Engineers mark half-century
An engineering firm is celebrating a half-century that has seen it become a major supplier to the mining and construction equipment industry.
Despite its name, Aldridge Fabrications has been based at Mount Road in Burntwood since 1967, 10 years after it was founded by a trio of local businessmen – Joe Green, Fred Jackson and Gordon Bowyer.
The current managing director, David Neville, joined the firm in 1969 as an accountant and was appointed to head the company in 1988 along with Ron Jackson who retired in 2004.
Aldridge Fabrications is a traditional heavy steel fabrication company and specialises in profiled and fabricated components up to 25 tonnes in weight.
It manufactures components for firms in the mining and construction equipment industry, including making counterbalance weights for 360 degree excavators and telescopic handling equipment, as well as shovels for large-wheeled loaders.
Around 156 people are employed at four Aldridge sites in the Burntwood, Brownhills and Cheadle area, with another 41 at a fifth site on Merseyside. Tim Chadwick, international purchasing manager, said this year company turnover will be around £20 million.
Mr Chadwick said: "Like any firm that came through the recessions of the early-1990s, we have experience turbulent times, but the current worldwide boom in mining and construction is providing us with a wealth of opportunities.
"As we reach our half century, there is a lot to celebrate at Aldridge Fabrications."
