Companies in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical industries can now benefit from the combined stainless-steel pipework and fabrication expertise of two specialist engineering businesses, following a recent acquisition by the Go 2 Engineering Group.

Peterborough-based 316 Engineering, an engineering firm which provides services in pipework, bead blasting and polishing, and specialises in stainless steel, is one of the latest companies to join the Group.

316 Engineering will work with Gateshead-based Tech Projects to provide end-to-end engineering solutions to help their customers be more productive and efficient. Tech Projects, a specialist stainless steel fabricator and manufacturer of conveyors, structural access solutions and material handling products, was acquired by the group in 2019.

Together, the two companies are able to provide nation-wide support to customers by offering their combined skills in pipework, pressure vessels and conveyors. This will deliver maximum benefits to customers, with the entire process – from design through to delivery – managed from a single source, rather than multiple contractors.

To support a growing order book and meet the demand for increased installation, service and maintenance services, the companies plan to create 10 new roles between them.

Tech Projects general manager Michael Donachie has also been appointed as General Manager at 316 Engineering to spearhead the relationship and oversee joint projects.

By combining their experience in pipework, polishing, conveyors and fabrication, the companies can deliver end-to-end solutions for a greater number of customers in the food and beverage, chemical and pharma industries.

The partnership means that 316 Engineering is now able to offer conveyors, through Tech Projects, to its customers’ processing lines, something that it was not previously able to offer and was sub-contracted to other suppliers.

Wide range of specialist engineering services
Go 2 Engineering Group has a growing portfolio of UK businesses which have been acquired to enable the group to provide a wide range of specialist engineering services. From precision machining to specialist fabrication and advanced design engineering, the group’s collective experience provides solutions from concept to production.

Peter Dodd, Go 2 Engineering Group managing director, said: “We are excited by the engineering capabilities 316 Engineering will add to our every-growing portfolio. Its addition to the Group strengthens our ability to expand our resources and capabilities and means we can be a ‘one-stop’ engineering shop. From design to production and testing, we can offer customers a wealth of skills and expertise to support a vast range of engineering projects.

“We have been extremely happy with the way Michael Donachie has developed Tech Projects in the last 12 months and how he has applied his 30 years’ plus of experience in manufacturing to spearhead the business.

“316 Engineering is a similar business size and set up to Tech Projects, and as such it felt like a completely natural move to appoint him as general manager. Michael’s most recent experience with the Go 2 Engineering Group will also help 316 Engineering integrate more seamlessly into the Group. He can support the growth of each business as well as seeking opportunities for the overall Group and joint projects between Tech Projects and 316 Engineering.”

Mr Donachie said: “In the last 12 months Tech Projects has made great progress in increasing the size and number of projects that we are delivering to our strong customer base. With the acquisition of 316 Engineering, I’m excited to be able to accelerate this growth further, as it provides more opportunities to work nationwide and also globally as 316 Engineering exports to the EU and Russia.

“The two companies have a great synergy, created by their specialisms in stainless steel and their design fabrication and installation capabilities.

“I look forward to growing the order book for both businesses with joint projects and it’s fantastic to be taking on 10 new members of staff to support demand.”

Tech Projects has more than 20 years’ experience and its team is able to provide comprehensive services in design, manufacture and install as well as repair and maintenance work. Its team also provides bespoke conveyor solutions to the food and drink, automotive and manufacturing industries.