Member Article

Weldrack sweeps up North East manufacturer

Engineering solutions company Weldrack has completed the acquisition of an historic North East manufacturing business.

Weldrack, which is based in Hunwick, County Durham, has completed the acquisition of Datum Roadsweepers, of Meadowfield, as part of plans to expand the business and reach into new markets.

Formerly trading as ‘Sturdiluxe’, Datum Roadsweepers design and manufacture industrial and agricultural sweeping attachments, and has been a stalwart in the market since the 1960s.

In testament to the build quality of its products, Datum still offers spares support for machines it built in the 1970s.

Weldrack, which provides supply chain solutions within construction, engineering and energy sectors, plan to use the established Datum brand to expand into new sectors and the international market.

With Datum’s owners looking to retire, Weldrack managing director Jeff Metcalfe and operating director Graham Emerson made the decision to acquire Datum as the Meadowfield company faced closure.

Now a member of NOF Energy, the business development organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors, the acquisition will eventually see Weldrack double its existing workforce to 16 employees as the existing business begins to feed into Datum Roadsweepers.

As part of the acquisition, Weldrack is putting efforts into expanding the Datum brand through utilising innovation within the creation of two new divisions, attachments and industrial, and reaching into both new and existing markets.

Mr Metcalfe said: “The move for the acquisition seemed to be one that made sense for us in our current phase of expansion, and for Datum as its owners and staff were ready to wind the business down.

“Being able to utilise the historic and reputable Datum Roadsweepers brand provides us with an exciting opportunity to innovate, expand both Weldrack and Datum services, and reach new markets.”

Joanne Leng MBE, deputy chief executive of NOF Energy, said: “Weldrack’s acquisition of Datum Roadsweepers shows great ambition and the confidence to move into new markets

“By taking on an esteemed business of high repute, Weldrack can revitalise an established brand in Datum, and contribute to the on-going growth of the energy sector through its expansion and innovation.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .