Member Article

Special brew for Express Engineering

A Tyneside Engineering firm celebrating 40 years in business has commissioned a special commemorative ale.

The Machinist – a best bitter beer – has been brewed by the Wylam Brewery to mark the anniversary.

Express Engineering, which supplies precision engineering services to various sectors including those of aerospace, sub sea oil and gas production, defence and medical, has come along way since its genesis in 1973.

Keith Thompson remortgaged his home to launch the business, which turned over around £30,000 in its first year, taking on three members of staff. More recently a £10 million expansion drive has boosted turnover to over £30million and has seen the company’s manufacturing floor space and staff levels double over the last five years. It now employs 300 people.

A series of events and activities have been planned for this 40th anniversary year – including the brewing of the special beer and a competition to name it.

Winner, Phil Lenier, Sales Manager, said: “The naming of the beer was supposed to reflect our company in some way. Machining is what we do and what we are best at, so ‘The Machinist’ and ‘best bitter’ seemed to be an ideal combination.

“Achieving 40 years in business is a fantastic milestone for any business and doing it in engineering in the North East is truly special. Hopefully after another 10 successful years we can engineer a name the Champagne competition!”

John Boyle, MD at The Wylam Brewery, said: “We are delighted to have been able to produce a great beer for Express Engineering’s 40th anniversary.

“What better way to celebrate a company Engineering components in the UK than with a traditional bespoke pint of English bitter. We wish them every success in the future.”

A specialist micro brewery based in Northumberland, the Wylam Brewery produces over a million pints and bottles of beer a year. Supplying pubs and specialist outlets throughout the North of England and Southern Scotland, The brewery’s beer has won many accolades over the years with their multi award winning Gold Tankard being probably the best selling ‘proper beer’ in the North East of England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .