Member Article

Houghton International expands with multi-million pound win

Newcastle based, electro mechanical engineering specialist Houghton International has secured a two year contract with Great Western Railway for the overhaul and repair of alternators for its high speed trains.

The repair contract, which began this month, will see Houghton International expand into a new operations facility and invest in new machinery to service the increased work load.

Michael Mitten, CEO of Houghton International, commented: “Following a competitive tender process we are delighted to have been awarded the contract to repair and overhaul the HST alternators for GWR.

“We have significant experience in this area, having carried out a repair for GWR last year which led to improved performance of the alternator.

“To deliver the contract we will be expanding into new premises, investing in new machinery and expanding the range of services we offer to the rail industry.”

The multi million pound repair and maintenance contract will see 108 alternators being overhauled over a two year period. Throughout the course of the contract Houghton International will work closely with German engine manufacturer MTU, who secured the contact to overhaul the engines that work alongside the alternators.

Houghton International specialises in the repair, maintenance and life extension of electrical mechanical assets servicing a broad range of sectors including power generation, renewables, industrial, water, oil and gas, marine and rail. Having worked in the Rail industry upwards of 10 years,

Houghton International is now looking to expand the range of specialist services it offers its customers, focusing on innovation to solve issues and improve performance of electro mechanical machines.

Prior to the contract win, Houghton International has seen a steady growth in business, recently investing in plant and machinery, recruiting three new apprentices, three trainees and three additional members to its management team. The company is positioning itself for further growth and have plans increase turnover to £20million turnover by 2020. To support this the company expects to take on around 150 new employees, invest £2million into R&D and expand into new manufacturing space to accommodate the increase in demand over the next four years.

Founded in 1984, Houghton International has expanded over the last 30 years into a multi-million pound, multinational business. The company has grown from originally serving one customer to now working with over 200 customers in the UK and beyond. Houghton International currently export to over 23 countries worldwide, including Canada, Greece, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway, Venezuela, Malaysia, the Middle East, the USA and the Caribbean.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tiffany Scott .