Established nearly 100 years ago, Fowler and Holden, based in Grimsby, has two divisions – a foundry and an engineering workshop. Enquiries from the sub-sea market and the renewables sector have grown with the development of the facilities in and around Grimsby.

In order to fulfil their requirements, a £31,000 grant was awarded to support a £70,000 project to commission two new furnaces and purchase new equipment. This is the start of a £300,000 investment programme the company plans to roll out over the next year.

Glen Gaiger, managing director at the Railway Street business, said: “Recent years have seen turnover increase from £1 million to £2.2 million, and we are now trying to build on that with the help of the Regional Growth Fund. As well as the furnaces we are upgrading the shotblasting facilities, the electrics and a paint booth. This will lead us on to the next stage which will be another production line.”

The team is swelling from 26 to 30 in coming months, with at least one apprentice. Mr Gaiger praised Tim Maddinson, E-Factor business adviser, for support throughout the bidding process.

INCREASED TURNOVER: Nick Kitchen, left, technical director, and Glen Gaiger, left, managing director, pictured at the new shot-blasting facility at Fowler and Holden Limited, in Railway Street, Grimsby. Picture: Rick Byrne