Braithwaite Engineers (
www.braithwaite.co.uk) — a heavy-engineering company that has been in business since the 1880s — is to open a new steelwork fabrication facility in Baglan, Port Talbot.
The company has constructed railways, bridges, piers and steel-framed buildings world-wide — with a particular focus on India, where it built much of the railway network and rolling stock (it has also produced sectional water-storage tanks since the 1920s at its Neptune Works in Newport). It was taken over by Rowecord Holdings in 1987.
Managing director Ian Hoppé said: “We have taken on exceedingly experienced management and a core team of six highly skilled fabricators and welders, and we will build on this over the next few months. The jobs created have all been taken up by people local to the area, and we expect to increase the number of fabricators and welders to 20.”
Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas said: “At a time of concern about the future of the steel industry in Port Talbot, it is encouraging to see a firm with the heritage of Braithwaite investing in the future of the company and the town. It has already created skilled and well-paid jobs, and there will be more to follow.”