Turbine tower supplier makes award shortlist

Paul Boughton

Mabey Bridge, the UK’s largest supplier of onshore wind turbine towers, has been shortlisted for the next stage in the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards in the categories of ‘People Effectiveness’ and ‘Partnership with Education’.

The Chepstow-based company was recently visited by the MX expert assessors and David Davies MP, who was given the chance to operate a special crane at the Newhouse factory used to move the turbine towers around the site. Following this visit, a further shortlist will be drawn up and the companies selected will make a presentation to a distinguished judging panel at the Institution’s London headquarters before winners are announced at in September.

Chris Droogan, CEO of Mabey Bridge, said: “These are prestigious awards and we are delighted to have been shortlisted. As a company we recognise that our success is down to the dedication and expertise of the people who work here, and we encourage and support self-improvement by providing the highest levels of training, which in turn supports the company’s reputation for excellence.

“We also work closely with all levels of education, from local primary and secondary schools, through to national colleges and universities, to both promote engineering as a career and to support curriculum and courses, thereby helping to create and sponsor future generations of engineers. We host numerous visits and send our employees out to schools and colleges, and of course we are particularly proud of our award-winning apprenticeship programme.”

David Davies MP added: “I’m delighted that Mabey Bridge has been shortlisted in both of these important areas. If people are coming into a company it’s important they have a clear path and support for career progression. It means everyone is happier and more efficient in their work and everyone wins as a result.

“The work done with schools is excellent because manufacturing can still have something of a negative perception, when, as Mabey Bridge proves, the opposite is actually the case. Engineering can be a very rewarding and exciting career. Mabey Bridge is a very high-tech company and is the type of manufacturer that is doing wonders for the UK economy. This is an important message to get into schools and universities.”