• Site-constructed storage tanks - whatever the scale

    One of the leading operators in this specialist field, Motherwell Bridge’s Storage Tank business has the benefit of over 100 years’ experience delivering a remarkable variety of specialist solutions across the globe.

  • Multi-skilled, quick response heat exchanger workforce

    Specialists in shell and tube heat exchanger repair, Motherwell Bridge’s skilled employees can work in the harshest environment to provide you with what you need, when you need it.

  • Clayton Walker gasholder design and construction

    Motherwell Bridge has been an acknowledged expert and market leader in the design and construction of gasholders and gas recovery systems for over 170 years.

Business booms at Motherwell Bridge following global expansion

February 2013

Lanarkshire-based engineering contractor Motherwell Bridge has seen operating profit rise five-fold in the past two years following a string of high-profile overseas contracts.

The company has secured multi-million dollar contracts in Liberia in west Africa, Iraq,Turkey, Brazil, Mexico and India over the past 12 months which has led to the Motherwell Bridge order book growing by 80% on the same time last year.

From an operating profit of around £1 million two years ago, Motherwell Bridge expects to post profits of around £5 million for 2012.

The excellent results for 2012 demonstrate the wisdom of Motherwell Bridge chief executive Russell Ward’s strategy of concentrating on engineering, design and construction of storage tanks, gasholders and heat exchangers particularly in West Africa and developing regions like Brazil and India.

Following the sale of non-core product business Nayler Petroseals to US firm HMT Inc at the end of 2011, Motherwell Bridge is now firmly focused on providing bespoke construction and project management services for clients all around the world.

Among the recent contract wins, Motherwell Bridge has been brought in to renovate and construct 22 oil storage tanks near Monrovia in Liberia, West Africa.

Motherwell Bridge is the main contractor and will oversee the entire $22.5 million job – from modernising the ship offloading, pipeline and jetties at the site, to carrying out all of the civil engineering at the tank farm, demolishing redundant plant, constructing new bunding, laying foundations, constructing new tanks, laying pipelines, installing new pumps and electrical systems, developing new instrumentation and even installing new fire fighting systems.

The company is also providing technical assistance on the revamp of oil storage tanks in Northern Iraq for Norwegian oil and gas exploration company DNO International.

Motherwell Bridge has also won £3.7 million worth of contracts to provide a range of engineering, seals and technical assistance for seven major gasholder projects at steel plants across Turkey, Brazil, Mexico and India. The leadership team at Motherwell Bridge has also been strengthened, with John Smith returning to the company after eight years to head up its storage tanks division and Brian Roche joining from Aggreko to head up the groups QHSE function.

Russell Ward said: “We’ve increased the business performance through concentrating on the core areas where we have strategic advantage.

“We’ve been careful to take a sensible approach to business development overseas. We have teamed up with people who know the market and are resourced to allow projects to hit the ground running as soon as the ink is dry on the contracts.

“By focusing on storage tanks, gasholders and heat exchangers, we have been able to play to our strengths and really start to build the business again.

“At the same time, it has been clear we’ve needed to strengthen our senior management team and I believe we’ve done that through the re-appointment of John Smith and the recent appointment of Brian Roche.” Motherwell Bridge has also started offering opportunities for young people eager to begin their engineering careers.

The company is starting to adopt a skills academy approach to ensure its people are equipped to handle the complex and demanding jobs required by clients all over the world.

Russell Ward said: “Faced with something of a skills shortage, we have had to start developing our own people and we have made a significant investment in training.

“We have also been able to start offering apprenticeships again, which we consider an investment in the future of the business.

“The people with the skills we need are few and far between and many are well into their careers, which is why it’s vital we have young people coming in to the business who can stay with us for many years and who can safeguard the reputation and traditions of this great company into the future.”

Motherwell Bridge now employs around 260 people and seeks to add to this number in the years ahead as it aims to increase turnover to £60 million by 2015.