Motherwell Bridge acquired Faber Design Consultancy last April. Faber provides front-end design engineering services to the nuclear and aerospace industries.

In addition to its existing aerospace activity at Motherwell Bridge made a substantial investment during the year in establishing a 60,000 sq. ft. modern engineering facility at Motherwell for further expansion. This follows the acquisition of a business from Lucas Aerospace in Burnley in 1999 which introduced the Company into the defence-related sector to complement their existing civil aerospace activities.

Traditional Businesses

In its more traditional engineering businesses the Company’s overseas business was very active with major project engineering contracts being undertaken in India. Dominican Republic and Brazil. There was however a downturn in demand for services provided to the oil and gas industry in the U.K.

Mr. Lumsden added:

"Last year saw the end of a three-year period of transition for the group during which it has been substantially reshaped. The Company is now in position to look forward with confidence to gaining benefit from the new structure and to grow in profitability in its targeted markets."