Member Article

Demand for green solutions boosts sales

Increasing demand for renewable energy solutions is driving sales in a new market sector for a Shropshire manufacturer.

More widely known for its innovative access covers for road, rail and major infrastructure projects, Fabweld Steel Products is branching out into the environmental sector following investment of nearly £500,000 in equipment and facilities, which is helping it tap into a green market worth more than £6m per year.

The Telford-based company recently completed a project as part of a £22 million scheme in Buckinghamshire working alongside British Gas’s Econergy division and one of the UK’s leading sustainable construction companies, BAM.

BAM and Econergy contracted Fabweld to work on a biomass installation including a wood chip boiler system at Aylesbury Vale Academy, in Aylesbury. The brief was to develop a bespoke steel cover for a hopper which feeds wood chip fuel to the boiler system.

Managing director Richard Hilton said the Madeley-based R&D team had come up with a number of designs which had progressed to the production stage.

He said: “We have an established working relationship with Econergy, the green arm of British Gas which works on renewable energy projects. They contacted us as they know we have the latest equipment and the creative and technical talent to come up with bespoke solutions.

“In addition, we recently invested in a new £350,000 laser machine purchased specifically with projects like this in mind. It allow us to have flexibility in the design and production process as well as cutting production times.

“The new Academy has a biomass boiler system and storage for the wood chip fuel is contained within a larger hopper which required an access cover to protect the integrity of the fuel. It also needed to be easy to install and safe for a single person operation.”

Fabweld’s 3000x2000mm cover in structural grade sheet steel is part of a frame installed in a subterranean chamber where the wood chips are stored.

Mr Hilton added: “Renewable heating solutions are increasingly being installed in public sector projects and in retro-fit schemes in schools and hospitals. Ensuring the quality of the fuel by protecting it from the elements and outside contamination is vital and is providing a new market sector for our access covers.”

Aylesbury Vale Academy is the first scheme within Buckinghamshire County Council’s next construction phase which will deliver three new schools worth in excess of £40m.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fabweld Steel Products .