Member Article

IPS Marine Fabrications double workforce in two years

Merseyside-based manufacturer IPS Marine Fabrications has doubled its workforce in the last year, with 30 employees now at the Birkenhead site.

Co-directors Paul Smith and Peter Hillan said their growth since 2011 has partly been down to its link with shipbuilders Cammell Laird, to which the firm supplies its products.

The relationship helped the firm to win further deals across the marine and commercial industrial sectors, including Liverpool-Belfast ferries, paper mills and hospitals across the North West.

IPS make insulation and fabricate steel and aluminium products, which it delivers to a range of organisations across the North West, although Mr Smith and Mr Hillan said they hope to expand out of the region.

Mr Smith commented: “The last 18 months have seen IPS working on a number of terrific high profile projects including the HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH aircraft carrier.

“This productive period has allowed us to invest and provide roles for our skilled local workforce. We are now determined to continue driving growth in both the maritime and commercial industrial sectors. Insulation work as a whole accounts for around 70pc of sales.

“However, there is huge scope and a growing demand for our sheet metal fabrication service. Our aim is to grow the fabrication side of the business so it accounts for half of sales.

“The region’s maritime sector is in an extremely strong position with a number of major construction, engineering and logistics projects planned over the next decade.

“Billions of pounds are due to be invested into the region with initiatives including Peel Port’s Post Panamax dock development, the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Mersey Multi Modal Gateway.

“We are determined to show we have the knowledge, skill and capability to help deliver these projects.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .