Darchem Engineering employee rises through ranks to become managing director

A long-standing employee of precision engineering firm Darchem Engineering has risen through the management ranks to become the new managing director of the Stillington-based company and is looking forward to managing the continued growth and expansion of the business as it approaches its 60th anniversary.

Billy Meijer has been with the firm for eight years, latterly in the role of divisional director of Fabrications at the Esterline Corporation owned company.

Mr Meijer becomes MD at a time when the firm has seen demand for its products increase by 11%, with turnover rising from £75.4 million in 2012 to £83.5m (year ending October 2013).

Darchem is experiencing rapidly increasing demand for its high-quality precision products across its customer base, particularly in the growing market for large scale nuclear fabrications.

The firm, which now has an 880-strong workforce, is in the final phase of the construction of its £8m 75,000sq ft. factory on a brownfield site next to its existing facility.

Mr Meijer will oversee the completion of the new factory with the generation of more than 80 new fabrication and welding jobs, as well as additional apprenticeship opportunities

Mr Meijer said: “I am delighted to take on the role of managing director of such a prominent, world class, precision engineering company.

“Darchem has a very highly skilled team who are supportive of change and with such a great team in place I am confident that we will achieve our accelerating growth strategy for the business.”

Mr Meijer brings with him more than 30 years’ experience in the aerospace, defence, marine and nuclear industries.

As business unit director, Mr Meijer was responsible for growing the aero-structures side of the business from £4.5 million to a £22.5 million turnover. He also managed the bid team who successfully won the firm’s first major nuclear contract in over 20 years with a sales value of £8 million.

Mr Meijer added: “I am looking forward to overseeing the firm’s continued growth and expansion as we move into 2014 and beyond. Within our diverse sectors covering Aerospace, Defence, Automotive and Energy, we have seen significant growth having won several new contracts and have further opportunities to bid for even more substantial projects, which is fuelling the need for our new production facility.”

Phil Bowker, platform president at Esterline Engineering Materials (California), said: “Billy has worked with Esterline for several years now and his appointment is significant. Darchem is a major local employer with a fantastic Teesside heritage that is moving into an exciting new stage of a sustained period of growth.

“This new appointment represents continuity against a background of change and rapid progress within the company, and I am delighted to welcome Billy to the role of Managing Director.”

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