chris said: “Graham made the initial contact regarding a potential opportunity which was discussed in greater detail when I came up to meet them in Forres and learn more about AJE. I was very impressed with the scale of the operation and the plans for further growth and expansion which was evident with the investment of the Waterford facilities. Whilst fabrication and construction of steel framed buildings is at the heart of the business, there is great diversity in other areas of engineering like the CNC machining facility. There is an emphasis on providing quality which is enhanced with the very impressive resume of accreditations.”
Chris explained: “I have been involved with the construction of steel framed buildings for most of my career and have worked on many large scale projects for the tier 1 constructors including large pharmaceutical companies. After speaking with Graham and Alan, it became very clear that because of our location, we could expand the team and AJE’s presence in the north-west of England.
“It also means that the whole team is a known entity and the supply chains that have been formed over the years would be keen to maintain those connections.
“Already AJE have secured projects in the pharmaceutical sector that were incomplete due to the collapse of Border Steelworks. We have an opportunity to build on the current portfolio of projects in other areas and show what AJE can provide.”
Chris added: “We have also brought on Andrew Poole who had been the head of estimating for Border Steelwork for a number of years. Andrew is very experienced, working for some of the UK’s largest construction companies, over his career and we are pleased to have him. Andrew’s knowledge of the industry and his connections will allow us to tender for projects that we may not have had the opportunity.
Speaking of the project in Stronsay, Chris laughed: “It wasn’t what was anticipated but the team have completely embraced it. They have been well looked after and have integrated well. They are well used to travelling all over the UK, but must admit, there has not been anything as remote as this until now.”
As well at the HQ in Forres and its sister company NEWCo located in Fort William, AJE now boasts a base in London headed by business development representative Lee Binks and now its new base in Carlisle.
Alan James said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the new team to AJE. Chris and the team will bring a whole new wealth of knowledge about the industry south of the border. They have great connections and we have no doubt they will add to the AJE portfolio.”
