UK engineering services company Wilton Universal Group has acquired a manufacturing facility on Haverton Hill in north-east England from the EEW Special Pipe Constructions, the parent company of EEW Offshore Structures Britain (OSB).
The acquisition extends to 23 hectares adjacent to its current Teesside base creating a combined 45-hectare site on the banks of the River Tees.
Wilton said up to 200 new jobs could be generated at the site, which includes large workshops, a blast and paint facility, slipways and a wet dock, will be utilised for projects in the offshore wind, tidal, hydrogen and other green energy sectors.
The site will also maximise its capacity for logistics and storage capability to service its existing and future client base, the company said.
It also contains land for further expansion or to welcome other companies who would benefit from its riverside location, which is within the Freeport Sub Customs Zone.
For example, Universal Coatings & Services is operate the 1700 square-metre paint facility to further increase capacity alongside its existing 11,500 square-metre blast and coating operation.
Wilton Universal Group was supported in the transaction with finance from FW Capital and a grant from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
Legal advice was provided by law firm Muckle.
Wilton Universal Group chief executive Bill Scott said: “This significant expansion of our facilities will create the capacity to secure more work in key markets.
“We have a strong pipeline of opportunities in the defence industry, but we are also confident that we can utilise this additional facility to deliver more complex fabricated structures for the offshore renewables sector, given the chance.
“This transaction also supports the long-term sustainability of our business and the role it has to play in Teesside’s exciting industrial future.
“I want to personally thank FW Capital, Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and our advisors at Muckle who have been exceptionally supportive and worked at an incredible speed to ensure we reached a successful outcome.
“In addition, we were pleased to come to a conclusion with the owners, EEW SPC of Germany with whom we have enjoyed a harmonious contractual relationship with throughout their tenure on the facility and we wish them luck with their endeavours in the worldwide monopile market.”
EEW OSB former managing director Sascha Hofmeister said: “We are very pleased that Wilton, one of our long-term partners, has decided to acquire the EEW OSB site in order to increase its logistics and storage capacity. We wish Wilton all the best for their future business.”