North East-based fabrication specialist WD Close & Sons is celebrating 40 years in the industry.
Established in 1983 by William (Bill) Dixon Close and based in Wallsend, WD Close & Sons Ltd has become one of the most respected and well-known fabrication businesses in the North East working with the sub sea, oil and gas and renewables sectors as well as being a strategic partner to the Ministry of Defence.
Still a family-owned business, the fabrication outfit is renowned for high-quality, industry-leading products. Now run by Bill’s son Chris Close and long-standing colleague and family friend Kelly Scott, the partnership are committed to taking the fabrication business to its next phase.
Chris Close, Managing Director at WD Close & Sons, said, “We are delighted to be celebrating our 40th anniversary. It’s a major milestone in the history of this business and one of which we are all immensely proud. We would like to thank each and every one of our clients for their support over the years. Their support has allowed us to build the business into a leading-industry fabrication business that is poised and ready for the next 40 years ”.
The fabrication business now has numerous fabrication halls operating 24/7 across the Carville site in Wallsend and the Valentia site in Walker. The addition of company controlled port facilities next to the former Swan Hunter site in Wallsend provides direct access to the Tyne via a 180 metre quay and benefits from security and workshop facilities.
With an eye on future-proofing the business, WD Close has joined forces with Newcastle College Energy Academy and Tyne Metropolitan College to take up to 20 apprentices per year working towards industry-recognised qualifications as it looks to develop a secure and highly-skilled workforce for the coming years.
Chris Close said, “Our business has grown on the back of our reliability and approach to designing and building high-quality steel fabrication solutions. Building on past achievements, we are committed to creating a forward-thinking business with a sustainable future and ensuring that we remain one of the go-to fabrication solutions for UK based businesses.”